Sr Business Development Director

About Us

Sparks is a leading global brand experience agency, specializing in the design and execution of award‑winning experiences that forge deep connections between brands and audiences. Recognized by Adweek as Experiential Agency of the Year, we bring a unique blend of strategic insight and execution excellence to every brand activation, corporate event, trade show exhibit, and immersive experience. Our commitment to creativity, innovation, and flawless execution drives us to craft impactful experiential marketing solutions that deepen relationships, inspire action, and build trust—around the world.

This position focuses on strategic sales and engagement with new clients and banners. You will work with leading brands to understand their needs, audiences, and challenges, and deliver smart, results‑driven sales recommendations across the Strategic Event & Exhibit portfolio as well as Sparks portfolio, focusing on creative and fabrication services that build long‑lasting relationships which can grow into other areas of our business.

The role supports the overarching growth strategy through prospecting, event attendance, lead identification, proposal management, and seamless handover to Account Directors and relevant teams.

• Philadelphia, PA
• Los Angeles, CA
• Chicago, IL
• Grand Prairie, TX
• Royal Oak, MI
• New York, NY
• San Francisco, CA
• St. Paul, MN
• Milwaukee, WI
• Fort Wayne, IN

• Learn Sparks’ complete portfolio of products and services and present the full offering, emphasizing professional services (creative and strategy), events, conferences, activations, and exhibits.
• Develop targeted sales plans to sell Sparks products/services within identified target accounts.
• Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to foster continuous process improvement and a sophisticated go‑to‑market process.
• Pursue target accounts, evaluate opportunities, build relationships, collect key information, and drive internal teams to create proposals and presentations to prospects.
• Utilize all business development techniques—phone, email, direct mail, association involvement, public speaking and networking—to build relationships and create opportunities.
• Record all contact and activity in Salesforce with a focus on accuracy and timely reporting.
• Follow up and evaluate opportunities from RFPl, RFI, and general inquiries.
• Develop relationships and processes for a seamless transition to the account team once new banners are onboarded.
• Provide weekly reporting on prospect meetings, new opportunities, project development, targeted campaigns, and forecast updates.
• Own projects and exceed expectations, finding solutions and delivering results within a rapidly changing, entrepreneurial, technology‑driven culture.
• Identify and solve client issues strategically.
• Exhibit excellent interpersonal skills and communicate effectively with management and cross‑functional teams for both technical and non‑technical audiences.

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; high school diploma or equivalent with relevant work experience required.
• Minimum 7–10 years of senior sales management experience within event marketing, exhibits, experiential, or agency environments.
• Proven track record of building brand awareness, developing strong client relationships, and successfully closing new business.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and grow a personal book of business, generating approximately $6M+ in revenue.
• Strong relationship‑building skills, resourceful networking abilities, confident presentation skills, and creative thinking.
• Must be willing to consistently cold call and proactively solicit new business.
• Comfortable working independently and in a remote or hybrid environment.
• Experience with—or willingness to learn—Sparks’ custom Salesforce instance.
• Proficient in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office.
• Strong attention to detail, a positive attitude, and a collaborative, team‑oriented mindset.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Travel up to 25%.

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Parental Leave
• Life, Accident and Disability
• Retirement with Company Match
• Paid Time Off
• Salary range of $100,000-$125,000 based upon experience
• Eligible for a growth commission bonus

At The Freeman Company, our commitment to diversity and inclusion helps us to create a great place to work and an environment where our employees, customers, and communities can reach their goals. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws.