Business Development Manager (Commercial Interiors)

Open the Swiss market

Youll win new business for a global firm that designs and builds office interiors - the spaces companies move into when they relocate or refit. You start with your own network build the trust and close the deals. From there a dedicated team takes over: they run the project and look after the client so youre free to focus on landing the next one.

What you walk into

• A clean slate: an open market to go after.
• Your connections as the day-one head start; the first meetings come from people you already know or will to know not from marketing.
• Freedom to build your part of the market your own way with backing from leadership rather than a fixed script.

What youll do day to day

• Find and approach new clients yourself: through your contacts direct outreach and follow-ups. You run the process.
• Take a deal from the first conversation through to a signed contract then hand the new client over to the Client Relations team.
• Get to know your part of the market: who makes the decisions what makes them buy and why this firm is a better choice than whoever they use now.
• Keep your list of live deals clear and up to date so leadership can plan around it.

What we need to see

Were looking for proof not adjectives. The strongest applications show the following:

• A track record in the Swiss market. Youre based in Switzerland and have already sold and won business here. You know how Swiss companies buy and how long it takes. Broader DACH experience can count too as long as the relationships you bring are Swiss.
• New B2B clients you won yourself. Companies or projects you personally brought in and closed not a set of accounts you were handed and grew. Name them.
• A network you can name. Current contactable decision-makers (e.g. Head of Real Estate/Workplace/Facilities/Office Management; in at least one target segment). These relationships are the roles starting capital so they need to be active not historical.
• Deals worth 250000 CHF or more.
• Fluent German and English (both required). French is a big plus but not a must.
• You can work on your own steam. Youve sold without a manager feeding you leads and youre happy to travel around Switzerland to meet clients.

Backgrounds that tend to fit

People who do well here often come from: commercial property or helping companies find office space office furniture sales running office building or renovation projects or managing client accounts. None of these is required and you dont need a construction background. Theyre just a sign you might fit if youve won corporate clients by building relationships wed like to talk.

The honest part

In Switzerland this kind of business is built on relationships and takes time - the first signed deal wont come overnight. If that sounds like a challenge youd enjoy and have handled before the pay and bonus are built to reward it. If youd rather look after a list of clients someone hands you this isnt the right seat.

Who youll be working with

• International companies with offices in Switzerland
• Banks insurers law firms and other professional services firms
• Mid-sized Swiss companies

Compensation

• Base salary: CHF set on demonstrated track record.
• Performance bonus: based on the new business you close.

How the process works

This search is run by placementist together with an executive search partner for the company thats hiring. At every step youll know who youre talking to and why - each stage is there to give you more information not less:

• Short call (about 20 minutes). A quick check that the role and your experience line up.
• Personality questionnaire plus a one-hour conversation with the search partner. The partner knows the role inside out and will be straight with you about it.
• A talk with the companys HR team. Terms how things are set up and the team.
• One/two final rounds with the team and companys leadership. The people youd report to and work with.

Confidential search. Well tell you the companys name once theres interest on both sides. Were reviewing applications as they come in and moving fast: strong candidates hear back within 48 hours.