Restaurants Canada (RC) is the national association that serves the unique needs of the restaurant and foodservice industry. Our members are as diverse as the industry itself — from independent operators to regional and national chains, including restaurants, bars, caterers, franchisors, institutions, and other emerging business types. Our partnerships also include industry suppliers, who play an integral role in the success of operators across Canada. Restaurants Canada also provides invaluable research and insights, advocacy on key issues, updates on industry news, networking and trade events, and programs.

The Opportunity

Restaurants Canada is looking for an ambitious, entrepreneurial, and results-oriented Business Development Manager to join our Business Development team.

This is a hunter-focused business development and sales role with a mandate to generate current revenue and expand RC's corporate partner base. A key priority will be identifying and developing opportunities with new and non-traditional industry verticals, including AI, fintech, commercial real estate, technology, financial services, professional services, and other categories that have not traditionally been part of the RC ecosystem.

The successful candidate will be responsible for cultivating and advancing strategic partnerships from initial outreach through to close, developing tailored sponsorship and partnership packages that integrate RC's communications properties, programs, events, and commercial opportunities into cohesive offerings. By aligning partner and sponsor investments with RC's advocacy priorities and Knowledge Hub initiatives, this role plays a central part in building long-term relationships that drive both revenue and mission impact.





The role will also work closely with the Director, Business Development, providing support on strategic relationships, major prospects, complex pitches and proposals, client meetings, and corporate partnership opportunities.

This is an ideal opportunity for a proven sales professional who enjoys opening doors, building relationships, networking with senior decision-makers, developing creative solutions, and closing business.

Foodservice industry experience is an asset, but it is not a requirement. We are particularly interested in candidates who can bring experience, relationships, and commercial opportunities from other industries and help RC expand into new markets.

New Business Development & Sales

- Assist in the development and execution of a proactive business development strategy focused on acquiring new corporate partners, sponsors, advertisers, and commercial opportunities.
- Identify and pursue new industry verticals and companies that could benefit from an association with Restaurants Canada.
- Build relationships with decision-makers across industries including AI, fintech, technology, commercial real estate, financial services, professional services, and other emerging sectors.
- Generate new leads through proactive prospecting, networking, referrals, research, events, industry contacts, outbound outreach,



and other business development activities.
- Manage the full sales cycle, from initial prospect identification and qualification through discovery, proposal development, negotiation, closing, and handoff.
- Develop a strong understanding of prospective organizations, their business objectives, marketing priorities, target audiences, and partnership needs.
- Assist in the development of creative and customized solutions that connect RC's audience, brand, communications platforms, programs, and events with prospective partners' objectives.
- Sell RC's research reports, webinars, toolkits, newsletters, programs, events, partnerships, and other revenue-generating opportunities.
- Build and maintain a healthy, measurable pipeline of qualified prospects.
- Consistently work toward and achieve agreed-upon revenue and new business targets.
- CRM & Pipeline Management: CRM discipline is a critical component of this position. The successful candidate will be expected to use RC's Zoho CRM as an essential business development tool.

Partnerships, Sponsorships & Programs

- Identify opportunities to connect prospective partners with RC's events, communications platforms, programs, content, and industry audience.
- Develop customized sponsorship and partnership opportunities that deliver value to both RC and its corporate partners.
- Work collaboratively with internal teams to develop compelling partnership proposals and ensure sold programs are properly communicated and delivered.
- Identify opportunities for additional revenue through upselling, cross-selling, renewals, and expanded partnerships.
- Help ensure that partner expectations and commitments are clearly com

📌 Manager, Business Development (Toronto)
🏢 Restaurants Canada
📍 Toronto