S

Sodexo

Global food services and facilities management

Business Development Executive

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/21/2026
No salary listed
Expert
Melbourne VIC, Australia
Hybrid
Sales & Account ManagementAccount Executive, Account Management

About the job

Requirements
  • Proven East Coast or national sales leadership in facilities management, catering, or industrial services, including building and leading business development projects rather than solely delivering as an individual sales contributor.
  • Demonstrated track record converting a qualified pipeline into signed and successfully mobilised contracts at scale.
  • Deep commercial and tender management capability, with end-to-end ownership of complex, multi-stakeholder bids including pricing, risk, governance, and contract negotiation.
  • Established client and industry network in Energy & Resources, Education, Health, or adjacent industrial or government sectors.
  • Demonstrated strategic capability to defend and grow a core portfolio while developing and executing entry strategies for new sectors.
  • Strong internal stakeholder management and executive influencing capability, with credibility operating alongside Operations, Finance, and Country Leadership Team stakeholders.
  • Experience and understanding of the commercial operating environment to drive commercial success through strategic business development.
  • Experience proactively building a strategic network and establishing profitable relationships in complex internal and external environments.
  • Experience with bid management in relation to complex offers or client requirements.
  • Experience leading business development across a wide geographic area or multiple time zones.
  • Experience managing business development in relation to Public Private Partnerships (PPP).
  • Experience in sales and business development in the resources or technical services sectors.
  • Advanced proficiency with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software.
  • Advanced knowledge of government legislation.
  • Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Five years of successful experience at executive level leading a business development function.
Responsibilities
  • Establish strategic business development initiatives.
  • Build and lead East Coast and national business development projects across facilities management, catering, and industrial services, converting qualified pipeline opportunities into signed and successfully mobilised contracts at scale.
  • Own complex, multi-stakeholder tender and bid processes end-to-end, including commercial strategy, pricing, risk assessment, governance, contract negotiation, award, and transition to mobilisation.
  • Ensure compliance with all business initiatives.
  • Present business opportunities and business cases to the senior leadership team as required.
  • Influence and align Operations, Finance, Support Functions, and the Country Leadership Team on pursuit strategy, investment decisions, risk settings, and delivery commitments.
  • Identify, generate, and close sales and new business opportunities.
  • Contribute to new product development.
  • Contribute to the execution of the marketing strategy and business development plans.
  • Provide leadership and training on new lines of business and services to management and staff.
  • Screen potential business deals by analysing the market.
  • Coordinate, prepare, and present proposals and business plans that target newly recognised business opportunities.
  • Participate in internal and external business events, road shows, and seminars as required by management.
  • Create the vision and design and implement a three-year business development plan that supports Australia’s and potentially New Zealand’s profit and growth goals.
  • Align Australia and New Zealand business development activities with Group strategic initiatives to contribute to global efficiencies and success.
  • Lead the bid management process, ensuring Operations and Support Functions are fully involved throughout bid development and submission to maximise success.
  • Drive growth of new strategic business opportunities through thorough knowledge of market segments and competitor activities, building strategic relations with relevant external bodies.
  • Develop and leverage sector networks across Energy & Resources, Education, Health, and adjacent industrial or government markets to accelerate access to qualified opportunities.
  • Balance defence and growth of the core Energy & Resources portfolio with disciplined entry into new sectors, shaping market-entry priorities and long-term pipeline development.
  • Lead and manage strategic accounts (Top 50) to retain and grow profitable and successful business.
  • Authorise business development policies that set organisation-wide standards and comply with legislative and company requirements, building brand awareness and reputation and positioning Sodexo as the partner of choice in on-site service solutions.
  • Provide leadership and coaching to ensure the business development function operates as a high-performing team.
  • Lead and role-model behaviours that reflect commitment to Sodexo values and foster a culture that leverages diversity and ensures respect for people.
  • Build awareness of Sodexo’s brand and services by establishing effective relationships and partnering with existing and potential customers and key stakeholders to retain and grow profitable business opportunities.
  • Implement principles and practices throughout the organisation that build on Sodexo’s commitment to corporate social responsibility.
  • Direct and coordinate the business development function’s financial and budget activities in line with Australia and New Zealand financial targets.
  • Partner with the Marketing team to provide specialist marketing support and position the Sodexo brand to maximise value in new business opportunities.
  • Ensure personal and direct reports’ adherence to health, safety, environmental, and quality standards, policies, and procedures, and proactively support a healthy and safe work environment through effective management of incidents and hazards.

About the company

Sodexo provides Food and Services by managing on-site facilities and catering across work, healthcare, education, and leisure environments. Its offerings include on-site meal services, cleaning, maintenance, and other facilities-management tasks designed to improve daily life for employees and the people served. The company differentiates itself through its global scale (present in 43 countries, serving about 80 million consumers daily), its independent, family-owned structure, and a strong, responsible business model focused on social and environmental progress. Sodexo aims to grow while elevating quality of life for employees and clients and contributing to the economic and community well-being where it operates.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Issy-les-Moulineaux, France

Founded

1966

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Q3 Fiscal 2026 organic revenue grew 2.0%, beating expectations on July 1, 2026.
  • Management raised FY2026 organic growth guidance to 1.2%-1.5% after the Q3 beat.
  • University of Northern Colorado and Clariant wins show continued contract momentum in North America.

What critics are saying

  • Reuters on August 26, 2026 said Sodexo will cut 1,000-plus French jobs.
  • North America organic revenue fell 1.5% in Q1 Fiscal 2026, led by Education losses.
  • Prolonged execution misses under Thierry Delaporte would trap Sodexo in permanent margin compression.

What makes Sodexo unique

  • Pluxee spin-off made Sodexo a pure-play food and services operator by 2025.
  • Sodexo combines catering, workplace services, and healthcare dining across 45 countries.
  • Grupo Mediterránea, acquired February 2026, deepens European scale and local account density.

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Benefits

  • Employee Discounts
  • Professional Development Budget
  • Flexible Work Hours

Company News

Iberian Legal Group
Jul 31st, 2025
Uría Menéndez advises on the sale of Grupo Mediterránea de Catering to Sodexo - Iberian Lawyer

Uría Menéndez has advised Portobello Capital on the sale of Grupo Mediterránea de Catering to Sodexo, a French listed company.

GlobeNewswire
Nov 12th, 2024
Sodexo acquires CRH Catering for growth

Sodexo has signed an agreement to acquire CRH Catering, a leading convenience sector operator in the Mid-Atlantic U.S., to enhance its InReach convenience offering. This acquisition expands Sodexo's presence on the East Coast and adds services like micro-markets and vending. The deal supports Sodexo's goal to generate $500 million in revenue with InReach by the end of 2025. The acquisition is expected to close in the first half of fiscal 2025.

Vending Market Watch
Dec 15th, 2023
Sodexo acquires corporate restaurant group K-märkt in Sweden, accelerating its sustainable food transformation

K-märkt is known for its high-quality food and innovative methods for enhancing sustainability and reducing food waste.

Sodexo
Jul 25th, 2023
Sodexo acquires A.H. Management

Sodexo to acquire A.H. Management to further accelerate its food transformation model and its development in North America

Food Management
Mar 29th, 2022
Sodexo UK & Ireland launches expanded tele-nutrition solution

Sodexo has announced an expanded tele-nutrition solution through which its Nutrition and Wellness Center will provide virtual clinical nutrition and dietetic support for patients across the United States, with emphasis on individual counseling, metabolic testing and medical nutrition therapy.