Senior Business Development Manager

Leonardo.Ai, an Australian tech startup now a part of Canva, is on a transformative mission to democratise design and ignite the world's creativity through our groundbreaking AI-powered platform.

The role

We are seeking a Senior Business Development Manager to join our fast-growing Business Development team at Leonardo.Ai. This role will focus on driving growth within our SMB vertical, with a focus on industries such as marketing, advertising, gaming, and other creative sectors. The ideal candidate is a proven sales professional with experience in identifying, qualifying, and closing new business opportunities. As a senior leader within our US Market, you will partner closely with the Head of Business Development to build scalable sales strategies, expand client relationships, and position Leonardo.Ai as the go-to platform for creative industries.

This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of the US SMB growth strategy, ensuring our AI solutions deliver measurable impact across creative sectors.

What you'll do:

• Drive Strategic Growth: Lead efforts to expand our Teams and API product adoption by identifying high-impact opportunities and building strategic client relationships.

• Own the Sales Pipeline: Build, manage, and expand a robust pipeline of qualified leads across the SMB vertical, driving deals from first contact to close.

• Develop Strategic Partnerships: Identify key stakeholders, influencers, and decision-makers to cultivate long-term partnerships that align with Leonardo.Ai's product roadmap and value proposition.

• Deliver High-Impact Demos & Presentations: Conduct compelling product demonstrations, discovery sessions, and solution presentations that clearly communicate how our AI platform solves client challenges.

• Shape Sales Strategies: Collaborate with the Head of Business Development to develop targeted sales strategies for different creative industry segments, ensuring alignment with company goals.

• Collaborate with Cross-Functional Teams: Work closely with marketing, product, and technical solutions consultants to ensure seamless onboarding, implementation, and customer satisfaction.

• Market Intelligence: Stay informed about industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitive movements to strategically position Leonardo.Ai as the leading platform for creative professionals.

• Drive Process Improvement: Contribute to the evolution of our sales processes by providing insights, feedback, and recommendations to improve our approach.

• Mentor and Guide Junior Team Members: Provide mentorship and guidance to help develop the skills of less experienced team members.

Skills we love:

• 5+ years of direct sales or business development experience in software, cloud, or SaaS markets with a proven track record of meeting or exceeding revenue targets.

• Experience driving new business growth through proactive prospecting, including cold outreach, warm introductions, and leveraging personal networks.

• Exceptional skills in navigating complex sales cycles and negotiating high-value deals with creative industry clients.

• Strong understanding of B2B SaaS technology and the ability to effectively communicate technical concepts in a clear and impactful way.

• Proven ability to thrive in unstructured environments with minimal supervision, demonstrating strong initiative and adaptability.

• Collaborative mindset with the ability to partner effectively across marketing, product, and customer success teams.

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills with a focus on building trust and long-term client relationships.

• Willingness to travel within the US and North America as needed to meet clients and drive new business.

• Located on the East Coast, Austin, or Texas State preferred.

• Experience in AI or solutions targeting creative industries such as Gaming, Marketing, or Advertising is a significant advantage.

Our Culture:

• Inclusive Culture: We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered.

• Flexible Work Environment: We understand the importance of work-life balance.

• Empowering Growth: Your development is our priority.

• Impactful Work: Join us in shaping the future of AI.

Leonardo.Ai Benefits:

• Impact the Future of AI

• Competitive salary and equity

• Private Healthcare

• Remote and hybrid work options

• 6 weeks working abroad

• 18 weeks of gender-neutral paid parental leave

• Wellness budget

• Home office budget

• Training and conference expenses

• Fun and engaging company events, both virtual and in-person