Business Development Director

Class VI Partners OverviewClass VI Partners is a Denver-based investment banking firm dedicated to guiding entrepreneurs through the complex journey of business optimization, transaction preparation, and successful exits. With a focus on middle-market businesses, we offer a comprehensive suite of services designed to maximize value and ensure a seamless transition for business owners.Our Core ServicesInvestment Banking - Our primary business, specializing in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), capital raising, and strategic advisory services. Our team has successfully navigated over 100 transactions, delivering more than $3 billion in value to entrepreneurs.Pathfinder Program - The "tip of the spear," serving as the business development engine for attracting, retaining, and nurturing high-quality clients. Pathfinder is our advisory group focused on helping entrepreneurs get prepared for a transaction, ensuring they maximize value and minimize risk when they are ready to sell or raise capital.Family Office - Post-transaction, we provide proactive financial planning, coordinated management with other advisors, and legacy planning services for entrepreneurs.Accelerator Fund - Our late-stage growth capital fund, designed to provide funding for companies-typically those in our Pathfinder program-who need strategic capital to accelerate growth before a transaction.Our MissionAt Class VI, we believe that entrepreneurs are the backbone of our communities and our economy. Through innovation, job creation, and relentless efforts to give back, they shape our world for the better. Our mission is to serve them with Hustle, Humility, and Relationships, ensuring they realize the full value of their businesses.Position OverviewClass VI Partners is seeking a Senior Business Development professional to lead initial engagement with entrepreneurs and business owners. This is a critical, high-impact role, responsible for managing the first touchpoints in our pipeline, conducting introductory calls, and guiding prospects through our sales process.The ideal candidate is a trusted advisor to business owners, able to quickly build credibility, understand their goals, and position Class VI's services effectively. This role requires deep consultative sales experience, an entrepreneurial mindset, and M&A knowledge.Key Details

• Location : Denver, CO (must be based in the Denver metro area)
• Reports to : President of Pathfinder
• Works closely with : Partners across Investment Banking, Family Office, and Accelerator Fund, as well as the Advisory Team
• Direct Report : Business Development Representative (BDR)Key Responsibilities
• Conduct 30-35 introductory calls per month with business owners, many of whom are cold prospects.
• Build relationships and trust quickly to understand the owner's motivations, business landscape, and potential fit for Class VI services.
• Facilitate and participate in follow-up discussions to move prospects through the process.
• Coordinate next steps, including introductions to Investment Bank, Pathfinder, Family Office, and Accelerator Fund partners.
• Manage a Business Development Representative (BDR) to assist in scheduling, follow-ups, and material distribution.
• Represent Class VI at industry events, trade shows, and conferences to engage with potential clients.
• Prepare and manage sales materials such as proposals, case studies, and sample deliverables.Ideal Personality Traits & Culture FitAt Class VI, we hire for culture first. Our core values are Hustle, Humility, and Relationships, and we are highly collaborative across all business units. The ideal candidate should embody these values :
• Hustle - Strong work ethic, persistence, and ability to proactively engage entrepreneurs.
• Humility - Team player, open to feedback, and thrives in a collaborative, no-ego environment.
• Relationship-Driven - Excellent at building trust quickly and navigating different personality types.
• Positive Mindset - Resilient, optimistic, and solutions-focused in challenging conversations.
• Strategic Thinker - Able to articulate complex services concisely and navigate nuanced business conversations.
• Action-Oriented - Pushes entrepreneurs to take timely action rather than delay decisions.Hiring Process & TimelineClass VI is ready to hire the right candidate immediately. The process will include : Initial interviews with key stakeholders across Investment Bank, Family Office, Pathfinder, and Accelerator Fund.Group discussions with executive team members and partners.Sales simulation & assessment conducted by a third-party evaluator.Final interviews with the President of Pathfinder and the CEO of Class VI Partners.Key Qualifications
• 15-20 years of business development or sales experience-ideally in M&A advisory, investment banking, capital raising, or high-ticket consultative sales.
• Entrepreneurial experience strongly preferred-candidates who have started, run, or been a partner in a business will have an advantage.
• Deep consultative sales expertise-able to listen first, diagnose client needs, and position solutions in a compelling way.
• Ability to build trust quickly-strong interpersonal skills and an ability to connect with business owners at their level.
• Exceptional presentation and communication skills-comfortable leading meetings, explaining complex services in simple terms, and presenting to small and large audiences.
• Proven ability to manage long, relationship-driven sales cycles-able to keep prospects engaged and moving toward a decision.
• Assertive, action-oriented approach-able to push entrepreneurs to take action rather than delay decisions.
• Must be located in the Denver metro area.Success Metrics
• Maintain or improve the 30% conversion rate from intro call to proposal.
• Shorten the sales cycle to 30-60 days, with 90 days being acceptable.
• Help drive the goal of signing 40 new clients in 2025 (up from 29 in 2024).
• Ensure that signed clients align with the Investment Bank and Advisory Team's definition of high-quality clients.