Senior Manager, Business Engagement and Partnerships

Title: Senior Manager Business Engagement and Partnerships

Reports to: SVP, Head of Programs

ABOUT PROJECT EQUITY

Project Equity grows community wealth by creating more equitable communities and a resilient future through employee ownership transitions. Project Equity helps employees, especially those in low- to middle-wage jobs, become co-owners of the businesses where they work. We provide direct services to private businesses exploring and transition to employee ownership models.

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

In the eleven years since our launch, Project Equity has developed replicable programs that scale and innovate transitions to employee ownership. As we look to the future, we see opportunities to combine the best practices of traditional M&A approaches with the transformative power of employee ownership.

This position plays a crucial role in advancing our mission through engaging directly with business owners, walking them through an educational and consultative sales process to ultimately close services sales for Project Equity to deliver EO business transition support and capital financing. This position will assess readiness for EO and communicate the EO transition process to business owners.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Outbound Lead Generation

• Conduct employee ownership ecosystem and event mapping and in key regions.
• Develop strategic relationships with business networks, industry groups, business advisors and brokers to nurture opportunities for educational events and identify partnership and funding opportunities that promote employee ownership.
• Grow business owner lead generation through targeted outreach, campaigns with optimized messaging, and collaboration with Marketing and regional partners.
• Develop and refine lead generation through broker sites and other tools, cultivating relationships with key business brokers.
• Conduct educational events targeted at business owners and advisors in order to build awareness and understanding of EO and the transition process.

Consultations and Closing Sales

• Act as a trusted advisor to business owners and brokers, helping to demystify the employee ownership process and showcasing its potential benefits for both selling owners and employees.
• Conduct light financial analysis to understand a given business and their prospects for a successful fit to move forward with EO.
• Provide guidance for moving forward with Project Equity services or other appropriate next steps.
• Close Feasibility and LOI deals as appropriate.

Continuous Sales Process Improvement

• Partner with peers and leadership to refine our sales and consultation process and resources.
• Engage in ongoing training to enhance consultation skills and knowledge of employee ownership models.

HOW YOU WORK

• You’re dedicated to employee ownership. You are passionate about guiding businesses toward sustainable and inclusive ownership models.
• You’re a strong communicator. You can articulate complex concepts clearly to diverse audiences, fostering understanding and engagement.
• You’re analytical and detail-oriented. You approach consultations with a thorough understanding of financial and operational factors impacting businesses.
• You thrive in collaborative environments. You enjoy working as part of a team and value the contributions of others in advancing the organization’s mission.

AREAS WHERE YOU SHINE

• You’re passionate about impact – you see employee ownership as a powerful tool for systemic change and lasting business succession.
• You excel at partnerships and building relationships – You connect easily across sectors and thrive on networking. You align on shared goals and create mutually beneficial agreements.
• You thrive in sales – you enjoy managing the full cycle and closing deals with businesses of all sizes.
• You’re energized by travel – you’re comfortable attending industry events and meeting partners in person (up to 25%).

Requirements

• Proven business services sales experience with small and lower middle market businesses, 5+ years of experience in sales, business development, or similar roles.
• Demonstrable background in corporate finance and/or transaction deal structuring is required.
• Proficiency in CRM platforms and outreach tools.
• MBA is a plus.
• Familiarity with EO, business transitions, small business exit planning, or related fields is a plus.

Benefits

• Medical (PPO, HSA, or HMO options where available), dental and vision coverage: employer covers 100% of employee premium and 30% for dependents
• Dependent Care FSA
• Basic Term Life, additional voluntary life for employee, spouse, and dependent children available
• Short and long term disability
• Voluntary Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Retirement 401K: A dollar for dollar employer match of the employee's contribution, up to 3% of gross wages and 50 cents on the dollar match for the next 1% (3.5% total match)
• Employee Assistance Program
  • Generous holiday, vacation and sick leave
  • Holidays: 15 days annually, which includes 2 floating holidays
  • Vacation: 15 days (years 1 - 4) & 20 days (year 5+)
  • Sick: 10 days annually