VP Business Development

MCI Group; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

401K

Family building benefit

Job summary

MCI Group in the United States is seeking a VP, SEM&I Corporate Business Development to drive growth in the corporate and incentive events market. You will develop strategic opportunities, manage high‑value accounts, and lead cross‑functional teams across our global network.

This role demands a strong track record in business development, complex negotiations, and financial stewardship. Travel will be required to engage clients and industry events.

Qualifications

• Progressive experience in business development, sales and strategic account management in corporate events or related services.
• Proven ability to build pipelines, secure engagements and achieve revenue goals.
• Strong knowledge of corporate events, incentive programs, and delivery requirements.
• Experience leading solution development, proposals, pricing and negotiations.
• Ability to manage strategic client portfolios and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute growth strategy for US corporate and incentive events market.
• Monitor market trends, client needs and opportunities to guide priorities.
• Generate and manage a robust pipeline of prospective clients through outreach and networks.
• Lead client presentations, pricing discussions, and contract negotiations.
• Oversee transitions from sales to delivery and ensure quality and profitability.
• Provide strategic oversight for secured accounts and maintain executive relationships.

Skills

Business development

Sales

Strategic account management

Client relationships

Market intelligence

Negotiation

Cross-functional leadership

Executive presence

Financial stewardship

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or related field

Advanced degree a plus

Tools

CRM systems

Forecasting tools

Pipeline management

Job description

We are an independent global marketing communications group with a human‑first approach. We connect strategy, creativity, technology and operations to help brands and organisations grow with purpose. Our global network supports more than 1,200 clients across 34 countries, backed by over 35 years of experience. Under the mci group umbrella, our agencies bring together world‑class talent in strategy, creative development, account leadership, technology, production and research to shape meaningful, lasting impact.

JOB OBJECTIVE

The VP, SEM&I Corporate Business Development will drive profitable growth in the U.S. corporate and incentive events market by developing new business, expanding strategic client relationships, and managing the resulting portfolio of accounts. This role will identify market opportunities, build a qualified pipeline, lead proposals and negotiations, collaborate across MCI’s global network, and oversee the successful and financially responsible delivery of client programs. #LI- Remote#

COMPENSATION: $150,000 annually plus + Commission , based on relevant experience and skills.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

The VP, SEM&I Corporate Business Development will be responsible for building a book of business across the corporate and incentive portfolios.

Key responsibilities:

• Business Development Strategy: Develop and execute a comprehensive growth strategy for the U.S. corporate and incentive events market that expands market share and achieves revenue and profitability objectives.
• Market Intelligence: Monitor market trends, competitors, client needs, and emerging opportunities to inform business development priorities and go‑to‑market strategies.
• Pipeline Development: Generate, qualify, prioritize, and manage a robust pipeline of prospective clients through targeted outreach, referrals, digital platforms, industry networks, and existing relationships.
• Industry Engagement: Represent MCI at key industry events, including PCMA, CEMA, Connect Marketplace, and other relevant forums; attend prospective client events to strengthen relationships and identify opportunities.
• Strategic Relationship Development: Build and maintain executive‑level relationships with prospective clients, strategic partners, industry organizations, stakeholders, and key decision‑makers.
• Global Account Expansion: Partner with MCI’s global business development teams to strengthen existing master service agreement relationships, pursue cross‑border opportunities, and expand services for global clients in the U.S.
• Solution and Proposal Leadership: Lead the development of client strategies, tailored solutions, presentations, pricing approaches, and proposals in collaboration with business unit leaders, Marketing, and other internal partners.
• Sales and Contract Negotiation: Lead client presentations, pricing discussions, contract negotiations, and closing activities to secure profitable, mutually beneficial agreements.
• Portfolio and Client Management: Provide strategic oversight for secured accounts, serve as a senior client contact, and maintain alignment with client goals, expectations, and service standards throughout the relationship.
• Account Transition and Program Delivery: Lead the transition of new business from sales to delivery, establishing clear scope, objectives, roles, timelines, success measures, and governance while overseeing program execution, quality, risk management, and post‑program reviews.
• Financial Performance: Oversee account budgets, forecasts, revenue, expenses, and net profit performance; identify financial risks and implement timely corrective actions.
• Cross‑Functional Leadership: Lead event professionals and cross‑functional teams assigned to the portfolio, establish clear accountability, remove barriers, and promote operational excellence and successful client outcomes.
• Client Retention and Growth: Monitor client satisfaction, resolve escalated concerns, identify renewal and expansion opportunities, and cross‑sell relevant MCI capabilities.
• Forecasting and Reporting: Maintain accurate pipeline and account records and provide leadership with timely forecasts, performance reports, business development updates, and strategic recommendations.
• All other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Required Qualifications

• Significant progressive experience in business development, sales, and strategic account management within corporate events, incentive travel, meetings, hospitality, or a related professional services environment.
• Demonstrated success building and managing a book of business, developing qualified pipelines, securing complex client engagements, and achieving revenue and profitability goals.
• Strong knowledge of corporate events and incentive programs, including market trends, client expectations, competitive dynamics, event operations, and program‑delivery requirements.
• Experience leading solution development, proposals, pricing strategies, client presentations, contract negotiations, and sales‑closing activities.
• Proven ability to manage strategic client portfolios, oversee the transition of new business to delivery teams, resolve escalated concerns, and identify retention, expansion, and cross‑selling opportunities.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience managing budgets, forecasts, revenue, expenses, margins, and account profitability.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence cross‑functional teams and indirect reports within a matrixed, global organization.
• Excellent executive presence and written, verbal, presentation, relationship‑building, and negotiation skills.
• Strong strategic thinking, judgment, problem‑solving, organization, and decision‑making skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and customer relationship management, pipeline tracking, forecasting, and reporting tools.
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed for client meetings, industry events, program delivery, and internal collaboration.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, hospitality, event management, or a related field; an advanced degree is a plus.
• Established relationships within the corporate and incentive events industry and an existing network of prospective clients, partners, and industry stakeholders.
• Experience pursuing cross‑border opportunities and expanding global master service agreement relationships within the U.S. market.

PROFESSIONAL AND LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

• Strategic and Commercial Acumen: Translates market intelligence and organizational priorities into focused growth strategies, sound commercial decisions, and sustainable business results.
• Results Orientation: Establishes ambitious goals, maintains accountability, and drives disciplined execution to achieve revenue, profitability, and client‑retention objectives.
• Client Focus: Builds trusted relationships, anticipates client needs, delivers meaningful value, and responds effectively to complex or escalated concerns.
• Executive Presence and Influence: Communicates with confidence and credibility, presents compelling recommendations, and influences senior stakeholders and decision‑makers.
• Relationship and Network Building: Develops productive internal and external partnerships and leverages professional networks to advance strategic opportunities.
• Collaboration Across Boundaries: Works effectively across business units, functions, cultures, and geographies to align resources and deliver integrated solutions.
• Leadership and Team Enablement: Provides clear direction, establishes accountability, empowers contributors, and removes barriers to strong team performance.
• Judgment and Decision‑Making: Evaluates complex information, assesses risk, and makes timely, balanced decisions in situations requiring discretion and independent judgment.
• Financial Stewardship: Applies strong financial discipline to pricing, forecasting, budgeting, margin management, and investment decisions.
• Adaptability and Resilience: Remains effective amid shifting priorities, ambiguity, and changing client or market conditions while maintaining focus and professionalism.
• Integrity and Accountability: Demonstrates sound ethics, protects confidential information, honours commitments, and acts in the best interests of clients and the organization.

SPECIFIC TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, CRM, pipeline management, forecasting, and reporting tools.
• Ability to develop proposals, executive presentations, pricing models, scopes of work, and business cases.
• Strong budgeting, revenue forecasting, margin analysis, and profitability‑management skills.
• Working knowledge of corporate and incentive event planning, delivery, supplier coordination, and risk management.
• Experience reviewing commercial terms, master service agreements, statements of work, and pricing structures.
• Proficiency with project‑management tools and market, client, and sales‑data analysis.

ADDITIONAL LOCAL REQUIREMENTS

• Travel may be required to attend in‑person meetings at an MCI USA office or

Benefits Summary

• MCI USA is an established, family‑friendly company offering outstanding benefits and significant growth opportunities.
• PTO:13 paid company holidays, including closure Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day
• 401K:Medical, dental, vision and supplementary insurances
• Employer‑paid family building benefit (fertility, adoption and surrogacy)

mci group is where you can bring your true self to work and be pround of what you do. Join us and make a difference!