Director of Business Development & Marketing

Brief Description

We’re looking for a Director of Business Development & Marketing who goes far beyond “running campaigns.” You see opportunities before they’re obvious, turn insights into strategy, and help define the products and markets that will fuel our future.

Hydro-Gear is a world leader in the design and production of precision drive solutions, serving multiple industries and customers worldwide. Our passion is innovation, and our focus is making our customers successful.

This role is about market intelligence, product vision, and business development. Reporting to the Vice President of Sales & Marketing, you’ll lead a small, agile team and play a pivotal role in deciding where we go next as a company.

Type & Location: Onsite position (not remote or hybrid) that can be located in Indianapolis IN or Franklin TN offices

Key Responsibilities

• Identify new markets and opportunities by leading strategic market research to uncover new products, applications, and segments.
• Translate insights into action by turning data and the voice of the customer into product, pricing, and go-to-market strategies that solve problems and drive revenue.
• Shape the product roadmap in partnership with Product, Engineering, and Sales, serving as a core decision-maker on development priorities.
• Own the value proposition and messaging for key product lines and solutions; ensure clear, differentiated positioning across all channels.
• Lead and develop a high-impact team across branding, business development, and market intelligence; foster strong alignment with Sales.
• Drive execution across channels (trade shows, events, digital, content, sales enablement) with a focus on measurable impact.
• Present to senior leadership and the Board on market trends, competitive landscape, strategy, and performance.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Strong foundation in B2B marketing and market research, ideally within industrial, manufacturing, or engineered products.
• Experience in product management, portfolio leadership, or ownership of a commercial product line.
• Proven ability to analyze markets, trends, and customer behavior and translate findings into strategy.
• Demonstrated success by converting customer problems into defined solutions, business cases, and go-to-market plans.
• Strong executive presence, with the ability to influence senior leaders and cross-functional teams.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, engineering, or a related field.
• 15 years of relevant B2B experience in industrial products, manufacturing, or related sectors, including 8 years in senior leadership roles.
• Background in outdoor power equipment, powertrain, or adjacent industries.
• Experience with engineered/component-based products and complex value chains.
  
  

What To Expect

• 30–40% travel for customer visits, market assessments, trade shows, and key internal meetings.
• High visibility with senior leadership and cross-functional partners.
• Direct impact on product, market, and long-term company strategy.
  
  

Why Join Hydro-Gear?

• Opportunity to set direction for products, markets, and commercial strategy at a global leader.
• A chance to build and lead a high-impact, cross-functional team.
• A culture that values innovation, customer success, and continuous improvement.
  
  

If you’re ready to shape what we build, define where we compete, and drive what’s next, we’d like to hear from you.