About the Company
We are seeking a Chief Development Officer (CDO) to lead and scale all business development activities globally across Soho’s three core verticals. This is not a traditional sales role. The CDO is responsible for building and driving a multi-engine growth platform — overseeing pipeline generation, market expansion, and deal conversion across:
- Soho X (Experience Transformation & Consulting)
- SaySo (Creative & Digital Marketing)
- Soho Works (Licensing, Franchising & Management Agreements)
You will design the systems, structure the teams, and lead the strategy that fuels Soho’s international expansion.
About the Role
Responsibilities
Global Business Development Strategy
- Define and execute Soho’s global BD strategy across all verticals
- Identify priority markets (Middle East, Europe, Southeast Asia) and expansion pathways
- Develop clear go-to-market strategies for each business line
- Align BD efforts with company-wide growth objectives and brand positioning
Pipeline & Revenue Ownership
- Build and oversee a robust, multi-vertical sales pipeline
- Establish revenue targets across Soho X, SaySo, and Soho Works
- Implement forecasting, reporting, and performance tracking systems
- Drive conversion of high-value deals from lead to closure
- Vertical Integration of BD Functions
- Oversee and align business development across:
- Consulting (Soho X) – long-cycle, high-value advisory projects
- Marketing (SaySo) – retainer-based and campaign-driven engagements
- Licensing & Management (Soho Works) – long-term, annuity-based deals
- Ensure each vertical has a tailored sales approach while maintaining a unified Soho strategy
- Team Leadership & Structure
- Build and lead a high-performance BD organization:
- Regional BD Heads (e.g., Middle East, Asia)
- Vertical-specific BD leads (Consulting, Marketing, Licensing)
- Establish clear KPIs, accountability frameworks, and performance culture
- Mentor teams on strategic selling, deal structuring, and client engagement
- Strategic Partnerships & Key Deals
- Lead negotiations for major global deals, including:
- Hotel partnerships
- Developer-led mixed-use projects
- Brand licensing and franchise agreements
- Build and maintain relationships with:
- Hotel groups
- Real estate developers
- Investment partners
- Collaborate closely with the CEO on high-value, strategic opportunities
- Deal Structuring & Commercial Strategy
- Define pricing frameworks and commercial models across all verticals
- Structure licensing, management, and consulting agreements
- Ensure deals are financially sound, scalable, and aligned with Soho’s long-term strategy
- Systems, Tools & Process
- Implement and optimize CRM systems (e.g., Zoho) for pipeline management
- Establish standardized BD processes across all regions and verticals
- Drive data-led decision-making and performance optimization
Success Metrics
- Growth of global pipeline and deal conversion rates
- Revenue across Soho X, SaySo, and Soho Works
- Number and quality of international partnerships secured
- Expansion into priority markets
- Strength and performance of BD team
Candidate Profile
- Proven experience in hospitality or lifestyle-driven industries
- Strong track record in global business development and deal-making
- Experience managing multi-layered sales organizations
- Deep understanding of hotel operators, developers, and F&B ecosystems
- Strategic thinker with the ability to execute at speed
- Entrepreneurial mindset with strong leadership presence
What Success Looks Like
- Soho establishes a consistent global pipeline across all verticals
- New licensing and management deals are secured in key international markets
- Soho X and SaySo achieve sustained growth through structured BD efforts
- A scalable, high-performance BD engine is built — not reliant on individuals, but on systems
Why This Role Matters
This role sits at the core of Soho’s next phase of growth. The CDO will transform business development from founder-led deal-making into a scalable global engine, positioning Soho as a leading force in hospitality experience transformation worldwide.