Director of Business Development

Client Relationship Management:

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key clients, stakeholders, and decision-makers within the rail industry customer.
• Serve as the main point of contact for existing and prospective clients, providing tailored solutions to meet their needs.
• Conduct regular meetings and reviews with clients to understand their business needs, concerns, and goals.

Business Development:

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities in the rail account by researching and understanding market trends, customer needs, and competitor offerings.
• Build and maintain a pipeline of potential opportunities, ensuring a consistent flow of new projects and revenue.
• Ensure meeting quarterly and yearly account targets

Sales and Negotiations:

• Lead the preparation of proposals, contracts, and pricing models tailored to client specifications.
• Negotiate terms and pricing with clients to secure long-term contracts.
• Meet or exceed sales targets and KPIs to drive business growth.

Project Management and Delivery:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including operations, logistics, and project managers, to ensure timely and efficient delivery of rail customer account.
• Monitor the progress of contracts and projects, ensuring that they are completed on schedule and within budget.
• Address any client issues or concerns, providing prompt and effective solutions.

Market Intelligence:

• Stay up to date with the latest industry trends, technological advancements, and regulatory changes affecting the rail sector.
• Provide insights and strategic recommendations to senior management on market dynamics and growth opportunities.

Reporting and Analytics:

• Maintain accurate records of client interactions, opportunities, and sales progress.
• Regularly report on account performance, forecast future business opportunities, and track KPIs.
• Analyze financial performance and operational efficiency to ensure maximum profitability.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Transport Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• A master’s degree or relevant certifications (such as a professional qualification in rail or transportation management) is a plus.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10-15 years of experience in account management, sales, or business development within the rail, transport, or logistics sectors.
• Proven track record of managing key accounts and achieving sales targets.
• Experience working with rail operators, infrastructure providers, or supply chain partners is highly desirable.

Industry Knowledge:

• Strong understanding of the rail industry, including freight and passenger transport, rail operations, safety standards, and regulations.
• Familiarity with industry trends, challenges, and innovations (e.g., digitalization, sustainability, and automation).

Skills:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships with clients and internal teams.
• Strong negotiation, presentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple accounts and projects simultaneously.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with an ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
• Microsoft Office Suite- Word, PowerPoint, Excel
• Analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and create actionable insights.
• A strategic mindset with a focus on long-term client success and business growth.

Personal Attributes:

• Proactive, self-motivated, and results driven.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle complex client requests.
• Strong team player with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and customer service orientation.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience in international rail business or knowledge of global rail market dynamics.
• Understanding of sustainable and green transport solutions in the rail industry.
• Fluency in additional languages - Italian, German

Working Conditions:

• Full-time position with a combination of office and client-facing work.
• Occasional travel required to meet clients and attend industry events.
• Competitive salary with performance-based incentives and benefits.

Must-Haves

Engineering of IT services exposure is mandatory

1. Rail Domain Experience is a must

2. 10–15 Years of "Rail-Specific" Sales/BD

3. Proven Account Ownership ($5M Portfolio)

4. Must have experience in Leading the preparation of proposals and pricing models. They need experience in complex RFP (Request for Proposal) processes specific to the transportation industry, including safety standards and regulatory compliance.

6. Must have experience driving large deals and deep networks in Rail OEM companies.

7. Individual Contributor (IC) Role

8. Farming experience is needed, can also be a hunter role

9. The person must be based in Pittsburgh or Canada, but once they are in Canada, their exact city is not important (location‑agnostic within Canada and should be able to travel to US as required.)

10. Design of locomotive is required rather than production companies.

11. The candidate must have experience leading Managed Services or Fixed-Price contract negotiations, rather than just "body shopping" or staff augmentation.

EEO Statement:

VLink is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Applicant information will be handled in accordance with VLink's privacy policy.