Vice President, Business Development

Hawke was founded on the idea that every modern business needs a CMO-level expert to lead digital marketing efforts. We customize data-driven, performance-focused solutions to help launch, scale, and invigorate businesses of all sizes, industries, and revenue models. We’ve been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, Inc., Business Insider, and CNN, and boast clients such as Red Bull, Verizon, Crocs, Casamigos, K-Swiss (and many more). 

We are seeking a highly entrepreneurial, strategic, and relationship-driven VP of Business Development to lead the growth and development of Hawke’s strategic alliances, media, technology, and non-endemic partnerships, and co-marketing initiatives. This individual will play a critical role in expanding our agency’s growth and creating mutually beneficial relationships that drive innovation, new client acquisition, and revenue growth.

This role offers a $150,000 base salary plus performance-based variable compensation with On-Target Earnings (OTE). The VP Business Development is a revenue-generating leader. Variable compensation is directly tied to measurable new revenue generated through partnerships, including:

• Partner-sourced new business revenue
• Partner-influenced closed revenue
• Signed high-value referral and technology partnerships that generate pipeline
• Strategic co-selling initiatives that convert into closed-won clients

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a Partnerships strategy aligned with Hawke’s agency goals, with a focus on generating leads, driving revenue growth, and creating partner and client value.
• Act as a player-coach in the Partnerships department and identify, negotiate, and manage strategic partnerships with technology platforms, media partners, non-endemic partners, and complementary services agencies.
• Operate like a founder — proactively identify, pitch, and close new referral and technology partnerships without waiting for direction or inbound opportunities.
• Manage and optimize current partner relationships, including onboarding, negotiation, co-marketing, lead generation, co-selling, and performance tracking.
• Represent Hawke Media at industry events, conferences, and networking events to build new relationships, stay ahead of market trends, generate leads, and sign new partners.
• Evaluate partnerships not on vanity metrics, but on pipeline generated, deals influenced, and revenue closed.
• Structure innovative partnership models (rev share, bundled services, co-branded offers, events, content collaborations) to create win-win growth engines.
• Build trust with executives at tech platforms (e.g., Shopify ecosystem partners, lifecycle marketing platforms, etc.) and turn relationships into revenue-producing channels.
• Consistently source and sign high-value referral partners with strong networks that can drive measurable new business revenue.
• Lead partnership marketing initiatives, including co-branded campaigns, webinars, joint thought leadership, case studies, whitepapers, etc.
• Monitor competitive landscape and emerging trends to identify new opportunities for innovation and collaboration with agency partners.       
• Report on partnership KPIs and deliver insights to leadership to inform strategy and investment.
• Develop partnership education materials in collaboration with our in-house marketing team.
• Engage directly as needed with senior stakeholders from both Hawke Media and our partners; embody Hawke’s brand values and culture as an ambassador.

Skills and Experience

• 5-10 years of experience in partnerships, business development, or strategic alliances
• 1+ years of experience leading a partnerships or growth team.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required.     
• Strong understanding of the advertising and marketing ecosystem (digital, media, platforms, data, and emerging tech).
• Proven track record of sourcing and closing high-value partnerships.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• Strategic thinker with a passion for innovation and collaboration.
• Strong project management skills and attention to detail.
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or related field. 
• Proven track record of monetizing personal and professional network, partners, and strategic alliances.

• Opportunity to shape the partnerships team and strategy at a fast-growing agency.
• Work with forward-thinking partners, clients, and an innovative team.
• Collaborative culture that values creativity and results.

Objective: Understand our business and partner ecosystem and build a revenue-focused partnerships roadmap.

• Conduct deep immersion into Hawke’s services, ideal client profile (ICP), sales process, and historical partnership performance.
   
• Audit existing referral and tech partnerships (e.g., Klaviyo, Shopify ecosystem, referral partners, etc.) and identify gaps, under-leveraged relationships, and revenue opportunities.
   
• Define target partner profiles (individual referrers, agencies, SaaS platforms, communities, VCs, etc.) aligned with Hawke’s growth goals.
   
• Build a prioritized target list of 50–100 high-potential partners.
   
• Develop a 90-day partnership action plan with clear revenue and pipeline targets.
   

Success signal: Clear partnership strategy + active outreach underway.

Objective: Start generating real pipeline.

• Initiate outbound outreach and secure introductory meetings with at least 50-100 qualified prospective partners.
   
• Close and onboard the first wave of new referral partners.
   
• Launch 5+ co-marketing or co-selling initiatives with tech partners (webinars, events, email swaps, bundled offers, etc.).
   
• Establish tracking mechanisms with sales to attribute partner-sourced pipeline and revenue.
   
• Formalize a scalable referral framework (commission structure, enablement materials, pitch decks, intro templates).
   

Success signal: Partner-sourced leads entering pipeline and first influenced opportunities in progress.

Objective: Demonstrate measurable revenue impact and build repeatability.

• Close and monetize new referral partnerships
   
• Generate six-figures in revenue pipeline
   
• Launch a repeatable quarterly co-marketing calendar with top-performing partners.
   
• Present a 6–12 month partnership growth roadmap tied directly to revenue targets.
   

Success signal: Partnerships are producing measurable pipeline and are a core growth channel.

“Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire. The company is not able to sponsor employment visas for this position at this time.”

Perks and Benefits

Health and Wellness

• Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage
• Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Financial Benefits

• Competitive Base Salary
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Life and Disability Insurance

Time Off

• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Paternal/Maternal Leave

Growth and Development

• Ongoing Training and Learning Opportunities
• Career Path Progression