The Capitol Forum is seeking a hands-on Business Development Director to spearhead our European commercial growth. Reporting to the Chief Revenue Officer, this Brussels-based leader will personally originate and close business, own and develop important client accounts, and lead and coach colleagues across our European business development team. This is a player-coach role with substantial individual revenue responsibility alongside commercial leadership. Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is required, including the ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, clients, and external stakeholders.
Position And Key Responsibilities
- Own European business development priorities and territory plans, identifying attractive market segments, target accounts, and routes to market.
- Personally prospect, pitch, negotiate, and close new subscriptions; maintain and grow a portfolio of strategic client relationships and remain accountable for individual sales results.
- Lead, coach, and coordinate Europe-based sales colleagues, including team members in Brussels and London, through pipeline reviews, joint selling, and practical development.
- Build senior relationships across investment firms, law firms, corporates, and other relevant institutions, taking initiative to open doors and cultivate long-term partnerships.
- Proactively gather market intelligence and work with editorial colleagues to communicate emerging client needs, priority issues, and potential coverage opportunities while respecting editorial independence.
- Conceive and execute targeted commercial initiatives, including client briefings, roundtables, lunches, dinners, and other relationship-building events in coordination with relevant teams.
- Set and refine account segmentation, prospecting priorities, and regional go-to-market approaches based on market opportunity and client feedback.
- Take ownership of revenue targets, pipeline quality, forecasting, and effective execution across the region.
- Develop a detailed understanding of The Capitol Forum’s reporting, analysis, and subscriber value proposition.
- Build and maintain productive relationships with prospective and existing clients.
- Maintain accurate CRM records, pipeline information, and sales forecasts.
- Collaborate with colleagues across sales, marketing, and editorial, sharing relevant market and client feedback.
Qualifications And Experience
- Minimum 3 years of experience, with a demonstrated track record of personally winning complex B2B subscription, intelligence, research, data, or information-services business.
- Experience coaching or leading sales colleagues while maintaining an active personal book of business.
- Ability to originate senior-level relationships, navigate complex buying groups, and manage important accounts.
- Commercial judgment to prioritize segments, create market-facing initiatives, and translate client feedback into action.
- Credibility discussing nuanced policy, legal, financial, or regulatory topics with sophisticated clients.
- Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Entrepreneurial, self-directed approach with a bias toward execution and measurable outcomes.
- Relevant degree or equivalent professional experience; European market experience is an advantage.
Compensation And Benefits
Compensation will reflect experience.
- Flexible hybrid working arrangement based in Brussels (2–3 days per week in the office).
- Generous paid vacation plan.
- Opportunity for professional growth in an expanding, influential media organization.
- Collaborative, learning-oriented environment and benefits stipend.
About Us
The Capitol Forum is an independent media organization delivering investigative journalism and legal analysis on consequential competition policy and regulatory issues. Our subscribers include investors, law firms, corporations, regulators, and policymakers.
Building on our established presence in the United States, we are expanding our European business. Our reporting helps clients understand regulatory developments and their implications for markets, transactions, and industries.
Application
Submissions
How To Apply
Please send your CV and a brief cover letter to info@thecapitolforum.com with the subject line “Business Development Director – [Your Name]”.
The Capitol Forum is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace.
