Director of Business Development (Non-Traditional)

WOW BAO is hiring a DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT for our team in Chicago!

Position Summary:The Director of Business Development will serve as the key contributor to the overall growth of Wow Bao’s Non-Traditional development by establishing new and building on existing, partner relationships.  The position will work closely with the CEO and VP of Strategic Growth to secure new non-traditional opportunities to support Wow Bao’s overall growth strategy. 

This role is based in Chicago, IL and onsite five days a week, except when traveling on company business. 

What we look for:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Business Development, preferably with fast casual or QSR branded concepts.
• Solution oriented: Where some see problems, you think through solutions & translate high-level goals into actionable plans.
• Self-starter: a bias towards action and can thrive in a fast-paced constantly changing environment.
• Forward thinking: you see around corners & are always thinking of ideas on how to help improve processes.
• Ownership mentality: you roll up your sleeves and do whatever it takes to make things successful.

Innovative. Fast Pace. Growth.

 Join the fastest growing Asian fast-casual food brand in the country! More than 20 years old, Wow Bao is a Chicago-based omni-channel brand that operates in several store fronts, as well as in over 700 virtual kitchens across the country. Our retail/CPG business is experiencing unprecedented growth with Wow Bao available in more than 6,000 grocery stores nationwide, and plans to expand into 12,000 by the end of 2024. Additionally, our portfolio includes airports, universities, hotels, hot food vending machines, and e-commerce.

 Equal Opportunity Employer

ABOUT WOW BAO:  

Wow Bao has always led the industry in innovation and while fusing delicious Asian Street Food with superior hospitality, we continue to meet our customers where they are. Our restaurant menu features rice bowls, pan-seared potstickers, dumplings, soups, and our iconic Bao – steamed hot Asian buns with a variety of savory and sweet fillings. We continue to expand our grocery line and in addition to several Bao flavors, we are introducing a variety of other products.

 Wow Bao is the only brand to be recognized three times by Fast Casual magazine as a Top 100 Movers & Shaker. Ranked no. 1 in 2019 and 2022 and no. 4 in 2023, we are the only brand to have taken home the honor more than once. At Wow Bao, we believe that every day deserves a big, bold serving of WOW. We’ve made it our mission to shake up the industry and bring a fresh and exciting spin to the fast-casual experience.

 Wow Bao is poised for continued growth within all its verticals, as well as in the corporate setting. 

 WE FOSTER A CULTURE OF CARING

Whether it’s our guests or employees, we put people first.  We strive to inspire, motivate, and  appreciate one another every day.  We live by the golden rule and treat everyone with kindness, empathy, respect, and a healthy dose of humor.  We take our work, not ourselves, seriously.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:(Other duties may be assigned as needed):

• Lead overall non-traditional development process and pipeline management to meet/exceed annual targets and goals.
• Exercise excellent project management skills to efficiently triage and effectively manage resources to drive and meet launch timelines.
•  Effectively translate Wow Bao design and operations standards to external business development and design & construction teams to ensure  space fit outs are optimized for Wow Bao operations.
• Manage and build upon existing partner relationships with current partners.
• Be able to successfully source, qualify, and secure new opportunities to include but not limited to non-traditional venues, particularly airports, universities, B&I, and other captive audience venues.
• Forecast, track and analyze budgets for non-traditional growth opportunities.
• Manage cross-functionally with Wow Bao’s internal team to support new store openings and program launches as well as ongoing brand support.
• Responsible for negotiating  license agreement and other agreement terms.
• Work with outside counsel to finalize agreements.
• Ensure Wow Bao and partner compliance of all agreements.
• Lead, develop, and mentor a team.
• Be available to assist and work during Wow Bao offsite events as needed.
• Assist with responsibilities and duties in other departments and as assigned by management.
• Perform calmly and effectively in a fast-paced work environment.
• Follow all rules, policies, procedures, and conditions of employment, including those outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Other tasks and projects assigned on an as needed basis.
• Travel is required for this role.

Required Experience/Skills:

• Strong understanding of restaurant operations, training, design & construction, and relevant legal & regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate has demonstrated experience leading workstreams and upholding standards in these areas, and in managing matrix teams in these functional areas.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of industry trends with the ability to analyze markets and performance data.
• Strong business acumen with an understanding of restaurant operations, profitability, leadership, influencing, and negotiating skills.
• Excellent relationship management, ability to work with all levels (executives to hourly store employees) of the company and of partner organizations.
• Excellent reading, writing, proofreading, and oral proficiency of the English language.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Power Point, and Excel. 
• Salesforce or other CRM experience preferred.
• Partake in a professional and positive work environment.
• Be a Wow Bao advocate, always positively representing the brand and our brand standards.

Physical Demands:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to travel as needed which may require standing for long periods of time.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Voluntary Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Sick Leave
• Employee Restaurant Discounts and Employee Meals
• Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits
• Employee Discount Programs
• Training, Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program
• We foster a culture of CARE
• Growth & transfer opportunities; we love it when people grow at Wow Bao!

Benefits eligibility varies based on things like position, hours worked, and length of service, and all benefits are subject to change, some of the benefits you might expect are listed above.