Business Development Director

CBRE, Inc. is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, serving clients in over 100 countries. We offer an integrated suite of services, from property sales/leasing, site selection, integrated portfolio analytics, construction, and facilities management to name a few. Our brand is synonymous with market leadership, data-driven insights, and enterprise-level client solutions.

Director of Business Development & Client Strategy (Private Equity Buyout Firm Focus)

The Opportunity

We are seeking an ambitious and results‑oriented Director of Business Development to significantly drive revenue growth by focusing on the Private Equity sector (non‑real‑estate). This is a critical, high‑impact sales role for a professional with a proven background in business development within consulting or professional services. The successful candidate will be responsible for originating new relationships with financial sponsors, converting opportunities into active engagements, and ensuring highly disciplined execution of our go‑to‑market strategy.

What You Will Do: Sales & Business Development

• Aggressive Prospecting & Origination: Systematically identify, target, and pursue new business opportunities within middle‑market M&A private equity sponsors.
• Relationship Conversion: Build and nurture relationships, converting introductions from events, conferences, and existing networks into active opportunities.
• Deal Qualification & Framing: Qualify opportunities, frame value, and prepare client‑ready deliverables, with growing accountability over a 12‑to‑24‑month period.
• Strategic Messaging: Partner with marketing and firm leaders to shape brand, message, proposals, and campaigns aligned with CBRE’s Private Equity Practice Group.

What You Will Do: Client Strategy & Program Management

• Data Integrity: Stand up CRM and ensure data integrity to provide accurate forecasting and drive strategic decision‑making.
• Coverage Momentum: Contribute to coverage meetings by capturing insights, managing follow‑ups, and driving next steps to maintain momentum with prospective and key accounts alike.
• Account Oversight: Oversee consistent, strategic account management, supported by resources for administrative execution, ensuring long‑term client retention.
• Campaign Execution: Apply a program management discipline to business development campaigns, client pursuits, and sales enablement initiatives.
• Performance Insights: Deliver clear ROI as demonstrated by KPIs, analysis, and insights to company leadership; recommend improvements to coverage models and services to maximize revenue impact.

What You’ll Need

To perform this job successfully, an individual will need to perform each crucial duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The ideal candidate possesses a rare combination of sales acumen, execution discipline, and relevant domain expertise. Education: Bachelor’s degree from a top undergraduate program. Location: Located in or willing to relocate to Chicago or New York.

Industry Expertise

• Familiarity with middle‑market private equity, particularly private equity sponsors, investment banks, consultants, attorneys, lenders, and other vendors that serve sponsors.
• Experience executing solutions across one or more of CBRE’s solutions (e.g., portfolio services, due diligence, transaction management).

Sales Acumen

• Demonstrated business development capabilities: origination, relationship advancement, and revenue conversion.
• Strong understanding of professional services sales cycles from prospecting through proposal.
• Track record of success in high‑pressure, client‑facing environments.

Professional Skills & Mindset

• Strong executive presence and communication skills capable of engaging C‑suite decision‑makers.
• Proven ability to thrive in lean, fast‑moving teams; driven and able to work independently.
• High attention to detail, responsiveness, and an ownership mindset.
• Invested in a team‑based culture, motivated to collaborate in office, and willing to travel for client visits, events, conferences, etc., as needed.

Compensation

CBRE carefully considers multiple factors to determine compensation, including a candidate’s education, training, and experience. The minimum salary for the Business Development Director position is $197,000 annually and the maximum salary for the Business Development Director position is $250,000 annually. The compensation that is offered to a successful candidate will depend on the candidate’s skills, qualifications, and experience. Successful candidates will also be eligible for a discretionary bonus based on CBRE’s applicable benefit program.

Equal Employment Opportunity

CBRE is an equal‑opportunity employer that values diversity. We have a long‑standing commitment to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, veteran status, political belief, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

Candidate Accommodations

CBRE values the differences of all current and prospective employees and recognizes how every employee contributes to our company’s success. CBRE provides reasonable accommodations in job application procedures for individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request via email at or via telephone at (U.S.) and (Canada). Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future.

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