Business Development Manager

Status Labs is a premium digital reputation and narrative control firm serving Fortune 500 companies, high-net-worth individuals, executives, and public figures. Our services include ORM, SEO, GEO/AI visibility, Wikipedia consulting, personal branding, and crisis response. We are building a first-class BD and referral channel to match the strength of our service offering.The RoleWe are hiring a Business Development Manager to build and manage a network of referral partners who send us high-value clients. This is a relationship-nurture role, not a transactional closer position. You will spend your time identifying the right partners, earning their trust, and staying genuinely useful and top-of-mind, so that when a reputation situation comes up for their client, Status Labs is the name that surfaces. The cycle is long and the pitch is soft. The skill is patience and discipline: cultivating a relationship for a year or more before it converts. A big rolodex alone is not what we’re looking for. What we’re looking for is someone who knows how to work it.You will report to the Sr. Director of Partnerships. This is a ground-floor opportunity to shape a program that is central to our 2026 growth strategy.What You Will DoBuild and manage a portfolio of referral partner relationships across law firms, investment banks, PR and crisis communications firms, and adjacent professional servicesIdentify and prospect net new ICP-fit referral partners with no existing Status Labs relationshipActivate dormant partners in our existing network through outreach, events, and personal engagementRepresent Status Labs at industry events, conferences, and association meetings — regionally and nationallyExecute partner meetings, lunches, dinners, and check-ins to maintain active relationshipsWork with the internal team to ensure every referral is followed up quickly and closed properlyLog all activity and partner interactions in HubSpot -- clean, current, no exceptionsContribute to collateral development, webinar programming, and partner eventsReport on pipeline, active partner count, and referral revenue weeklyWhat We Are Looking For3+ years in business development, partnerships, or relationship-driven salesDirect experience working with or selling into law firms, investment banks, or PR and crisis communications firmsComfortable in rooms with attorneys, bankers, and senior communications professionals -- you know how they think and what they care aboutProven track record building referral or channel networks through long-cycle nurture, not just closing direct deals. The value here is patience and discipline: staying useful and top-of-mind over months or years until the moment a partner has a reputation situation to hand off.Strong presence and follow-through -- partners refer to people they trust, not companiesHubSpot or comparable CRM discipline, you log everythingComfortable with travel and in-person relationship building as a core part of the roleSelf-directed: you don't need a script to run a meeting or a manager to tell you who to callNice to HaveBackground in litigation finance (Burford Capital, Omni Bridgeway, Longford Capital, Westfleet Advisors), legal tech/e-discovery (Relativity, Everlaw, CS Disco), or PR intelligence and media monitoring (Cision, Muck Rack, Meltwater). These are the roles where the relevant partner rolodexes already live.Demonstrated history of long-term relationship cultivation that converted to business over an extended timelineFamiliarity with online reputation management, SEO, or digital PRExperience with GEO, AI search, or emerging digital visibility servicesBackground working in or alongside a professional services firmWhy Status LabsGround-floor opportunity to build a referral program with real infrastructure and leadership support behind itWork alongside a team that serves Fortune 500 companies, public figures, and executives navigating high-stakes reputation situationsCompetitive base salary plus commission tied to referral revenue you generateA role where relationships are the work -- not a side effortRemote-first with flexibility, with an expectation of regular in-person engagement with partnersPlease attach a resume for consideration. Employer work authorization sponsorship is not available for this position. All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.