Corporate Business Development, Vice President

Capstone is seeking a Vice President of Business Development to join our growing team. This role is focused exclusively on new client acquisition identifying, targeting, and converting corporate clients into long-term partners. 

The ideal candidate is a highly motivated commercial professional who understands how to sell a premium, insight-driven product. This person will serve as the first point of entry into Capstone, introducing our firm’s capabilities, articulating the value of our work, and successfully initiating client relationships. Once a deal is secured, the VP will transition the account to internal teams for relationship management, project execution, and upselling. 

This is a high-visibility, externally focused role that combines strategic outreach, storytelling, and sharp commercial instincts. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Lead Generation & Prospecting: 
  Identify and engage potential clients, with a focus on institutional investors, private equity firms, corporates, and other strategic stakeholders. 

• Sales Execution: 
  Clearly communicate Capstone’s value proposition, build trust quickly, and move prospects through the funnel to close new business. 

• Market Awareness: 
  Stay informed on market trends, client needs, and policy developments across sectors to tailor outreach and product positioning. 

• Collaboration & Handoff: 
  Coordinate closely with internal Account Management and Research teams to ensure smooth transitions once accounts are secured. 

• CRM & Reporting: 
  Maintain accurate pipeline tracking using CRM tools, and report on business development progress and performance. 

• External Engagement: 
  Represent Capstone at industry conferences, events, and meetings to enhance brand visibility and generate qualified leads. 

Qualifications: 

Successful candidates will possess the following attributes: 

• Intellectual curiosity and the ability to think strategically and creatively 

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with executive presence 

• A clear, persuasive communicator of value and insight 

• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and prioritize effectively 

• Demonstrated commercial instincts and deal-closing capability 

• Passion for policy, markets, and helping clients make better decisions 

Education and Experience Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree with a record of academic achievement 

• Minimum 5 years of experience in consulting, investment banking, business development, investor relations, or related fields 

• Proven track record of successful client origination and sales 

• Experience selling research, data, or insight-driven products is a plus 

Strong MS Excel skills; familiarity with CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce) 

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.