Business Development Manager

Job Scope:

The Business Development Manager drives Sunward's membership growth and product engagement by building and managing strategic relationships with local businesses, schools, nonprofits, and community leaders. This role translates organizational objectives into actionable plans, executes initiatives to strengthen Sunward's visibility and credibility, and identifies opportunities that deliver measurable impact on the financial wellness of members. The position requires both strategic insight and hands-on execution, including planning and coordinating outreach efforts, managing partnerships, and addressing operational challenges within established procedures, while collaborating across internal teams to ensure alignment and consistency in messaging.

Essential Functions

• Drive membership growth by identifying and pursuing business development opportunities with local employers, community organizations, and underserved markets, and develop plans to increase penetration within top Select Employee Groups.
• Establish and maintain strategic relationships with local businesses, schools, nonprofits, and associations to promote Sunward products and services.
• Represent Sunward at community events, financial wellness workshops, networking functions, and select sponsorship activations to enhance visibility and credibility.
• Coordinate and execute onsite visits, presentations, and membership initiatives to support existing Select Employee Groups.
• Collaborate with marketing, business services, lending, and retail teams to support promotions, product launches, and targeted outreach campaigns.
• Monitor competitive activity, community trends, and business development performance metrics to inform outreach strategies and execution.
• Support the promotion and delivery of financial literacy programs in partnership with the Community Engagement team, focusing on outreach and execution rather than program design.

Requirements:

Qualifications:

Experience and Education

• 6+ years of experience in business development, outside sales, or community engagement, preferably in financial services and/or the Albuquerque area.
• Demonstrated track record of driving measurable growth or impact through partnerships, campaigns, or business development initiatives.
• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, communications, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

Leadership Competencies

• Demonstrates strategic thinking and initiative, able to translate organizational objectives into actionable plans.
• Highly collaborative, able to work effectively across teams and influence without direct authority.
• Self-starter with strong organizational and time management skills, able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Exercises practical judgment to resolve issues, adapt to evolving priorities, and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Demonstrates accountability and integrity in decision-making and interactions with external and internal stakeholders.

Knowledge

• Comfortable with data analysis, reporting, and using insights to inform strategy and operational execution.
• Knowledge of financial services products, industry trends, and community/business engagement practices preferred.
• Understanding of compliance requirements and organizational policies relevant to business development.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Skills/Abilities

• Proven ability to build and maintain strategic client relationships and partnerships
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively to diverse audiences
• Ability to travel locally throughout Albuquerque and surrounding areas to meet with partners, attend events, and conduct onsite visits; valid driver's license required
• Able to operate independently while coordinating with multiple teams to achieve business objectives
• Comfortable navigating fast paced, evolving environments where processes may be established iteratively

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Frequent use of standard office equipment, including computers, phones, and printers.
• Ability to participate in extended periods of meetings, presentations, and community events, sometimes requiring standing or walking for several hours.
• Occasional lifting of materials or event supplies up to 25 pounds.
• Work is primarily performed in an office environment but also requires regular offsite travel to client locations, community events, and Sunward facilities.
• Position may require occasional evening or early morning hours to attend events, meetings, or partner activities.