Business Development Manager

Business Development Manager - Empire Light and Sound Position: Business Development manager Location: Mumbai, India (Pan-India travel required) Industry: High-End AV, Home Technology Type: Full-time | Senior Leadership Reporting to: Founder & Director, Empire Light & Sound Overview We’re seeking a proven, well-networked, and relentless business development leader to head the India market expansion of NextLevel Acoustics — a US-based premium AV speaker brand positioned for high performance and sleek architectural integration. You will be responsible for building, scaling, and managing our B2B dealer and distribution network across India, focusing on top-tier AV integrators, multi-brand retailers, architects, and luxury developers. This role requires deep industry understanding, strong relationship-building skills, and a hunger to grow the business aggressively. Key Responsibilities Dealer & Channel Development - Identify and onboard AV integrators, showrooms, and distributors across metro and Tier 1 cities. - Build a national dealer network in line with monthly and annual sales targets. - Negotiate and close commercial agreements (dealer margins, demo discounts, stock orders, sub-distributor terms). - Offer tailored onboarding, training, and demo support to new partners. Market Expansion & Sales Execution - Develop and execute a national go-to-market plan by region, segment, brand and product line. - Maintain active pipelines in each state — no cold region left behind. - Drive demo sales, pre-orders, and stock commitments aggressively. - Maintain high visibility with existing dealers through follow-ups, joint events, trainings, and relationship management. Product & Brand Evangelism - Position Empire Light and Sound as India’s premium AV partner. - Represent the company at trade shows, AV summits, dealer events, and industry networking opportunities. - Educate the market on our brand USPs: sonic superiority, architectural integration, competitive pricing, legacy. Cross-functional Coordination - Work closely with founder and logistics teams to track imports, inventory, and delivery timelines. - Coordinate with technical staff for training and post-sales support. - Provide structured reporting on targets, sales funnel, and regional activity. Required Experience & Qualifications - 7–10 years in AV sales or business development in the high-end residential or commercial integration space heavily preferred. - Access to deep network of AV dealers, system integrators, architects, and specifiers across India. - Proven record of hitting monthly/quarterly sales targets in B2B distribution. - Experience with premium AV/Automation brands (e.g., Bowers & Wilkins, Sonance, Anthem, Control4, Savant, K-array) is a must. - Strong understanding of the channel dynamics, pricing structures, and demo strategies in AV distribution. - Must be fluent in English and at least one regional Indian language. - Willingness to travel upto 15–20 days per month across India. Personal Attributes - Relentless closer. You hustle until the PO is in. - Energetic and charismatic. You win over clients in-person and on call. - Extremely organized. You track leads, follow-ups, and tasks without being told. - Independent and accountable. You drive outcomes with minimal oversight. - Genuinely passionate about sound and technology. You speak the language of performance. Compensation - Base salary + performance-linked commission - Travel allowance + lodging covered for business trips - Access to demo stock and partner tools - Growth into VP-level position as we scale Bonus if You Have - Experience launching new brands or setting up national distribution networks - Familiarity with CRM tools, dealer onboarding workflows, and channel incentives - Past experience in managing showrooms, dealer events, or technical trainings - Exposure to international AV brands or training certifications (e.g., CEDIA, ISF)