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. Restaurants Canada also provides invaluable research and insights, advocacy on key issues, updates on industry news, networking and trade events, and programs.
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 new 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 recent 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 current 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.
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.
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.
Help ensure that partner expectations and commitments are clearly communicated internally.
Post-Sale Relationship Management
While this is primarily a new business development role, some post-sale account management will be required.
Maintain qualified relationships with clients following the sale.
Market Development & Networking
Continuously research emerging industries, companies, trends, and potential corporate partners.
Identify organizations and categories that have a natural connection to Canada's restaurant and foodservice ecosystem, even if they have not traditionally engaged with RC.
Develop a network of senior contacts and decision-makers across multiple industries.
Represent RC professionally in the marketplace including conferences, networking events, trade shows, industry functions,



and other events to generate new business opportunities.
Bring new ideas, commercial concepts, and partnership opportunities to the Director and broader organization.
The ideal candidate is a proven business development professional with a strong hunter mentality who is comfortable creating opportunities rather than waiting for them.
5 years of experience in business development, sales, partnerships, sponsorships, or related commercial roles.

- Demonstrated success in complex B2B sales environments.
- Proven track record of generating new business and closing deals.
- Experience selling multiple industry verticals and the ability to quickly understand recent industries, companies, and business models.
- Experience managing a sales pipeline from lead generation through to closing.
- Excellent consultative selling and relationship-building skills.
- Strong presentation, communication, negotiation, and proposal writing skills.
- Comfortable developing customized and complex pitches for senior-level decision-makers.
- Proficiency with CRM systems and a demonstrated commitment to maintaining accurate and comprehensive CRM records. Experience with Zoho CRM is an asset.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple prospects and opportunities simultaneously.
- Excellent follow-up and time-management skills.
- Comfortable networking, attending events, making introductions, and building relationships in person.
- A high degree of professionalism, persistence, curiosity, and commercial judgment.

Ability and willingness to travel.

You enjoy finding the company that hasn't thought about partnerships with RC yet, identifying the right decision-maker, getting the meeting, understanding their business, and figuring out how RC can create value for them.
You can speak confidently with senior executives, build credibility quickly, and translate a conversation into a compelling business opportunity.
Building a complex sponsorship proposal.
Managing a large pipeline and multiple sales cycles.
Hybrid Environment: This position is hybrid, requiring three days per week (Tuesday to Thursday) in our Queen Street West (Toronto) office.
Restaurants Canada is committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and equitable workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities and industry we serve. 82,644 – $93,500, comprising a base salary plus a variable bonus tied to sales performance and KPI achievement. This is a one-year contract position, with the possibility of becoming permanent based on organizational needs and performance.
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📌 Business Development Manager - Store Development (Toronto)
🏢 Restaurants Canada
📍 Toronto