Business Development Director

Business Development Director – United Nations Focus

Location: Europe (with regular travel across UN locations)

Sector: International Services / Public Sector Partnerships

An established international services provider is seeking a Business Development Director to lead strategic growth across UN agencies, programs, and missions in Europe and beyond. Working alongside global institutions, the organisation delivers specialised services spanning IT solutions, facilities management, research, and operational support — all designed to strengthen international missions and humanitarian operations worldwide.

This role offers the opportunity to shape long-term partnerships with the United Nations system, driving innovative, high-impact solutions that support their global objectives.

The Opportunity

The Business Development Director will play a pivotal role in expanding partnerships with the UN system, aligning the company’s capabilities with UN missions, programs, and operational needs. The position combines strategic planning, relationship development, and commercial leadership — ideal for a results-driven professional with deep experience in international public sector environments.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Growth & Partnership Development

• Lead and implement a targeted business development strategy for engagement with the United Nations.
• Identify, analyse, and prioritise new opportunities across UN agencies, programs, and field missions.
• Build a robust pipeline of opportunities that balances profitability, sustainability, and risk management.
• Develop trusted relationships with senior UN stakeholders, procurement officials, and partners.
• Shape early-stage opportunities (“upstream”) to influence requirements and align solutions to UN needs.

Commercial Leadership

• Ensure bids and proposals are commercially sound, compliant, and value-driven.
• Secure profitable, sustainable contracts across multiple UN entities and regions.
• Collaborate with internal teams to deliver integrated, high-quality service offerings.

Team & Organisational Leadership

• Provide guidance and mentorship to a growing business development team.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
• Partner with colleagues across regions to leverage global expertise and drive unified success.

Sustainability & Execution Excellence

• Ensure all engagements uphold the highest ethical and operational standards.
• Maintain focus on long-term partnership value, not just immediate contract wins.
• Contribute to the company’s global growth strategy through measurable sales and impact targets.

About You

Knowledge & Expertise

• In-depth understanding of the United Nations system — its procurement processes, funding models, and operational structures.
• Strong grasp of international service delivery in areas such as logistics, facilities, IT, or operational support.

Skills & Attributes

• Exceptional stakeholder management and relationship-building skills at senior levels.
• Strategic and analytical thinker with entrepreneurial drive.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills across cultures and functions.
• Commercially astute, with a proven ability to plan, position, and execute complex opportunities.

Experience

• Demonstrated success in developing and winning business within the UN ecosystem.
• Experience leading business development across international public sector environments.
• Proven record of growing account share and fostering long-term institutional partnerships.
• Leadership experience in managing teams and working within matrix organisations.

Additional

• Willingness to travel regularly to UN headquarters, regional hubs, and field offices.
• Ability to connect globally, leveraging cross-regional expertise for shared success.

Why Join

This is a rare opportunity to lead strategic growth with one of the world’s most respected international partners. The successful candidate will directly influence how services are designed and delivered to support humanitarian, peacekeeping, and development missions across the UN network — making a measurable difference on a global scale.