Business Development & Communications Manager

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Business Development & Communications Manager

🔹 Company: Laterite

🔹 Location: Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands (Remote)

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid (3 days in-office)

🔹 Category: Research Services

🔹 Date Posted: April 15, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Remote Location of Your Choice for up to 6 weeks per year)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and implementing business development and communications strategies
• Leading the BDC team and coordinating day-to-day activities
• Diversifying Laterite's portfolio of work and expanding reach to potential clients
• Managing the proposal pipeline from strategy to delivery
• Overseeing and enhancing Laterite’s website and social media presence

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and experience in business development and communications to drive growth and enhance Laterite's impact.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Developing and implementing business development and communications strategies

✅ Leading the BDC team and coordinating day-to-day activities

✅ Diversifying Laterite's portfolio of work and expanding reach to potential clients

✅ Managing the proposal pipeline from strategy to delivery

✅ Overseeing and enhancing Laterite’s website and social media presence

✅ Improving how Laterite communicates its findings through interactive and engaging methods

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience in a similar role, excellent communication skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: At least a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Experience: 5+ years of relevant experience working in a similar setting

Required Skills:

• Excellent oral and written communications in English
• Experience in leading and mentoring delivery teams
• Experience with managing proposal pipelines according to funder and donor procurement rules
• Experience with strategic communications activities geared towards business development and outreach
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, self-motivation, and drive to flourish in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Skills:

• A strong understanding of, and/or interest in, social and economic research in development contexts

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a proven track record in business development, communications, and project acquisition will be highly competitive for this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: EUR 74,042 annual gross, commensurate with experience

Benefits:

• Flexible working environment (choice to work from home a couple of days per week)
• Annual learning budget of up to $1,000 per person and 10 days of time off for professional learning each year
• possibility of working from a remote location of your choice for up to 6 weeks per year

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (open to negotiating a 32-hour part-time contract)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the company's pay matrix and is subject to review every 12 months. The benefits are designed to support learning, development, and work-life balance.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Research Services, focusing on complex development challenges

Company Size: 51-200 employees, with a culturally diverse team of over 90 full-time local and international staff, as well as 2,000+ enumerators across all countries

Founded: 2010, with offices in the Netherlands, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, and Peru

Company Description:

• Laterite is a data, research, and analytics firm specializing in complex development challenges
• Works with universities, global think tanks, international NGOs, multilateral donor organizations, and government ministries and agencies
• Committed to creating a collaborative and rewarding working environment with opportunities for learning and career development

Company Specialties:

• Data
• Research
• Advisory
• Global Development
• Data science
• Program evaluation
• Econometrics
• Machine learning
• Education
• Public health
• Agriculture
• Youth
• Gender
• Urbanization
• Livelihoods
• Learning partnerships
• Migration
• Geospatial analysis
• Quantitative methods
• Qualitative methods
• Data collection

Company Website: http://www.laterite.com

ASSUMPTION: Laterite's diverse team and global presence enable it to deliver high-quality research and create impact in various development contexts.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level to senior, with opportunities for growth and mentorship

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Managing Director and leads the BDC team

Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with the option to work from home a couple of days per week and from a remote location of your choice for up to 6 weeks per year

Growth Opportunities:

• Mentoring and leading the BDC team
• Expanding Laterite's reach and portfolio of work
• Developing and implementing strategic communications initiatives
• Potential career progression within the organization

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to drive growth and impact in a dynamic and collaborative environment, with ample opportunities for learning and development.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern office in the heart of Amsterdam, about fifteen minutes’ walk from Amsterdam Centraal Station

Office Location(s): Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Geographic Context:

• Amsterdam is a vibrant, multicultural city with a high quality of life
• The Netherlands is a developed country with a strong economy and social welfare system
• Laterite's global presence offers opportunities for international collaboration and travel

Work Schedule: Flexible working environment, with the option to work from home and remotely

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement and flexible working environment allow for a healthy work-life balance and cater to diverse employee preferences.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening
• In-depth interviews with relevant team members
• Final interview with the Managing Director

Key Assessment Areas:

• Communication skills and strategic thinking
• Business development and project acquisition experience
• Cultural fit and alignment with Laterite's values
• Problem-solving skills and adaptability

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences
• Demonstrate your understanding of Laterite's mission and values
• Prepare examples of your strategic communications initiatives and business development successes

ATS Keywords: Business Development, Communications, Project Acquisition, Proposal Management, Mentoring, Content Creation, Social Media Management, Organizational Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Attention to Detail, Self-Motivation, Collaboration, Strategic Thinking, Data Presentation, Networking, Research

ASSUMPTION: Laterite's hiring process is designed to assess candidates' skills, experiences, and cultural fit, with a focus on strategic thinking and communication.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)
• Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., R, Python, Tableau)

ASSUMPTION: Laterite's tools and technologies are designed to support collaboration, productivity, and data-driven decision-making.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Impact-driven
• Collaborative
• Innovative
• Culturally diverse and inclusive
• Committed to learning and development

Work Style:

• Dynamic and fast-paced
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Adaptable and flexible
• Focused on delivering high-quality research and creating impact

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you align with Laterite's values, particularly in terms of being impact-driven and collaborative?
• How do you approach strategic communications and business development in a dynamic and fast-paced environment?
• How do you ensure high-quality research and data-driven decision-making in your work?

ASSUMPTION: Laterite's values and work style emphasize collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to creating impact in various development contexts.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing a diverse portfolio of work and expanding reach to potential clients
• Balancing strategic thinking and execution in a fast-paced environment
• Adapting to changes in Laterite's portfolio and priorities
• Ensuring high-quality research and data-driven decision-making across various development contexts

ASSUMPTION: The potential challenges in this role require strong communication skills, adaptability, and a strategic mindset to drive growth and impact.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to other business development and communications roles, this position offers a unique opportunity to drive growth and impact in a dynamic and collaborative environment
• Laterite's global presence and diverse team enable it to deliver high-quality research and create impact in various development contexts
• This role offers ample opportunities for learning, development, and career progression within the organization

ASSUMPTION: This role stands out for its focus on driving growth and impact in a dynamic and collaborative environment, with ample opportunities for learning and development.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing a strategic communications plan to enhance Laterite's visibility and impact
• Expanding Laterite's reach to potential clients through targeted outreach and business development initiatives
• Managing the proposal pipeline from strategy to delivery, ensuring high-quality bids and grant applications

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects highlight the strategic and collaborative nature of this role, with a focus on driving growth and impact.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does this role fit into Laterite's overall strategy and growth plans?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does Laterite support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What are the key challenges facing Laterite in the next 1-2 years, and how can this role contribute to addressing them?
• How does Laterite foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment, particularly with a diverse team and global presence?

ASSUMPTION: These key questions help assess the role's strategic fit, growth opportunities, and cultural alignment with Laterite's values and work style.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences, demonstrating your understanding of Laterite's mission and values
• Prepare examples of your strategic communications initiatives and business development successes
• Follow up with Laterite's hiring team one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.