Business Development Manger – Latin America & the Caribbean (LAC), North & West Africa

Pact is an international nonprofit that works in nearly 40 countries building solutions for human development that are evidence-based, data-driven and owned by the communities we serve. Founded in 1971, Pact works with partners to build resilience, improve accountability, and strengthen knowledge and skills for sustainable social impact.

Department

Public Business Development (PUBD) – Pact exists to help create a world where those who are poor and marginalized exercise their voice, build their own solutions, and take ownership of their future. The Public Business Development team contributes to realizing this purpose by overseeing Pact’s new business development activities. Every member of the Public Business Development team at Pact is committed to sharing in the success of the organization, its peers, and individual accomplishments. The Public Business Development team is managed through a matrixed structure that promotes winning proposals through collaboration. The team offers team members, both experienced and new professionals, opportunities for learning and professional development. Ideal candidates bring positive energy to this dynamic work environment.

Position Overview

The Business Development Manager – LAC, North & West Africa will serve as the Team Leader for new business development activities for Pact’s portfolio in the assigned region, working alongside Business Development Managers for Asia and Europe and East and Southern Africa. The Business Development Manager brings an understanding of clients/donors (particularly USAID, U.S. Department of State, and other bilateral donors), industry trends, and competitive landscape to lead their team to achieve business development goals.

The Business Development Manager will work closely with overseas staff, including Regional Directors, Country Directors, and technical experts, as well as DC-based technical leaders, to develop and execute a regional business development strategy. They will lead the preparation for and manage large proposals – including contracts, global projects, and co-creation, contribute to research and trends analysis of donor funding, and support development and execution of regional-level new business strategies. They will work closely with country office teams to support the development and execution of their business development vision. They will supervise, mentor, and guide direct a team of direct reports in supporting new business development. The Business Development Manager provides overall leadership to their team, while also ensuring quality assurance of proposal submissions. Some international travel is expected; length of travel will range from 1-3 weeks at a time. The position reports to the Public Business Development Director.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Thought Leadership

• Serve as the Team Leader and point of contact for the assigned portfolios. Lead efforts to grow and diversify Pact’s funding in the region, working in close collaboration with technical and program implementation staff to create, execute, and realize a comprehensive strategy
• Partner closely with the Director and other managers to lead Pact’s new business efforts, providing leadership to the broader BD team as well as high-quality assistance to Pact’s senior decision makers on a full range of new business-related matters
• Contribute to Pact-wide strategic initiatives and thought leadership by participating in relevant working groups, developing relevant tools and guidance, and representing Pact externally
• Build a network of professional business contacts within Pact’s industry and facilitate the development of strategic partnerships with other organizations and donors
• Model Pact’s values by creating a transparent and collaborative work environment

Proposal Management and Technical Proposal Development

• Manage the proposal development process, including comprehensive pre-positioning for opportunities. Lead bid decision-making conversations, manage live (large/complex) proposals including global bids, contracts, and co-creation, lead recruitment for key personnel in partnership with HR, provide overall quality control to applications, ensure that proposals meet funder specifications and technical requirements by facilitating color reviews and serving as a proposal reviewer, and set and meet deadlines
• Work with country representatives, technical leads, other staff, and consultants to identify, conceptualize, and design proposals for new projects and/or amendments to current projects
• Write sections of proposals and/or full proposals and serve as Proposal Champion as appropriate

Cost Proposal Development

• Work with the Pricing team on back-of-envelope budgeting and strategic pricing; outlining best value sections, as required; and facilitating alignment of budget and budget narratives with technical proposals

Capacity and Resource Development

• Supervise, mentor, and guide direct reports. Promote staff development through coaching, mentoring, and facilitating professional growth opportunities, including mentoring on discrete new business development activities of varying complexity (e.g., reviewing proposal outlines, facilitating internal training events, and providing one-on-one mentorship). Conduct reviews and goal review sessions with direct reports
• Help identify training needs and help develop and deliver trainings tailored to the needs of headquarters and field-based staff; help develop manuals, operating procedures, templates, guides, and other tools

Knowledge Management

• Support evidence-based decision making by maintaining accurate and up-to-date electronic files and internal databases with information about BD opportunities; tracking industry trends; analyzing proposal development data and win/loss data; and ensuring that relevant information is accessible to and circulated to relevant colleagues
• Help identify training needs and help develop and deliver trainings tailored to the needs of headquarters and field-based staff; help develop manuals, operating procedures, templates, guides, and other tools

Basic Requirements

• Master’s degree with five (5) years work experience or bachelor’s degree with at least seven (7+) years work experience
• Previous management experience preferred
• Proven successful track record of winning proposals with USAID; experience on global awards and/or IDIQs would present a distinct advantage
• Knowledgeable in one or more of Pact’s technical areas (health, livelihoods, energy, environment, capacity development, governance)
• Understanding of donor trends and sociopolitical contexts in the assigned region
• Strong organizational, planning, and time-management skills
• Strong interpersonal, team building and communication skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including advanced facilitation skills and experience
• Outstanding attention to detail
• Competence using common desktop applications, including MS Word, Excel, and Adobe;
• Ability to travel internationally on short notice

Preferred Qualifications

• Full professional proficiency in Spanish or French
• International work experience, particularly in the assigned region
• Experience using Salesforce or similar customer relationship management software

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, citizenship status, genetic information, matriculation, family responsibilities, personal appearance, credit information, tobacco use (except in the workplace), membership in an employee organization, or other protected classifications or non-merit factors.