Vice President, Business Development

Orchestra; Washington; Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Orchestra is seeking a Vice President of Business Development to join the Growth team. This role focuses on driving and developing business development strategies across Orchestra members. The ideal candidate is entrepreneurial with strong background in business development and management, reporting to the Head of Growth.

The position is based in New York or Washington, D.C. on a hybrid basis, with the Growth team in-office at least 3 days per week.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience in agency settings, nonprofit/philanthropy/advocacy or political campaigns.
• Experience shaping business development processes and directing new business strategies.
• Excellent project management, prioritization, and cross-team coordination.
• Strong writing and research skills enabling compelling proposals and content.

Responsibilities

• Manage the business development program for a Orchestra vertical with Head of Growth leadership.
• Lead high-value opportunities from qualification through pitch delivery, including proposal strategy.
• Coordinate integrated teams across firms and practice areas, mobilizing cross-functional resources.
• Shape voices and tones of proposals tailored to client and market needs.
• Track pipeline, revenue trends, growth patterns and market insights.
• Advise client teams and practice leaders to identify gaps and prepare pitches.
• Leverage AI and emerging tech to improve efficiency and compliance in proposal processes.
• Support Growth team management: capacity planning and professional development.

Skills

Business development leadership

Project management

Proposal writing

Multitasking

Research & writing

Job description

ABOUT ORCHESTRA

Orchestra is a strategic communications and marketing company built for today’s complex and fragmented world. From decoding audiences to designing bold strategies, Orchestra integrates people, platforms, and stories that stick to help clients build lasting influence. The company offers programs that span from the highest level strategic business counsel through to tactical execution. Orchestra brings together 700+ people with experience across nonprofit and philanthropy, consumer and lifestyle, technology, real estate, sports, travel, hospitality, and more. Made up of leading firms BerlinRosen, Civitas Public Affairs Group, Derris, Glen Echo Group, Inkhouse, M18, Message Lab, Onward and Small Girls PR. It also launched Brightmode, a talent acquisition firm for communications professionals, and Versus Media Group, a strategy-first political media team. Learn more at www.orchestraco.com.

People of all backgrounds and abilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Orchestra is committed to building and maintaining a diverse staff, and recognizes that its continued success depends on hiring and retaining high-quality creative professionals with a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Opportunities for advancement exist, and we are committed to helping all staff develop and grow.

ABOUT THE GROWTH TEAM

The Growth team is responsible for shaping Orchestra’s new business and growth strategy, focusing on integrating capabilities across firms, driving new business engagement and providing expert counsel on how to shape business growth for new clients across Orchestra and Orchestra companies.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

Orchestra is seeking a Vice President, Business Development to join our Growth team. This role will focus on driving and developing business development strategies and strategists across multiple organizations within the Orchestra network. The person best suited to this role will be an entrepreneurial self-starter, ideally with strong backgrounds in business development and management. This person will report directly to the Head of Growth of Growth.

Please note that this is not a sales job.

Role location: This role is based in our New York, N.Y. or Washington, D.C. office on a hybrid basis. The Impact team is in-office at least 3 days per week.

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

As a Vice President, Business Development on the Growth team, you will…

• Manage the business development program for one of Orchestra’s verticals in partnership with the Head of Growth, including intake, prioritization, ownership, and resourcing of opportunities
• Lead high-value and strategic business development opportunities from qualification through pitch delivery, including shaping proposal strategy, advising client teams, ensuring RFP adherence, and driving successful outcomes
• Build and coordinate integrated teams across Orchestra companies and practice areas, mobilizing resources across Client Management, Integrated Marketing, Operations, Finance, Contracts and creative teams as needed
• Lead business development strategy including shaping the voice and tone of proposals, identifying differentiators, and crafting compelling pitch strategies tailored to client and market needs
• Track, monitor, and report on strategic and high-value opportunities, including pipeline activity, revenue trends, growth patterns, and market insights
• Analyze industry, client, and communications trends to proactively identify growth opportunities and inform business development priorities across key sectors
• Serve as a strategic advisor and coach to client teams and practice leaders by identifying gaps in service, recommending integrated solutions, and preparing teams for pitches and presentations
• Leverage AI and emerging technologies to improve business development efficiency, research capabilities, compliance checks, and proposal development processes
• Support Growth team management, including capacity planning, cross-functional collaboration, professional development, and team-wide initiatives
• Work individually with team members to strengthen business development capabilities, expand networks, and foster skills development across the team
• Help frame, draft, and maintain qualitative and quantitative business development reporting and ensure accurate recordkeeping and process management

Essential skills:

• 10+ years of professional experience, preferably in an agency setting, ideally working on nonprofit, philanthropy, advocacy, political or impact campaigns
• Experience in business development, including shaping business development processes, directing new business strategies and developing sharp, tailored proposals
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to prioritize work streams and track progress across multiple teams
• Expert multitasking skills with the ability to handle multiple projects at once, work quickly and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment with high attention to detail
• Strong writing and research skills that ensure that every stone is overturned along with the creation of sharp, compelling content

Preferred skills:

• Experience in public relations
• Experience in philanthropy, issue advocacy or in politics
• Experience at a firm or agency

WORKING AT ORCHESTRA

Salary (commensurate with experience and skills): $135,000-$160,000

Vice Presidents are eligible for end of year bonuses based on firm, team and individual performance.

Orchestra is the first communications company built for today’s media landscape. Since 2022, it’s acquired nine firms, including: BerlinRosen, Civitas Public Affairs Group, Derris, Glen Echo Group, Inkhouse, M18, Message Lab, Onward and Small Girls PR. It also launched Brightmode, a talent acquisition firm for communication professionals. Learn more at www.orchestraco.com.