Vice President of Business Development

• Do you want to work for a fast‑growing company where employees share in business success through an Employee Stock Ownership Program?
• Are you energized by building national account strategies, winning complex multi‑stakeholder deals, and leading a hunter‑oriented business development team?
• Do you thrive in roles where you can shape market strategy, expand enterprise relationships, and unlock extensive, untapped revenue potential?

School Outfitters is a Cincinnati‑based, 100% employee‑owned company transforming how learning environments are designed, furnished, and supported across the United States.

Recognized as a Cincinnati Top Workplace for 14 consecutive years, the company has grown into a national leader serving early childhood programs, K‑12 schools, higher education, and specialized learning environments. With a mission‑driven culture and a reputation for exceptional customer service, School Outfitters partners with 97% of the nation’s top 1,000 school districts.

For leaders seeking a growth‑oriented environment where ownership mentality, customer obsession, and strategic expansion intersect, School Outfitters offers a rare and exciting opportunity!

As the Vice President of Business Development, you will be the strategic growth engine for School Outfitters, driving net‑new revenue, expanding national accounts, and leading a proactive business development team.

Strategic Account Growth

• Develop and execute growth strategies for top national and regional accounts.
• Build executive‑level relationships with key stakeholders.
• Identify multi‑location and enterprise expansion opportunities.
• Increase wallet share within existing strategic accounts.

Business Development Leadership

• Build and lead a hunter‑oriented business development program.
• Create target account strategies and annual penetration plans.
• Expand market presence across high‑potential verticals.
• Establish strategic partnerships and new growth channels.

Customer Engagement & Field Leadership

• Lead customer visit strategy and execution.
• Participate in executive business reviews and strategic planning sessions.
• Travel nationally (about 70%) to strengthen relationships with high‑value prospects and customers.
• Lead a team of 7 Business Development and Project Management positions.
• Build CRM discipline (Hub Spot or related) and ensure data integrity.
• Coach team members on enterprise selling and account expansion.

Strategic Pipeline Development

• Ensure consistent prospecting and business development activity.
• Monitor opportunity progression and large‑deal strategy.
• Drive growth within target accounts and key market segments.
• Track industry trends, competitive activity, and emerging customer needs.
• Recommend strategic initiatives that support long‑term revenue expansion.

• 10+ years in business development, strategic sales, or commercial leadership with proven revenue growth results.
• 5+ years leading high‑performing sales or business development teams.
• Demonstrated success winning and managing strategic accounts of $1M+ annually.
• Experience selling into complex, multi‑stakeholder environments
• Strong CRM discipline (Hub Spot or Salesforce).
• Willingness to travel – up to 70% nationally.
• Experience developing scalable sales processes and enterprise pipelines.

• Executive‑level consultative seller with strong emotional intelligence.
• Hunter mentality with disciplined follow‑through.
• Exceptional relationship builder and active listener.
• Detail‑oriented, organized, and highly communicative.
• Comfortable being both an individual contributor and team leader.
• Strategic thinker who can translate customer needs into growth initiatives.
• Collaborative, non‑territorial, and able to partner seamlessly with Sales and Marketing.

• Lead a strategically important growth function in a rapidly expanding company.
• Build a national account strategy from the ground up and see an immediate impact on business revenue.
• Work with a collaborative executive team that values innovation, strategy, and customer relationships.
• Earn equity through a robust ESOP program with long‑term wealth‑building potential.
• Competitive compensation package with a senior level base + commission structure.

• Role is based in Cincinnati.
• Onsite presence is essential when not traveling due to the highly interactive and collaborative nature of the role.