Business Development and Client Partnerships Lead

About the Role: SweetScience is a fast-growing, highly respected independent advertising agency expanding into Northern Virginia. This is a rare opportunity to get in early as their first on-the-ground representative—embedding yourself in the local business community, cultivating relationships, and helping high-potential companies access the marketing firepower they need to scale.

As Business Development and Client Partnerships Lead, your job is to build trust, start conversations, and help growing companies bring their brand to life through high-impact campaigns. You’ll be representing a firm with a national reputation for delivering strategic, groundbreaking marketing campaigns that work and poised to become the go-to partner for startups, founders, and high-growth businesses in the region.

This is a role for a driven connector ready for their next leap: someone with a strong local network, a reputation as a problem-solver, and a hunger to grow. You don’t need to come from an agency or marketing background—what matters most is that you’re smart, credible, and action-oriented, with a genuine interest in helping businesses grow and thrive.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the face of the firm in the Northern Virginia business community
• Build authentic, long-term relationships with founders, executives, and startup leaders
• Attend events, “walk the halls”, and create conversations with high-potential partners
• Identify, qualify, and close new business opportunities
• Translate SweetScience’s proven marketing capabilities into tailored campaigns that help clients grow
• Represent the firm’s values: quality, integrity, strategic thinking, and executional excellence
• Track pipeline activity and outcomes; contribute feedback to shape messaging and growth strategy

Who This Role is For

• You’re based in Northern Virginia, ideally near Fairfax, and plugged into the local business community
• You have a natural ability to establish credibility and make meaningful connections quickly
• You’re known as a connector, a listener, and someone who adds value in every conversation
• You have experience in business development, nonprofit development, chamber/membership roles, community partnerships, startup support organizations, or similar relationship-driven environments
• You’re ready to grow your income and career by stepping into a performance-driven, entrepreneurial role
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States

Compensation & Work Environment

This is a business development role ideal for an independent, results-oriented individual who thrives with autonomy, accountability, and a clear path to performance-based incentives.

• On Target Earnings: six figures, comprised of a competitive base salary and uncapped commission potential
• Significant upside for those who can activate their network and drive new business
• Flexible structure: part-time-to-full-time or contract-to-hire models available
• Work hours may vary based on business needs, including evening events & networking opportunities
• Not a work-from-home position. The role includes a dedicated office in Fairfax and regular in-person engagement in the surrounding area.

Application Instructions

To apply, send the following materials to info@gosweetscience.com:

1. Your resume or CV
2. A brief cover note (200–400 words) that includes:
3. Information on your local ties to Northern Virginia (especially your business or professional network)
4. An example or two of how you’ve successfully built relationships in a business or community setting, and why you’re a great fit for this role
5. A short, non-AI-generated writing sample, such as business memo, or other goal-oriented writing output.

SweetScience Marketing is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or background.