Business Development Executive | Melbourne, VIC

Sodexo is a people business, employing over 400,000 people worldwide and thousands in Australia. Our hospitality all-rounders play a key role in keeping our sites functioning and well-maintained for village residents' safety, comfort, and well-being. Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater because we believe our everyday actions have a big impact.

The Business Development Executive drives the implementation of strategic business initiatives and optimises the sales process in support of acquiring new business across East Coast/National, including New Sector entry. 

To drive profitable growth by delivering a robust business development capability & sales pipeline that strengthens Sodexo’s market and competitor position for long term growth opportunities  

Responsibilities  

• Establish strategic business development initiatives  

• Build and lead East Coast and national business development projects across facilities management, catering and industrial services, converting qualified pipeline opportunities into signed and successfully mobilised contracts at scale  

• Own complex, multi-stakeholder tender and bid processes end-to-end, including commercial strategy, pricing, risk assessment, governance, contract negotiation, award and transition to mobilisation  

• Ensure compliance with all business initiatives  

• Present business opportunities and business cases to the senior leadership team as required  

• Influence and align Operations, Finance, Support Functions and the Country Leadership Team on pursuit strategy, investment decisions, risk settings and delivery commitments  

• Identify, generate, and close sales and new business opportunities  

• Contribute to new product development  

• Contribute to the execution of the marketing strategy and business development plans  

• Provide leadership and training on new lines of business and services to management and staff  

• Screen potential business deals by analyzing the market  

• Coordinate, prepare, and present proposals and business plans that target newly recognized business opportunities  

• Participate in internal and external business events, road shows, and seminars as required by management  

• Creating the vision and designing and implementing a 3-year business development (BD) plan which supports the achievement of Australia and, potentially in future, New Zealand (ANZ) profit & growth goals  

• Ensuring alignment of ANZ business development activities with Group strategic initiatives to contribute to global efficiencies and success.  

• Lead the bid management process by ensuring that Operations and Support Functions are fully involved throughout the bid development & submission process to maximise success.  

• To drive the growth of new strategic business opportunities through having a thorough knowledge of market segments and competitor activities to build strategic relations with relevant external bodies.  

• Develop and leverage genuine sector networks across Energy & Resources, Education, Health and adjacent industrial or government markets to accelerate access to qualified opportunities  

• Balance defence and growth of the core Energy & Resources portfolio with disciplined entry into new sectors, shaping market-entry priorities and long-term pipeline development  

• To lead and manage strategic accounts (Top 50) to retain and grow profitable and successful business.  

• Authorising BD policies which set organisation wide standards and comply with legislative & company requirements to build brand awareness, reputation and positions Sodexo as the partner of choice in on-site service solutions  

• Providing leadership and coaching that ensures that the BD function operates as a high performing team.  

• Leading and role modelling behaviours that reflect a commitment to Sodexo values and fosters a culture which leverages the benefits of diversity and ensures respect for people.  

• Build awareness of Sodexo brand & services by establishing effective relationships and partnering with existing and potential customers and key stakeholders to retain and grow profitable business opportunities.  

• Implement principles and practices throughout the organisation which build upon Sodexo’s commitment to corporate social responsibility.  

• Directing and coordinating the BD function’s financial and budget activities in keeping with ANZ financial targets.  

• Partner with the Marketing team to provide specialist marketing support to ensure that the Sodexo brand is positioned to maximise value in new business opportunities.  

• To be responsible for you and your direct report’s adherence to the health, safety, environmental and quality standards, policies and procedures as outlined and updated from time to time.  You are also responsible for proactively acting in a manner that supports a healthy and safe work environment through the effective management of incidents and hazards.  

Experiences  

• Proven East Coast or national sales leadership in facilities management, catering or industrial services, including building and leading business development projects rather than solely delivering as an individual sales contributor  

• Demonstrated track record converting a qualified pipeline into signed and successfully mobilised contracts at scale  

• Deep commercial and tender management capability, with end-to-end ownership of complex, multi-stakeholder bids including pricing, risk, governance and contract negotiation  

• Established client and industry network in Energy & Resources, Education, Health or adjacent industrial or government sectors  

• Demonstrated strategic capability to defend and grow a core portfolio while developing and executing entry strategies for new sectors  

• Strong internal stakeholder management and executive influencing capability, with credibility operating alongside Operations, Finance and Country Leadership Team stakeholders  

• Experience and understanding of the commercial operating environment to drive commercial success through strategic business development.  

• Experience of proactively building a strategic network and establishing profitable relationships in complex internal and external environments.  

• Experience of bid management in relation to complex offers or client requirements  

• Experience of leading business development across a wide geographic area or multiple time zones  

• Experience of managing business development in relation to Public Private Partnerships (PPP)  

• Experience of sales and business development in the resources or technical services sectors.  

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software (Advanced)  

• Government Legislation (Advanced)  

• Microsoft Office Suite (Intermediate)  

Qualifications

5 years’ successful experience at executive level leading a BD function  

About Sodexo

• Competitive pay and job security in an essential services industry
• Access to 100+ retail discounts and multiple salary packaging options
• Great teamwork and a solid group of people around you!
• Opportunities for training and career progression within Sodexo

Apply Now

Ready to start your next adventure? Submit your resume outlining your experience and availability. If shortlisted, one of our recruiters will contact you for a phone interview to answer your questions and share more about the role.