Director of Business Development – Education (70312475)

Job Description

How You’ll Make an Impact:

Sodexo is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven sales professional to drive new business growth across the Education segment, supporting both K–12 and Campus & Universities. This front-line business development role combines enterprise selling with proactive pipeline development and consultative client engagement, focused on identifying, qualifying, and closing complex, multi-service opportunities across Sodexo’s integrated portfolio. The ideal candidate brings strong business acumen, executive presence, and resilience, with the ability to navigate a highly matrixed organization while collaborating closely with Marketing, Operations, Finance, and segment leadership to deliver client-centered solutions and measurable growth.

As a Director of Business Development – Education, you will:

Strategic Business Development

• Identify, develop, and qualify new business opportunities across K–12 Schools and Campus & Universities markets.
• Execute strategic account-based prospecting campaigns in partnership with Marketing and Segment Leadership.
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of qualified opportunities through proactive outreach, networking, conferences, digital engagement, and relationship development.
• Drive both large strategic pursuits and smaller transactional growth opportunities across the territory.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify emerging opportunities and client needs.

Full Sales Cycle Leadership

• Own the full sales cycle from prospecting and discovery through solution development, proposal strategy, negotiation, and contract execution.
• Lead consultative and challenger-style sales conversations to uncover operational challenges and position Sodexo’s integrated solutions as differentiated value.

Relationship Management & Client Engagement

• Build strong relationships with superintendents, university administrators, procurement leaders, executive stakeholders, and C-suite decision makers.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients throughout the buying process and ongoing partnership lifecycle.
• Build long-term account value through strategic relationship management and executive engagement.
• Support retention efforts, rebids, contract reviews, and account expansion initiatives as required.
• Represent Sodexo at industry conferences, trade shows, networking events, and partnership forums.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate effectively across operations, finance, legal, marketing, HR, culinary, and proposal teams to develop winning solutions.
• Participate in pipeline reviews, segment meetings, strategic planning sessions, and leadership discussions.
• Ensure strong communication and alignment among internal and external stakeholders throughout the sales process.

Operational Excellence

• Maintain accurate CRM records, opportunity tracking, forecasting, and reporting.
• Manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Prepare presentations, strategic account plans, proposals, and executive summaries.
• Demonstrate disciplined pipeline management and forecasting accuracy.
• Develop compelling business cases, value propositions, ROI models, and customized client solutions.
• Coordinate proposal development activities with internal stakeholders to ensure high-quality submissions and presentations.
• Lead contract negotiations and facilitate successful deal closure.

Qualifications

What You’ll Need to Succeed

• 7+ years of business development or strategic sales experience selling complex, enterprise-level, multi-service solutions
• Proven success in proactive prospecting, pipeline generation, consultative selling, and leading complex RFP processes/contracts
• Experience in Food Services, Facilities Management, Property Management, or similar service-based industries
• Education sector experience (K–12 and/or post-secondary), public sector, or regulated environments preferred
• Strong executive presence with excellent negotiation, presentation, communication, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills
• Strong business and financial acumen, including pricing, financial modeling, and operating statements
• Experience collaborating across matrixed organizations and cross-functional teams
• Proficiency with Salesforce or similar CRM platforms
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required
• Indigenous partnership experience and bilingual French/English are assets
• Ability to travel throughout assigned territory (40–60%)

Additional Information

What Makes Sodexo Different:

Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater because we believe our everyday actions have a big impact. You belong in a company that allows you to act with purpose and thrive in your own way. In addition, we offer:

• Flexible work environment
• Competitive compensation & great employee benefits
• Training and development programs
• Countless opportunities for growth
• Corporate responsibility & sustainability
• An award-winning employer for Sustainability, Diversity & Inclusion, Corporate Social Responsibility, and much more. View Sodexo’s latest awards here
• And so much more!

Sodexo is committed to Employment Equity and Diversity. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of national origin, race, religion, ethnic group, age, disability, gender, sexual preference, sexual or gender identity, status as a veteran or any other federal, provincial or local protected class.

We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodation is available on request from candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Sodexo is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our team members, customers, clients, contractors, business partners, guests, and members of the public with whom we regularly interact. We require that all new hires in hospitals, long term care facilities, and senior homes to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and may require any other new hires to be fully vaccinated based on the location and scope of their employment.

Thank you for your interest in Sodexo.

Please note that only those candidates under consideration will be contacted.

Follow us on social media to see first-hand what we are all about!

Instagram: @SodexoCanada

LinkedIn: Sodexo Canada Careers

Facebook: Sodexo Canada

SodexoSJP