Head of Business Development - Cultural

Overview

Our client is a distinguished premium cultural travel company with nearly 40 years of heritage in creating exceptional, academically-driven small-group tours. Following a recent private equity acquisition, they are accelerating their U.S. expansion and seek their first U.S.

-based commercial hire to establish their presence and drive customer acquisition across North America.

This is a rare opportunity to build a market from the ground up, working with autonomy and ownership as the sole on-the-ground commercial leader. You will be instrumental in establishing strategic partnerships with leading cultural institutions, universities, museums, and alumni organizations while driving measurable growth in U.S. bookings. The company specializes in tours exploring art, architecture, history, music, and gastronomy, led by expert lecturers and designed for an affluent, highly educated clientele who value intellectual rigor and enriching experiences.

Role:
Head of Business Development

• Go-To-Market Leadership:
  Develop and execute the U.S. GTM strategy aligned with global commercial goals;
  Identify priority institutions and segments, shaping the company's positioning in North America;
  Build comprehensive business plans for revenue targets, regional growth, and partnership models
• Partnership Development & Relationship Management:
  Cultivate relationships with leading cultural, academic, and artistic institutions;
  Secure strategic partnerships for co-branded tours, private groups, donor travel, and bespoke projects;
  Represent the company at key cultural events, industry conferences, and relevant networks
• Client & Stakeholder Engagement:
  Act as senior ambassador to high-net-worth clients, trustees, patrons, alumni groups, and cultural leaders;
  Develop a regional book of business through direct outreach, referrals, and relationship-building;
  Collaborate with the UK team to tailor programs and proposals for U.S. partners
• Entrepreneurial Execution:
  Operate independently in a remote environment, setting priorities and driving outcomes;
  Bring creativity and initiative to shaping new products, collaborations, and channels;
  Analyze market trends and competitive developments to inform innovation

• Highly self-directed, entrepreneurial profile with proven ability to operate independently and build a market from the ground up
• Strong business development or partnerships leadership experience in arts, culture, education, or adjacent premium service sectors
• Established network and relationships within cultural institutions, universities, museums, donor groups, or alumni communities
• Results-driven commercial profile with track record of accountability for bookings and customer acquisition outcomes
• Highly academically accomplished with a strong record of achievement demonstrating intellectual capability
• Polished communicator with excellent writing, presentation, and influencing skills
• Intellectually curious with genuine interest in history, art, architecture, and culture
• Culturally sensitive and comfortable engaging affluent, highly educated audiences
• Strategic maturity to design GTM plans combined with hands-on drive to execute them

• Experience working with discerning audiences or cultural ecosystems
• Previous experience in premium educational travel or cultural travel sector
• Track record of engaging affluent, highly educated audiences
• Experience with partnership models in cultural institutions and universities

Base Salary: $130,000 - $170,000 (depending on experience)

• Potential performance-based bonus structure
• Comprehensive benefits package including 401K and healthcare
• High autonomy and ownership as sole U.S. commercial lead
• Opportunity to shape a strategic initiative tied to U.S. expansion under private equity ownership
• Clear path to leadership role as U.S. business scales (team/structure growth anticipated within 12-24 months)

Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy

Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers. For all positions, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

Commitment to Diversity: Keller Executive Search and its clients are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where all individuals are valued and respected.

Reasonable Accommodations: We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and pregnant individuals, and we engage in an interactive process to determine effective accommodations.

Note: This job posting may be for a position with Keller Executive Search or one of our clients. The specific employer will be identified during the application and interview process.