National Business Development Director HVACR

National Business Development Director HVACR

Our client is a global market leader in motion, automation, and electrification technologies, serving industries and infrastructure with world-class drives and systems. With a strong U.S. footprint and a highly autonomous local leadership team, the company empowers its leaders to shape strategy, drive growth, and influence innovation.

This opportunity is based in Southeastern Wisconsin, within a business unit that generates $250M+ in annual HVACR revenue and holds the #1 market share in the U.S. HVACR drives market. The division has a strong foundation, a highly profitable track record, and is now poised to accelerate growth into emerging sectors such as data centers, energy efficiency, and electrification of heat.

The key role will lead the company's U.S. HVACR channel business, overseeing a national network of 50+ channel partners and a team of regional sales managers and specialists. This individual will drive strategy and execution across revenue growth, margin performance, and channel partner engagement.

This role is highly visible within the U.S. leadership team, reporting directly to the Global HVACR Segment Vice President, and will collaborate closely with the U.S. Division President. It requires a leader who can balance strategic vision with hands-on channel sales execution, while also building strong relationships with distributors, OEMs, and end users.

Why this opportunity stands out:

• Market Leader: Join the #1 provider of HVACR drives in the U.S.
• High Growth Potential: Lead expansion into data centers and efficiency-driven markets.
• Leadership Visibility: Direct impact on U.S. business strategy and a seat at the leadership table.
• Career Advancement: Global scale with opportunities to move across business units and geographies.
• Culture: Entrepreneurial, collaborative, and innovation-driven environment with high autonomy.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead HVACR channel sales across the U.S., accountable for revenue, orders, gross margin, and market share.
• Manage and develop a team of 10, including 5 regional sales managers, channel strategists, and support staff.
• Build and sustain trust-based relationships with a mature network of 52 channel partners; ensure alignment to company's go-to-market strategy.
• Drive growth initiatives into high-potential markets including data centers, commercial buildings, and electrification.
• Oversee forecasting, pricing strategy, and gross margin protection; utilize Salesforce and PowerBI for reporting and analytics.
• Partner cross-functionally with product management, R&D, marketing, operations, and finance to align commercial and technical strategies.
• Represent the company with OEMs, distributors, consulting engineers, and C-suite executives, influencing specifications and major project wins.
• Coach, mentor, and prepare the sales organization for generational transitions and cultural alignment.

Candidate profile:

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field (engineering preferred, not required with equivalent experience).
• 10+ years of sales leadership experience in HVACR or closely related industries.
• Proven expertise managing channel/distributor networks.
• Deep understanding of HVACR systems (chillers, AHUs, pumps, cooling systems, etc.); VFD knowledge a plus.
• P&L accountability for businesses >$250M.
• Familiarity with CRM/BI tools (Salesforce, PowerBI, ERP systems).

Preferred background:

• Experience with major HVACR OEMs (e.g., Trane, Carrier, Daikin, Johnson Controls, Lennox, Mitsubishi Electric).
• Established network in HVACR distribution or OEM channels.
• Track record of driving growth in new or emerging markets (data centers, energy efficiency).
• Experience leading cultural change and mentoring multi-generational teams.

Soft skills:

• Strong relationship builder, socially confident, and engaging.
• Executive presence with excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Collaborative, team-first approach; able to manage big personalities internally and externally.
• Strategic mindset paired with executional discipline.

Compensation & benefits:

• Base salary: $180,000 $250,000 (DOE)
• Annual bonus: 45% target, historically pays out at 75100%
• Full benefits package including 401(k), health, dental, vision, PTO, and holidays
• Relocation assistance available

Work model:

• Hybrid role based in Southeastern Wisconsin
• Candidates must be local or willing to relocate (Chicago-area OK if within driving distance)
• ~50% travel, primarily domestic (occasional international)
• Regular office presence required to collaborate with leadership and team

How to apply: If you are a strategic sales leader with deep HVACR expertise and proven channel leadership experience, we want to hear from you. Please note all resumes and candidate information submitted are kept in the strictest confidence. No resume will be released without the candidate's prior permission.