[Hiring] Senior Business Development Manager @Devoted Studios

Role Description

We're hiring a Senior Business Development Manager who can do both halves of the job: source and close new business, and grow the accounts we already have. Reporting directly to the Head of BD, you'll be the operator who makes pipeline, retention, and account growth predictable. We are open to the seniority of the role depending on candidate experience.

This is not a hunter-handoff role. You'll stay close to your accounts after signing, partner with production when issues come up, and be the operator clients trust to tell them the truth. It's also not a relationship-manager role. You'll have a personal lead-generation pipeline and you'll be measured on new logos sourced as well as existing accounts grown. We need both motions in one operator.

Key Responsibilities

• New business and pipeline
  • Identify and pursue new business opportunities, partnerships, and strategic alliances to expand Devoted's client base.
  • Build your own lead-generation pipeline — outbound, network, events — alongside developing existing relationships.
  • Run the full deal cycle: discovery, scoping with production, proposal, negotiation, and close.
  • Collaborate with the production team to identify and shape opportunities that play to Devoted's capabilities and expertise.
• Account growth and retention
  • Maintain client satisfaction at 8/10 or higher across your portfolio of clients.
  • Build and nurture strong relationships with clients at every level — operational, senior, and strategic.
  • Support the Head of BD with account retention and management strategies for the largest accounts.
  • Continuously assess and evaluate the effectiveness of business development strategies and initiatives, recommending improvements and adjustments as needed.
• Client liaison and contract
  • Be the client's primary point of contact when production issues come up — ensuring both parties focus on finding the best solution rather than placing blame.
  • Negotiate and finalize contracts and agreements with clients, partners, and vendors to ensure favorable terms and mutually beneficial relationships.
  • Support legal and finance with any questions on contracts and invoicing for current accounts.
• Operating discipline
  • Be an evangelist of CRM excellence: prepare weekly plans and report on current and prospective client communication.
  • Prepare regular status reports including activity, closings, follow-up, and adherence to goals.
  • Participate in networking events, conferences, and industry shows — represent Devoted, bring back leads and intelligence.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in business development, sales, or partnerships in the games industry, with a track record of revenue ownership at the Director level.
• Platform-agnostic experience — you've sold or grown accounts across PC, console, and mobile. Not a single-platform specialist.
• Demonstrable personal lead generation: you've built outbound discipline and converted at the top of the funnel, not just managed inbound.
• Account growth track record: existing accounts that grew quarter-over-quarter under your ownership, with measurable numbers behind it.
• Real contract negotiation experience on commercial terms — pricing, scope, IP, payment terms, indemnity.
• Strong commercial fluency: you understand margin, you know what a scope change costs, and you can read a project P&L.
• CRM discipline: HubSpot, Salesforce, or comparable — used as an operating tool, not a reporting chore.
• Outstanding relationship management and interpersonal skills — caring team player who engages effectively across all levels of management, staff, and clients.
• Excellent presentation, written, and spoken English — comfortable in front of senior client stakeholders and on stage at industry events.
• Strong analytical and project management skills — able to juggle multiple deals and accounts, prioritize ruthlessly, and meet tight deadlines without losing the detail.
• Genuine knowledge of and passion for video games and the broader games ecosystem — engines, platforms, business models, who's hot and who's fading.
• Calm under pressure, organized, accountable. World-class quality is the only acceptable standard.

Nice to Have

• Experience selling co-development, porting, art services, or other game services (vs. only IP licensing or publishing).
• Existing personal network across publishers, platform holders, and mid-to-large independent studios in North America and Europe.
• Experience hiring and mentoring junior BD or lead-gen staff.
• Conference circuit familiarity: GDC, Gamescom, Devcom, regional summits.
• Familiarity with advanced research tools and resources for prospecting and intelligence.

Benefits

• This is a full-time employment position, benefits vary depending on whether the candidate is based in either the U.S. or Canada.