Head of Business Development

Lever, Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Robbins Recruiting Solutions partners with a private equity-backed commercial landscaping platform to recruit a Head of Business Development. You will own a targeted acquisition pipeline, build relationships with landscape business owners, and collaborate with the Head of M&A to convert opportunities into qualified deals.

This role is remote with regular travel across priority markets; the ideal candidate is a proven relationship builder with an established industry network, comfortable managing

Qualifications

• Proven relationship builder with credibility with owners.
• Bachelor's degree preferred but not required; industry relationships and track record matter more.

Responsibilities

• Own and cultivate a targeted pipeline of potential acquisition partners across priority markets.
• Develop and maintain a strong referral network with industry professionals, former owners, brokers and others.
• Identify and qualify potential acquisition partners based on strategic fit, owner motivation and timing.
• Create meetings for the Head of M&A to lead valuation, NDA and negotiations.
• Maintain CRM activity and document conversations, follow-up, and next steps.
• Represent the organization at relevant industry events and build visibility within the landscaping community.

Skills

Relationship building

Industry network

CRM experience

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

HubSpot

Job description

Head of Business Development – Commercial Landscaping

Location: Remote | Regular Travel Required
Industry: Commercial Landscaping / Private Equity-Backed Services
Position Type: Full-Time

About the Opportunity

Robbins Recruiting Solutions is partnering with a rapidly growing, private equity-backed commercial landscaping platform to identify a Head of Business Development.

This is a unique opportunity to join a newly formed platform that is building a national network of high-quality, founder-owned commercial landscaping businesses. The organization is focused on helping strong local operators scale while preserving the people, customer relationships, reputation, and culture that made their businesses successful.

The Head of Business Development will play a critical role in the platform’s acquisition growth strategy by developing relationships with landscaping business owners across priority markets. This is not a traditional M&A execution role. Instead, it is a relationship-driven origination position for someone who knows how to connect with owners, build credibility over time, identify the right opportunities, and create meaningful conversations.

What You’ll Do

You will own and cultivate a targeted pipeline of potential acquisition partners across priority markets, working closely with the Head of M&A to turn relationships into qualified opportunities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Build direct relationships with commercial landscaping business owners and founders through introductions, industry relationships, market visits, meetings, site visits, and consistent long-term outreach.
• Develop and maintain a strong referral network of industry professionals, former owners, property managers, brokers, suppliers, and other market connectors.
• Identify and qualify potential acquisition partners based on strategic fit, owner motivation, and timing.
• Create qualified meetings and introductions for the Head of M&A, who will lead valuation, financial review, NDA, and transaction negotiations.
• Remain involved throughout the early stages of the process to provide continuity and maintain trusted owner relationships.
• Develop deep knowledge of priority markets, key operators, competitive dynamics, and potential acquisition targets.
• Maintain disciplined CRM activity and accurately document conversations, introductions, follow-up activity, and next steps.
• Represent the organization at relevant industry events and build visibility within the commercial landscaping community.
• Partner with operating leaders across the platform to gather market intelligence and strengthen relationships with prospective partners.

What We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate is a proven relationship builder and business developer who understands how to earn the trust of business owners.

Strong candidates may come from one of several backgrounds:

• Commercial landscaping or grounds maintenance, particularly a senior sales or business development professional with an established industry network.
• Business development or acquisition origination within a private equity-backed services platform or multi-location services organization.
• Former landscaping business owner or senior operator who has built, scaled, or exited a business.

Prior M&A experience is not required.

We are particularly interested in candidates who bring:

• Established relationships within commercial landscaping, grounds maintenance, or closely related services.
• A true hunter mentality with a track record of proactively developing new relationships and opportunities.
• Strong credibility with founders and business owners.
• Excellent judgment and the ability to understand an owner's goals, motivations, and timing.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Comfort managing a large pipeline of long-term relationships across multiple markets.
• Experience using HubSpot or another CRM to manage activity and pipeline.
• An entrepreneurial, self-motivated, resilient approach.
• Willingness to travel regularly to build relationships in priority markets.

A bachelor's degree is preferred but not required; industry relationships, credibility, and a demonstrated track record are more important.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role will be measured by the strength and coverage of the relationship pipeline, qualified owner conversations and meetings, warm introductions, progression of opportunities through the acquisition process, and ultimately deals sourced and closed.

Compensation

This position offers a base salary plus uncapped variable compensation, with earnings tied directly to successful business development activity and transactions. Incentives include milestone-based payments as opportunities progress, with the largest rewards tied to successfully closed deals.

Why This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to get in early with a well-capitalized, high-growth platform and help shape its expansion from the ground up. For someone who has strong industry relationships and enjoys the hunt, this role offers significant autonomy, direct exposure to senior leadership, and the ability to participate financially in the value of the opportunities they create.