Business Development Manager

• 0.8 or fulltime employment options
• 12-month initial fixed term contract with view to permanency
• Fully remote role (candidates can be based in any eastern capital city of Australia)

The Company

Our client, Leading Harvest, is committed to increasing adoption of sustainability practices in agriculture. It was formally organised in the U.S. 2020 by and for stakeholders across the agricultural value chain—from farmland owners to companies and communities. Leading Harvest launched in Australia in March of 2023 after two years of piloting its programming. Currently 1.2M hectares are enrolled in its program globally, with 540,000 hectares in Australia.

The Leading Harvest standard provides a framework to help farmers and farm managers methodically tackle agricultural sustainability and make verifiable claims to the market while strengthening credibility, reputation, and social license to operate. In addition to farmers and managers, Leading Harvest works with companies in the supply chain, like Nutrien Ag Solutions, Deere, Cargill, and Nestlé USA to advance responsible, sustainable, and regenerative sourcing objectives.

The Role

The newly created role of Business Development Manager reporting into the General Manager will be responsible for growing the program user base and driving the adoption of Leading Harvest as a leading certification for sustainable agriculture in Australia. The role involves identifying and engaging potential users, building networks, and increasing recognition within the supply chain and stakeholder ecosystem. Key tasks include managing relationships, supporting programmatic expansion through new projects, and overseeing business and project management activities such as budgets, schedules, and stakeholder engagement.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Business Development:

• Expand the program user base by identifying and engaging potential users, including producers and agribusinesses.
• Build networks and promote Leading Harvest to key supply chain stakeholders.
• Engage certification bodies and pursue additional funding opportunities.

Relationship Management:

• Strengthen stakeholder relationships to drive program growth and collaboration.
• Support engagement with the Advisory Board and leverage existing networks.

Program Expansion:

• Identify and execute opportunities to expand program scope and reach.
• Enhance the visibility of the Leading Harvest standard in Australia.

Project and Business Management:

• Assist in developing and executing annual plans, budgets, and business development strategies.
• Manage projects, ensuring effective communication, schedules, budgets, and stakeholder involvement.

About You

You are a passionate advocate for sustainability in agriculture, committed to staying informed about industry developments and driving meaningful outcomes. As a self-starter with excellent executive function, you thrive in dynamic, start-up environments, navigating ambiguity and setting clear priorities with ease.

An exceptional communicator, you excel at engaging diverse audiences, from farmers to boardroom executives, and bring strong emotional intelligence to foster relationships and manage stakeholders effectively. Your consultative approach ensures insightful, practical, and actionable solutions tailored to real-world challenges.

Comfortable working independently in a fully remote team, you are adaptable and prepared to travel regularly within Australia and occasionally internationally to support organisational goals.

Required Skills and Proficiencies

The Business Development Manager will thrive in a start-up environment, contributing as a team player while also demonstrating the independence to develop and execute initiatives. They will excel at articulating value propositions, addressing concerns, and answering questions in a consultative manner—without resorting to hard selling. Acting as an ambassador for the organisation’s mission, they will bring a passion for sustainability and a strong commitment to its advancement.

Key experience and skills include

• Agricultural Expertise: Extensive industry experience with deep knowledge of agricultural production, supply chains, and a robust network in the sector.
• Sustainability Knowledge: Tertiary qualification in sustainability or equivalent experience, with a solid understanding of certification schemes and reporting frameworks (mandatory and voluntary).
• Business Development & Project Management: Proven track record in driving business growth and successfully managing projects.
• Relationship Building: Demonstrated success in developing strong partnerships and managing stakeholder relationships effectively.

The Rewards and Culture

In addition to playing your part in advancing sustainable farming practices you will work alongside key thought leaders across various aspects of the agricultural sector. You will also have the opportunity to have significant influence over maturing the operations and impact of Leading Harvest.

Other key benefits include:

• Option to purchase up to 1-week pro rata additional leave
• Gifted additional days leave over Christmas (subject to annual board approval)
• Allowance for personal development
• Salary packaging options
• Flexible working

How to Apply

Apply now by submitting your current CV (in Word format) via our online application process. For a confidential discussion or to review the information pack and full PD please contact Claire Black on 0407 821 086 or via claire@talentnation.com.au

Talent Nation encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people of all cultures, abilities, sex, and genders.

Applicants can request a reasonable adjustment at any stage during the recruitment process, please contact us so we can provide adjustments for you.