Director of Business Development Higher Education (Food Service Management)

About the Role

About Genuine Foods At Genuine Foods, we’re building the future of food service—one partnership, one meal, one community at a time. We create exceptional dining experiences focused on culinary excellence, hospitality, and wellness—unlocking potential and fueling connection in every community we serve. As a fast-growing, purpose-driven company operating nationwide, we’re looking for bold, passionate leaders to help us expand our impact across schools, campuses, healthcare facilities, and beyond. Director of Business Development – Higher Education Genuine Foods | Remote (with travel) We are seeking an accomplished and strategic Director of Business Development – Higher Education to lead sales efforts in the college and university segment. The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial sales leader with a proven track record of selling contract foodservice management solutions to higher education institutions. This individual thrives on building meaningful relationships, crafting tailored solutions, and driving measurable growth through a consultative sales process. This is a remote role with national travel requirements.

What you'll do

• Lead Sales Strategy: Develop and execute effective sales strategies to achieve individual and organizational revenue goals within the higher education market.
• Pipeline Development: Build and manage a robust three-year pipeline of qualified prospects; leverage CRM tools to ensure consistent tracking and communication.
• Proposal & RFP Management: Evaluate RFPs and RFIs for alignment and viability; lead the development of pricing and technical proposals using company resources and financial modeling tools.
• Client Engagement: Initiate and manage client relationships throughout the sales cycle, including discovery meetings, presentations, tastings, and contract negotiations.
• Industry & Market Research: Stay current on competitor activity, industry trends, and client needs; use insights to refine Genuine Foods' positioning and sales process.
• Regulatory Compliance: Maintain working knowledge of contracting regulations and institutional requirements for higher education clients.
• Internal Collaboration: Partner with culinary, operations, marketing, and leadership teams to develop and present comprehensive, client-centered solutions.
• Provide regular updates to leadership on sales activity, pipeline status, and market intelligence; ensure CRM data is accurate and up to date.

What we're looking for

• Minimum 5 years of consultative sales experience, including at least 3 years selling contract foodservice management solutions to higher education institutions.
• Strong understanding of campus dining operations, student experience priorities, and university procurement and contracting processes.
• Demonstrated success in developing complex proformas and conducting financial analysis.
• Track record of exceeding sales targets and negotiating successful contracts.
• Proficiency in identifying and responding to RFPs/RFIs.
• Existing network and higher education client relationships strongly preferred.
• Entrepreneurial, self-directed, and collaborative mindset with strong adaptability and problem-solving skills