Business Development Executive

Business Development Executive

Astound is a global experiential powerhouse with three core verticals: Brand Experiences, Sports Experiences, and Immersive Entertainment. From trade shows and large-scale events to experience centers and IP-driven attractions, we create programs that combine creative excellence, operational discipline, and ROI-focused outcomes.

With over 200 employees, a 350,000 sq. ft. production facility, and execution in more than 40 countries, Astound is defining what the modern experiential partner looks like. Now, in our 25th year, we are expanding into a growth engine for our clientspowered by AI, integrated creative, and next-gen content strategyand for the business itself, driving both revenue and enterprise value.

We are currently on the lookout for talented Business Development Executives to help generate new leads for our team, assist with closing deals, and support opportunities that lie within existing accounts. The Business Development Executive reports to the VP of Business Development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the development of new accounts and/or generating new business from existing accounts.
• Collaborate with Line of Business Leaders and Cross-functional support teams on executing sales strategy, goals, and forecasting.
• Manage all aspects of our new sales and relationship development process, demonstrating the ability to develop a deal framework for all opportunities that will increase the likelihood of the deal successfully closing, from identification, discovery, nurture, opportunity origination, proposal writing, negotiation, closing, and relationship expansion.
• Be a significant contributor to Astound's new business targets, accurately and effectively identifying/managing new market opportunities/leads, and manage pipeline in order to prioritize business opportunities and internal resources.
• Develop short-term and long-term retention and growth strategies for clients and deliver on those strategies to continually build a strong business pipeline.
• Build business relationships with current and potential clients via face-to-face meetings, targeted trade shows, functions, networking events, etc., phone work, and virtual (e.g., chat, email, video conferencing, etc.) to close sales.
• Arrange meetings for senior management with prospective clients.
• Effectively deliver the Astound company story and value proposition, becoming an expert on Astound's capabilities, service offerings, and lines of business.
• Assist with other sales activities/initiatives as instructed by your VP, Director, and Client Service partners.
• Generate accurate forecast and sales activity reports in Salesforce for sales and executive leadership.
• Inspire your team and influence them to perform at their best each and every day; this will ultimately determine the success of the sales organization.
• Take an active role in mentoring junior sales team members to ensure they are being developed and progressing in their careers.
• Maintain a positive mindset, encourage teamwork, and act as an impeccable brand ambassador for Astound.
• Willingness to travel within North America and overseas.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree from a four-year college or university preferred. High School Diploma or Equivalent with relevant work experience is required.
• Outbound sales experience as an asset (minimum 3 years), with experience of successful quota-carrying.
• Experience with lead generation and prospect management.
• Has proven the ability to successfully manage their own book of accounts in the profitable production of revenue opportunities totaling approximately $2 million or more.
• Knowledge of sales systems is required (Salesforce).
• Working knowledge of all Microsoft Office Software applications including PowerPoint and Excel.
• Excellent customer service and organizational skills are required.
• An enthusiastic learner with superior creative, problem solving, critical thinking, and analytical skills.
• Excellent negotiation skills.
• Has demonstrated consistent above-average performance evaluations in previous roles.
• Ability to work in an environment characterized by constant change and tight deadlines.
• Strong team player with innovative ideas who can partner with others (internal and external) to achieve objectives as well as the ability to work autonomously.
• Evidence of continued growth through education, skills training, and professional development.

Travel Requirements:

Travel 50% to 75%

The compensation package (base salary plus performance-related pay, based on sales) will be commensurate with experience. Our employees are entitled to a standard set of benefits, including health and dental insurance and 401(k) with company match.

We operate in quite a distributed manner. There is a concentration of team members around Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Portland, Milwaukee, and Toronto and so there are benefits to more team members being in these locations. But most important will be the person, their ability and motivation to help us grow, and their fit with our team and culture. Wherever they may be (in North America), they will need to build relationships and make sales all over the Americas.

The Values You Align With:

Just as important as the skills you bring to our team, is alignment with our values. This means that as a collective we will collaborate with the same mindset to deliver incredible, market leading experiences for our clients.

• Steadfast Courage - We fearlessly take on challenges and make bold decisions to achieve remarkable results.
• Unwavering Integrity - We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards and prioritize honesty, transparency, and professionalism.
• Boundless Creativity - We push boundaries with innovative, collaborative ideas that surpass expectations and create unforgettable experiences.
• Unparalleled Service - We fearlessly take on challenges and make bold decisions to achieve remarkable results.
• Insatiable Curiosity - We never stop learning, exploring, and taking risks to create breakthrough experiences.
• Constant Collaboration - We thrive on teamwork, leverage diverse perspectives, and support each other to deliver experiences greater than the sum of their parts.

Benefits and Compensation:

The compensation package will be commensurate with experience. Our employees are entitled to a standard set of benefits, including health and dental insurance and 401(k) with company match.

• Excellent Medical Insurance
• Excellent Dental Insurance
• Excellent Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off, Holiday Pay
• 401K matching program after 60 days of employment
• 100% Company Life and Short-Term Disability Coverage
• Employee Referral Program
• Professional development opportunities and ongoing training.
• Collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Opportunity to work with prestigious clients and industry leaders.

Diversity Commitment:

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome talented individuals from all backgrounds to apply. Our goal is to ensure that every candidate is evaluated solely on their qualifications, merits, and potential to contribute meaningfully to our team and mission.