Business Development Manager

• Own the full sales cycle
• Apply your consultative selling skills
• Generate your own leads
• Base salary + bonus + wellbeing benefit + 5 weeks annual leave + phone & laptop

Why Swell & Why Now?

Swell exists to help Kiwi businesses access government funding to accelerate their innovation and growth.  We simplify the funding process so our clients can focus on doing what they do best: building world-class innovations.

Our small but mighty team combines international experience with local know-how to deliver outstanding results.  We help clients extend cash flow, invest in new technology, expand their reach, and hire the right people.  And we're just getting started.

What's the role?

As Business Development Manager, you'll own the full sales cycle for R&D Tax Incentive (RDTI) opportunities from lead generation through to contract signature. You'll be a hunter, building pipeline, opening doors with senior decision-makers, and converting high-value opportunities that genuinely help businesses grow.

This isn't order-taking. It's consultative selling where you'll need to understand technical challenges, ask smart questions, and position Swell as the partner of choice for businesses undertaking R&D.

You'll work closely with the Head of Growth and Managing Director, playing a pivotal role in achieving Swell's ambitious FY27 growth targets and our bold goal of unlocking $100 million in R&D funding for Kiwi businesses by a target we call the Swell100.

What skills and experience do I need?

These are our must-haves:

• 3+ years in a business development or sales role with a proven track record of success
• Experience selling services (not just products)
• Engineering or Commerce degree
• Consultative selling approach
• Self-generated lead experience
• Highly coachable with a growth mindset

These are other skills or experience we'd love you to have:

• Technical sales experience in complex or specialist fields
• Well-connected within an industry or sector that undertakes R&D (software, technology, engineering, manufacturing)
• Understanding of basic accounting principles
• Familiarity with HubSpot CRM
• Experience with DocuSign, ChatGPT and Canva

You'll also be able to demonstrate:

• Natural hunter mentality: You thrive on prospecting, initiating conversations, and opening doors with new clients
• Builds trust quickly: You establish credibility and rapport with senior business leaders and technical decision-makers
• Results-driven: You consistently meet or exceed targets and take ownership of your pipeline and outcomes
• Strong communicator: You articulate value clearly and confidently in both written and verbal formats
• Self-starter: You take initiative, manage your time effectively, and operate independently with minimal supervision
• Commercially savvy: You understand how businesses make decisions and what drives value for clients

What we'd like to know about you:

To help us understand your experience and approach, please address the following questions in your cover letter:

1.   Tell us about a time you generated your own leads and converted a particularly challenging opportunity. What made it difficult, and what specific approach did you take to win the business?

2.   What's your honest view on cold outreach (LinkedIn, phone, email)? Which methods have worked best for you personally, and why do you think that is?

3.   What's a deal you lost that taught you something valuable? What would you do differently now?

What's the culture like?

Swell is a team of driven, innovative thinkers led by an ambitious Kiwi who took inspiration from global best practices and brought them home. We thrive on collaboration and want to work and partner with great people to help Kiwi businesses make waves on the world stage. Everyone's voice matters at Swell - we value the unique insights, skills, and experiences that each individual contributes.

If you're looking for a place where you can make an impact, be part of a supportive team, and work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, you'll fit right in at Swell.

Timeline

We're building our growth team strategically and are currently also recruiting for a Sales Development Manager. We're looking to align the start dates for both roles to 1 April 2026, allowing for a coordinated onboarding and team launch.

Given the timing over the end-of-year break, applications will be reviewed from the week beginning 19 January 2026. This means you can take your time crafting a thoughtful application over the holiday period, and we'll be in touch in the New Year to progress suitable candidates through our interview process.

How to Apply:

To apply in strict confidence now, click 'Apply for this job' or email your cover letter and CV to quoting 9109sk. Applications close on 18 January Emails will be electronically acknowledged and further correspondence may be by email.

To view the Candidate Briefing document, please click here.

For more information please phone Kate Kennedy on