Director of Business Development (Craig Group)

We are working with Craig Group to fill this role for their internal team.

Who is Craig Group?

Craig Group is an operator-led go-to-market strategy and execution partner for private equity and PE-backed lower middle market portfolio companies. We are technology-enabled and AI-supported, built to accelerate organic growth within the realities of a hold period. We work with management teams and operating partners to identify the highest-value segments, clarify ICP and messaging, and build a repeatable revenue engine across marketing, sales, and customer expansion, then implement the plan so results show up in pipeline quality, win rate, deal size, recurring revenue, profitability, and EBITDA.

Job Description

We seek a dynamic, well-connected Business Development leader with direct experience in engaging private equity (PE) firms, family offices, and independent sponsors, as well as their portfolio companies. This individual will focus on opening doors - building relationships with PE firms, family offices, independent sponsors, and portfolio company leadership - and generating a consistent flow of qualified introductions for Craig Group’s growth advisory services. Once an introduction is made, you’ll hand the opportunity to a dedicated Solution Sales Engineer, who partners with you to scope, nurture, and close the engagement. This role owns the relationship and the door-opening; it does not own scoping, proposal development, or closing. This role manages an external BDR role.

Responsibilities

PE Relationship Development:

• Build and nurture relationships with private equity firms, independent sponsors, and family offices, including deal teams, operating partners, and executives of portfolio companies.
• Be an active and helpful presence in the market, establishing relationships with industry partners such as ACG and AM&AA.
• Work as a thought leader, volunteering for panel discussions and speaking engagements as available
• National coverage (excluding California and Pennsylvania) of PE firms in Craig Group’s ICP Pipeline Generation
• Identify PE firms and portfolio companies in the specific ICP that are in market for Craig Group’s advisory and execution engagements, prioritizing those positioned for larger, multi-phase commitments.
• Secure introductory meetings between PE partners, portfolio company CEOs, and the Craig Group team.

Handoff & Collaboration with Solution Sales Engineer

• Partner closely with the solutions team to ensure a clean, well-documented handoff of every introduction.
• Provide relationship context and history to support scoping conversations, and remain available as the relationship owner throughout the sales cycle.
• Collaborate with the solutions team on account strategy and prioritization without owning day-to-day scoping, proposal development, or deal closing.

Market Intelligence:

• Stay informed on PE market trends, portfolio activity, and standard growth levers used across industries to inform outreach strategy.

CRM & Reporting:

• Maintain accurate, timely records of all relationship-building and introduction activity in CRM.
• Report regularly on network growth, introduction volume, and pipeline quality/handoff rate.

Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field (MBA or equivalent is strongly preferred).
• 10 years of proven experience in business development or relationship management, specifically PE firms, family offices, independent sponsors, or adjacent fields (banking, diligence, etc.).
• Prior experience in a PE-backed environment, in-house, or as an advisor/partner.
• Comfortable engaging with C-level executives, investment partners, and senior operators.
• A confident public presence - comfortable representing the firm at conferences and on panels.
• Technology savvy with a high level of experience working in Cloud-based platforms, asynchronous work, and AI-enabled workflows.
• Self-starter with strong organizational, networking, and consultative selling skills.
• Familiar with and willing to be an expert user of GTM technologies used by Craig Group (HubSpot, LinkedIn, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, RB2B, Hublead, Clay.com ).
• Always a team player; positive, optimistic, and willing to help wherever needed.
• When in doubt, you choose to ‘figure things out’ before seeking help from others
• Intellectually curious, lifelong learner.
• Located in: Houston, Dallas, or Chicago

Benefits and Perks

• This is a W-2, full-time position working at least forty (40) hours per week.
• Work-from-home (WFH) with significant travel required; option to work in the office if close to the Texas hub.
• Self-managed time off.
• A free-market healthcare access benefit.
• A technology stipend.