Business Development Executive

Business Development Executive, Risk Consulting (Houston, TX)

What to expect when you join Sikich

Team members at Sikich have a lot in common while also being part of a rich and diverse group of contributors, creating a distinct and thriving culture. Chief among our commonalities is a desire for growth and a shared unity of purpose in our professional lives. We believe that through diverse perspectives, challenging the status quo and rewarding action, we accelerate innovation and drive growth – for our clients, for ourselves and for our communities.

The professional services landscape continues to evolve. For Sikich, this means we have an opportunity to cement our leadership position in this industry and continue to grow our organization in increasingly exciting ways. This growth is meaningful for every team member at our company because larger companies simply see more interesting client opportunities and can attract impressively talented individuals like you. Through a dedicated focus on key business priorities and intentionally creating a rewarding employee experience, Sikich has developed into a highly regarded provider of professional services and a sought-after employer of choice.

Do you want to work with other skilled practitioners and serve clients in a way that makes a difference? Are you seeking a supportive environment backed by a deep and extensive set of skillsets? Are you ready to make an impact and be acknowledged for your contributions? If you answered yes to these questions, we see a mutually beneficial and gratifying relationship on the horizon!

Are you ready to grow with us?

Position Summary

We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven Business Development Executive and Strategic Relationship Manager to join our Risk Team. This role is responsible for identifying new business opportunities, cultivating strategic client relationships, and driving revenue growth through consultative sales efforts. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of technology risk management, including cybersecurity, compliance, and IT governance, with the versatility to articulate the value of Sikich’s broad portfolio of services—from risk assessments and regulatory solutions to accounting, advisory, and technology offerings—to a diverse client base across industries.

Our Sikich Risk Team is dedicated to empowering organizations across industries—such as healthcare, manufacturing, and private equity—to navigate the complexities of technology risk, cybersecurity, compliance, and strategic challenges with confidence. We deliver cutting-edge expertise in risk assessments, regulatory compliance (including HIPAA, HITRUST, SOX, and SOC reports), and innovative technology solutions tailored to safeguard critical assets, ensure financial and operational integrity, and drive business resilience. At Sikich, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation, continuously seeking new ways to provide high-quality, efficient solutions that address our clients’ unique needs. By leveraging advanced methodologies, data-driven insights, and streamlined processes, we deliver exceptional value, helping businesses achieve compliance, enhance security, and optimize performance with agility and precision.

What will you do in this role?

• Identify and develop new business opportunities within target industries, including manufacturing, financial services, and technology.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key decision-makers, including CFOs, CAEs, CIOs, and compliance officers.
• Understand clients' business needs and challenges to recommend tailored internal audit consulting services.
• Collaborate with internal audit professionals to develop customized proposals and presentations.
• Ability to effectively present our services and create compelling proposals to prospective clients.
• Manage the full sales cycle from prospecting to closing, ensuring a smooth handoff to the consulting team.
• Achieve and exceed sales targets and performance metrics.
• Stay informed on industry trends, regulatory changes, and competitive landscape.
• Participate in relevant professional conferences and marketing events with referral partners to engage prospects, promote Sikich’s expertise in SOX compliance, internal audit co-sourcing, and SOC reporting, and elevate our brand in the risk management space.
• Build meaningful relationships with referral partners, decision-makers, and influencers in your market, targeting organizations with complex risk needs.
• Facilitate and attend local networking events with referral partners to engage prospects and elevate Sikich’s brand in the risk management space.
• Participate in industry associations and networking organizations to increase visibility and establish thought leadership.
• Maintain accurate client information and sales leads in our CRM system, ensuring a robust pipeline of opportunities.
• Stay informed about market trends, regulatory changes, and emerging risks to identify and capitalize on new business opportunities.
• Establish trust and rapport with prospective clients, using a consultative approach to address their unique risk challenges.
• Proactively develop a strong list of prospects, targeting companies in need of risk solutions, SOX compliance, internal audit co-sourcing, or SOC reporting, while networking to attract new business.
• Collaborate with Risk practice leaders to define daily objectives and success metrics, shaping the role to maximize impact.
• Partner with practice Principals and Directors to identify, qualify, and nurture new leads, facilitating introductions to the Sikich Risk team.
• Continually expand your expertise in risk management frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001, HITRUST CSF) and compliance requirements (e.g., HIPAA, SOX and SOC standards) to drive client success and credibility.

What do you need to succeed in this role?

• Bachelor's degree inBusiness, Finance, Accounting, or a related field is required. MBA is a plus.
• 7 - 10 years of sales experience in professional services, consulting, or a related industry.
• Strong knowledge of internal audit, risk management, and compliance services is highly preferred.
• Strong professional network within the Finance, IT, and Internal Audit community.
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Proficiency in CRM software and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Proven track record of building and nurturing relationships with key decision-makers in retail and dining, financial and business services, healthcare, industrial and manufacturing, and technology and media, aligning Sikich’s solutions with their unique needs.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience selling to C-level executives in industries such as manufacturing, financial services, and healthcare.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity frameworks, internal audit, SOX compliance, and IT risk assessments.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to think strategically.
• A self-starter who stays focused, makes steady progress, and thrives in a results-driven environment without being easily discouraged.
• An outgoing personality with expert networking and relationship-building abilities, someone who connects people and opportunities effortlessly.
• Exceptional interpersonal and networking skills, with the ability to influence and build trust with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Experience with long sales cycles in professional services or consulting.

In addition, specific skills/experience required are as follows: …..

• Servant Leader – You are hyper focused on engaging employees, fostering their development, and building a positive culture.
• Solutions Focused – You see opportunities in every business problem and can develop, articulate, and implement solutions.
• Collaboration – You are a relationship builder across all levels of the organization and across all business units.
• Instills Trust - You do what you say, and you follow through on commitments, you act with integrity, you are consistent and are perceived as credible.
• Impact & Influence Thinking – You gain support for ideas, proposals, and solutions, and get others to act, with or without formal authority, to advance initiatives/objectives.

About Sikich

Sikichis a global company specializing in Accounting, Advisory, and Technical professional services. With employees across the globe, Sikich ranks as one of the largest professional services companies in the United States. Our comprehensive skillsets, obtained over decades of experience as entrepreneurs, business owners and industry innovators, allow us to provide insights and transformative strategies to help strengthen every dimension of our clients’ businesses.

Sikich Total Rewards

Our team members enjoy expansive benefits ranging from competitive compensation and insurance options to wellness programs and a flexible time off policy, to name only a few. Sikich also takes pride in prioritizing team members’ health, total wellbeing and time spent with family, friends and in the pursuit of personal goals, hobbies, and endeavors.

In compliance with this state’s pay transparency laws, the midpoint of the base salary range for this role is $140,000. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience, commission, and geographic location.

Some examples of our many benefits:

• Sikich maintains a Flexible Time Off (FTO) Policy. We encourage every full-time employee, as your role permits, to utilize paid time off (personal time, mental/physical health care, vacation, sick leave, etc.). Waiting for time off to accrue is common at other companies. At Sikich, you do not have to wait for this benefit to kick in. FTO is activated on your first day with our organization.
• Sikich will also recognize paid holidays during the year and strives to permit employees to have time off the last week of the calendar year when client and project work permits.
• Sikich offers a comprehensive wellness program to engage, challenge and empower team members to take responsibility for their wellbeing. Activities can be tracked through our wellness provider to obtain gift cards and other rewards.

We also offer:

• Flexible work arrangements
• Health, dental, vision, life, and accident/death/disability insurance options
• HSA employer contribution
• Nine (9) paid holidays annually.
• A robust paid Parental Bonding Leave program covering birth, adoption, and foster      children.
• 401(k) with employer contributions
• CPA bonus with four (4) paid exam days & four (4) paid study days.
• Tuition reimbursement
• Generous employee referral bonus program
• Client referral bonus program
• Pet insurance
• FORCE – Sikich community volunteer program enabling each team member to use up to four hours of paid time annually to volunteer and make a difference in their localcommunities.

Want to learn more? Visit our Careers website or Glassdoor profile.

Sikich is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V

#li-remote

Sikich currently practices in an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Professional Code of Conduct and applicable law, regulations, and professional standards. Sikich CPA LLC is a licensed CPA firm that provides audit and attest services to its clients. Sikich LLC has a contractual arrangement with Sikich CPA LLC under which Sikich LLC provides Sikich CPA LLC with professional and support personnel and other services to support Sikich CPA LLC’s performance of its professional services, and Sikich CPA LLC shares certain client information with Sikich LLC with respect to the provision of such services.