Growth and Operations Manager

Description

As a Growth and Operations Manager at JM Search, you will drive growth by optimizing business development processes, strengthening client relationships, and enhancing performance through effective data and people management. Each JM Search employee is empowered to make decisions, share ideas, and shape the future of our firm, as well as your own individual career path. We take great pride in being the best at what we do, but we also care about having fun while we do it.

We have spent more than 40 years identifying, attracting, and retaining high-performing company builders within our own firm and understand how to scale without sacrificing culture. We care deeply about providing continuous development opportunities for each member of our team – from recent graduates to our managing partners – and believe by caring for our people, they in turn care for our clients.

Roles and Responsibilities:
 

Strategic Growth & Opportunity Identification

• Oversee the Practice’s revenue goals, leveraging market research to identify and qualify new leads that align with organizational objectives.
• Track incoming leads and existing relationships, increasing win rates and uncovering opportunities for cross-over within the firm. 

KPI Development & Data-Driven Reporting

• Define and refine go-to-market KPIs (e.g., win/loss ratios, new vs. existing clients, average fees), collaborating with cross-functional teams to set benchmarks.
• Develop targeted action plans based on metric outcomes, ensuring continuous improvement in business development (BD) effectiveness.
• Maintain and enhance BD operating rhythms and dashboards, promoting transparency and efficiency across the Practice. 

Partnership Management & Client Engagement

• Manage and nurture strategic partnerships, monitoring progress on key opportunities to drive long-term growth.
• Identify high-impact events, conferences, and thought leadership placements to elevate JM Search’s brand profile.
• Expand the firm’s footprint within client organizations by creating and executing account plans, fostering stronger relationships, and providing value-added services (e.g., market insights, executive introductions). 

Sales Operations & Process Enhancement

• Lead the development and implementation of tools, processes, and frameworks that streamline BD efforts, from lead generation to client engagement.
• Oversee BD activities (research, pitch preparation, event follow-up, campaign management), ensuring timely coordination and measurable results.
• Collaborate with Marketing and other functions to execute tailored campaigns and maintain up-to-date, customizable sales collateral. 

Team Mentorship & Development

• Mentor and/or manage junior team members (e.g., BD Analysts, Sr. BD Analysts), fostering a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and accountability.
• Work closely with recruiters and subject matter experts to drive cohesive, results-oriented initiatives, ensuring seamless collaboration between BD and other practice areas.
• Guide professional growth within the BD team, helping individuals refine their skills, expand their industry knowledge, and achieve performance goals. 

Major Initiative & Project Leadership

• Spearhead major BD initiatives, strategic projects, and events in partnership with Practice leadership, ensuring timely execution and quantifiable ROI.
• Develop and maintain methods for evaluating the success of BD projects, using data-driven insights to adjust tactics and optimize outcomes.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to align on project goals, share best practices, and deliver unified messaging to clients and prospects.  

Requirements

Competencies:

Lead Identification - Identifies and qualifies leads, using market research insights to shape client acquisition strategies that drive measurable growth.

Partnership Management - Manages strategic partnerships and tracks opportunities, using data to inform decisions and support long-term growth objectives.

Team Mentorship/Management - Mentors and/or manages junior team members, improving collaboration with recruiters and SMEs, and fostering a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and results.

KPI Development & Management - Defines KPIs, collaborates with cross-functional teams, and refines processes to monitor and improve BD effectiveness.

Sales Operations Leadership - Leads the development and implementation of new tools, methodologies, and frameworks that advance BD capabilities, lead generation, and client engagement. 

Qualifications & Experience:

• At least 5 years of sales research and analysis experience in a recruiting, executive search and/or professional services environment.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred; competitive intelligence/knowledge management advanced studies a plus.
• Effective writing and editing skills coupled with outstanding attention to detail.
• Strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficient in Internet research, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• CRM, sales technology, and process savvy “native”.  

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package including a healthy 401(k) match, excellent health, vision, and dental benefits, and flexible working options. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.