Director, Business Development -Elior Independent School of Dining- Northeast

September 28, 2026

Other Jobs To Apply

No other job posts for this day.

Job Reference Number: 42422Employment Type: Full-Time, RemoteSegment: EducationBrand: Elior-Independent-School-DiningLocation: Philadelphia, PA; New York, NY; New Jersey; Boston, MA; or Pittsburgh, PA.The Role at a glance:We are looking for a Director of Business Development to drive new business growth within Elior Independent Schools. This is a highly field-based role focused on identifying, developing, and winning new client partnerships with private and independent schools throughout the assigned territory.This is a true hunter sales role. Success requires someone who is comfortable building their own pipeline from the ground up. You will be expected to proactively identify target organizations, make connections, cold call, network, prospect, and create opportunities.You will own opportunities throughout a consultative sales cycle—and develop relationships with senior decision-makers, including heads of school, school administrators, business officers, finance leaders, trustees, and other campus decision makers.This role requires significant travel, typically 60–75%, to meet prospects, attend industry events, develop relationships, and pursue new business opportunities.The Director of Business Development reports to the Managing Director of Growth.If you thrive on building relationships, creating opportunities where none existed before, and winning new business, we’d love to hear from you.What you'll be doing:<ul><li>Develop and execute a strategic sales plan focused on generating and winning new business within the independent and private school market.</li><li>Build and maintain your own pipeline through proactive prospecting, cold outreach, networking, industry research, referrals, and relationship development.</li><li>Identify prospective clients and develop relationships with key decision-makers and influencers.</li><li>Own opportunities throughout the full sales cycle, from initial prospecting and qualification through proposal, presentation, negotiation, and close.</li><li>Navigate long, consultative sales cycles and maintain momentum with prospects over time.</li><li>Lead and coordinate the RFP and proposal process for targeted opportunities.</li><li>Partner with Operations, Finance, and other internal stakeholders to develop customized client solutions and sales strategies.</li><li>Develop relationships through trade associations, industry organizations, conferences, community groups, and other networking opportunities.</li><li>Represent the organization at conferences, trade shows, industry events, and client meetings.</li><li>Maintain accurate pipeline, activity, opportunity, and forecasting information within the CRM.</li><li>Track competitive activity and market trends within the assigned territory.</li><li>Evaluate wins and losses to identify opportunities to strengthen future sales strategies.</li><li>Provide regular pipeline, forecast, competitive, and business development reporting to leadership. </li></ul>What we're looking for:Must-Haves<ul><li>5+ years of successful new business development experience in a hunter sales role, with demonstrated experience building a pipeline and generating opportunities through proactive prospecting.</li><li>Proven ability and willingness to cold call, network, research prospects, and independently create new business opportunities.</li><li>Experience managing complex, consultative sales cycles from initial outreach through close.</li><li>Experience selling contract services or other complex B2B service solutions to schools, educational institutions, or similar organizations.</li><li>Experience with RFPs, proposals, presentations, and competitive bid processes.</li><li>Ability to develop relationships and confidently present to senior-level decision-makers and executives.</li><li>Strong pipeline management, forecasting, negotiation, and presentation skills.</li><li>Experience using CRM platforms and Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.</li><li>Ability to work independently, think strategically, and remain persistent throughout long sales cycles.</li><li>Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.</li><li>Ability to travel approximately 60–75%, including multiple overnight trips as business needs require. </li></ul>Nice-to-Haves<ul><li>Business development experience within independent schools, private K–12 education, boarding schools, school dining, food service, facilities services, or another outsourced/contract services environment.</li><li>Existing knowledge of the independent and private school market, including how schools evaluate and select outsourced service partners.</li><li>Experience selling services to independent schools, private schools, boarding schools, or other education-focused organizations.</li><li>Experience developing relationships with school leadership and other stakeholders involved in purchasing and vendor selection. </li></ul>Where you'll be working:Northeast-based, ideally - Philadelphia, PA; New York, NY; New Jersey; Boston, MA; or Pittsburgh, PA. Other locations within the Northeast may be considered.Compensation Range$125,000–$145,000, based on experience, with opportunities for additional compensation through commissionOur Benefits:<ul><li>Medical (FT Employees)</li><li>Dental</li><li>Vision</li><li>Voluntary UNUM offering for Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity</li><li>Discount Program</li><li>Commuter Benefits (Parking and Transit)</li><li>EAP</li><li>401k</li><li>Sick Time</li><li>Holiday Pay (9 paid holidays)</li><li>Tuition Reimbursement (FT Employees)</li><li>Paid Time Off </li></ul>About Elior Independent School Dining:Elior Independent School Dining partners with schools to create thoughtful, student-focused dining experiences that go beyond the plate. We serve as an extension of your campus, tailoring our programs to reflect your school’s unique culture and mission. With a strong focus on well-being and community, we provide expert service, culinary creativity, and a personal touch that supports students’ growth and success.About Elior-North America:Elior North America is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to diversity and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities. We take pride in supporting the development of our employees and their skills at all levels and in fostering an environment of growth.At Elior North America, we are committed to offering growth and advancement opportunities for all of our employees. The valuable skills and experience you’ve gained with Elior will propel you further in your career, whether with our corporate office or one of our brand segments.Disclaimer: This job description can be revised by management as needed.

Back to blog

Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...