Business Development Manager
AI Summary
A seasoned business development professional leads new-business growth in a defined state or region, building and maintaining deep relationships with superintendents, transportation directors, and public-sector officials to expand Zūm’s student mobility footprint.
About this role
About Zūm:
Who You Are:
What You'll Do:
Lead new-business growth for Zūm across a defined state or regional territory (e.g., Texas or New York), building and executing a strategic account and government-relations plan
Build and personally maintain deep, durable relationships with Superintendents, district Transportation Directors, Business/Finance Officials, and state-level transportation or education officials
Represent Zūm in person — conferences, association events, district visits, and relationship-building engagements (dinners, site visits, industry functions)
Identify and qualify new business opportunities by tracking district budget cycles, contract expirations, RFP calendars, and state policy or funding shifts that create openings
Support competitive public-sector RFP processes, assembling and coaching internal teams through written responses and oral/interview presentations
Serve as the trusted advisor and go-to relationship for named accounts even after close, ensuring smooth handoff to Operations and protecting the relationship through renewal
Represent Zūm with state pupil transportation associations, school board associations, and relevant government affairs forums to build brand presence and credibility
What You Bring To Zūm:
10+ years of business development, sales, or government relations experience in student transportation, transit, or a closely related public-sector-facing industry
Existing, active relationships with Superintendents, Transportation Directors, and/or state transportation or education officials— this is a relationship-first hire, not a cold-start territory builder
Demonstrated success managing long, multi-stakeholder public-sector sales cycles and competitive government RFP processes, including oral/interview presentations
Strong consultative selling skills: ability to diagnose a district's pressures and position Zūm CMX credibly
High degree of personal integrity and discretion. This role represents Zūm to public officials and must navigate procurement ethics rules and gift/hospitality policies correctly
Existing membership or active involvement in state pupil transportation associations (e.g., TAPT in Texas, NYAPT in New York) or national bodies (NAPT, NSTA)
Bachelor's degree, though relevant relationship depth and track record will outweigh formal education requirements
Skills
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