Head of Business Development

Description

BASIC FUNCTION:

As Head of Business Development for the student loan division of SouthEast Bank, Education Loan Finance (ELFI), you will be responsible for leading the growth and expansion of our student lending business, including new customer acquisition through business partnerships and other strategic growth initiatives. You will lead the effort to expand and manage our in school and refinance student lending business relationships and other customer acquisition targets. You will work closely with Marketing and Bank Operations to broaden our business development campaigns to identify new business opportunities, implement plans to increase market share in the student loan sector, and optimize our Bank’s cross selling initiatives for our ELFI customers. You will also be responsible for managing and recruiting the Business Development Team.
 

Key Responsibilities

• Market Analysis: Conduct thorough market research to identify trends, opportunities, and competitive landscape in the student loan industry
• Strategic Planning: Develop and implement comprehensive business development strategies to achieve growth targets
• Partnership Development: Generate new leads and acquire new partnerships through the development and execution of go-to-market strategy & customer acquisition campaigns across new and existing verticals. Establish and maintain relationships with educational institutions, financial organizations, and other strategic partners
• Sales Management: Oversee the sales process, from lead generation to closing deals, ensuring the achievement of sales targets
• Client Relations: Manage relationships with key clients, providing exceptional service and support to ensure client satisfaction and retention
• Product Development: Collaborate with the product development team to create and enhance student loan products that meet market demand
• Marketing Collaboration: Work closely with the marketing team to develop campaigns and promotional materials that drive business growth
• Reporting and Analysis: Prepare regular reports on business development activities, market trends, and performance metrics. Analyze funnel optimization and profitability reports for prospective and existing partners and make strategic recommendations accordingly
• Team Management: Manage and recruit talented financial professionals for business development efforts

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Finance, Marketing, or a related field. MBA is a plus
• Experience: Minimum of 7 years of experience in business development, sales, or a related role within the financial services industry, including student lending
• Demonstrated success in developing strategic partnerships
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills
• Negotiating skills - must have experience identifying and capitalizing on value by successfully negotiating business contracts and deal pricing 
• Excellent communication and negotiation abilities
• Proven track record in achieving sales targets and driving business growth
• Ability to build and maintain strong professional relationships
• In depth knowledge and expertise of the student loan market

Personal Attributes

• Highly motivated and results-oriented
• Innovative and proactive in identifying and pursuing new business opportunities
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to work independently as well as manage a team of professionals

Qualifications