International Business Development Lead

Job Description

The International Business Development Lead plays a critical role in driving District Eight’s international sales growth.

1. Global Sales Strategy & Planning

• Develop and implement the international business development strategy aligned with commercial targets and brand direction.
• Define regional priorities (Europe, North America, APAC, Middle East) and identify key growth opportunities by channel.
• Build and maintain a comprehensive sales funnel — from lead generation to account conversion.
• Set quarterly KPIs and reporting mechanisms in collaboration with the Commercial Director.

2. Lead Generation & Pipeline Development

• Source, build, and maintain a qualified database of potential trade partners, distributors, and design studios.
• Conduct targeted outreach (email campaigns, cold calls, social engagement, LinkedIn prospecting) to generate new business leads.
• Manage and track all prospects in the CRM system (Salesforce or equivalent).
• Partner with marketing to align lead generation activities with brand campaigns, trade fairs, and digital activations.

3. Client Acquisition & Relationship Building

• Initiate contact, pitch the District Eight brand, and negotiate trade terms with potential partners.
• Manage the onboarding of new accounts and ensure a smooth handover to the Account & Sales Operations team for servicing.
• Build a professional network of designers, retailers, and distributors that supports long-term brand positioning.
• Represent the brand in client meetings, tradeshows, and virtual presentations.

4. Market Development & Insights

• Research market trends, competitor activity, and distribution models across regions.
• Identify gaps and new opportunities for District Eight’s collections in key international markets.
• Provide strategic recommendations on product positioning, pricing, and sales channels based on market insights.

5. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Brand, Marketing, and Product teams to ensure alignment between brand storytelling and sales messaging.
• Coordinate with the Account & Sales Operations team to ensure accurate client follow-up and CRM data.
• Contribute to the planning and execution of international tradeshows and client events.

6. Reporting & Performance Tracking

• Maintain clear and updated sales funnel metrics — leads generated, conversions, and revenue forecasts.
• Report weekly and monthly performance to the Commercial Director.
• Evaluate ROI of outreach campaigns and continuously refine sales tactics.

Job Requirement

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, International Trade, or a related field.
• 5–6 years of experience in international business development or sales within furniture, design, interiors, or related industries.
• Proven ability to generate and convert leads across multiple regions.
• Existing network of trade contacts (dealers, distributors, designers, or architects) preferred.
• Strong understanding of B2B sales processes, pricing models, and trade partnership structures.
• Experience with CRM tools and lead research platforms (LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Apollo, etc.).
• Excellent written and spoken English; additional European language(s) a plus.