Business Development Manager

About Aquaano

Aquaano is an innovative Indian startup redefining how brands reach their audience by combining free drinking water distribution with high-impact, purpose-driven advertising. We help brands achieve mass visibility without expensive ad spends by delivering campaigns through custom-designed water bottles placed directly in targeted environments.

Our advertising model goes beyond traditional media:

• Targeted Campaign Placement: Each campaign is tailored to the brand's audiencebottles are distributed at specific locations and touchpoints chosen by the advertiser.
• Tech-Enabled Marketing: QR codes on bottles provide complete scan analytics, engagement insights, and real-time location performance tracking.
• Community-Based Targeting: We map citywide activities (run clubs, marathons, sports events, fitness hubs, etc.) to connect brands with the most relevant audience communities.
• Custom Water Bottles for Businesses: Hotels, restaurants, gyms, and corporate spaces receive brand-aligned water bottlesavoiding the need to promote external brands inside their premises.
• Breakthrough Physical Advertising Medium: In a world overwhelmed with digital ads and decreasing attention spans, our bottle-based advertising stands out as memorable, interactive, and always in the consumer's hand.

Every campaign also contributes to social gooda portion of revenue supports water-access solutions such as installing borewells in underserved communities.

Aquaano proves that impactful marketing and meaningful social change can thrive together.

The ideal candidate will lead initiatives to generate and engage with business partners to build new business for the company. This candidate will be focused and have strong communication skills. They should be able to think critically when making plans and have a demonstrated ability to execute a particular strategy.

Role Description

We are looking for a dynamic, high-performing Business Development Manager to drive client acquisition, develop strategic partnerships, and accelerate revenue for our unique outdoor advertising platform. This role is instrumental in onboarding brands that value impactful marketing while contributing to a meaningful social cause: solving water scarcity through charitable projects like borewells.

Key Responsibilities

1. Client Acquisition & Revenue Growth

Identify, prospect, and acquire clients across sectors such as FMCG, Tech, Healthcare, BFSI, Startups, D2C and Lifestyle brands.

Present tailored advertising solutions that highlight brand visibility, ROI, and Aquaano's social impact.

Achieve monthly and quarterly business development targets.

Build strong relationships with marketing heads, brand managers, and advertising agencies.

2. Strategic Planning & Market Expansion

Conduct market research to identify opportunities, trends, and whitespace in the outdoor advertising and purpose-driven marketing space.

Develop and execute long-term business development strategies aligned with Aquaano's growth roadmap.

Analyse competitor offerings and market dynamics to enhance our value proposition.

Create compelling proposals, sales decks, and presentations showcasing performance and impact metrics.

3. Relationship & Account Management

Maintain strong, long-term partnerships with clients, agencies, and strategic partners.

Work with internal teams (operations, marketing, finance) to ensure smooth onboarding and execution.

Provide ongoing support to ensure high client satisfaction, repeat business, and referrals.

Represent Aquaano at industry events, networking forums, and brand discussions.

4. Sales Process Ownership

Manage the full sales lifecycle: lead generation qualification pitch negotiation contract closure.

Negotiate pricing and partnership terms within company guidelines.

Maintain accurate CRM data, sales pipelines, forecasts, and activity reports.

Monitor sales metrics and continuously optimise conversion rates.

Required Skills & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, or related field.

35+ years of proven experience in B2B sales/business development/media sales / FMCG / SaaS or advertising.

Strong experience selling to corporate clients, brand managers, and agencies.

Demonstrated track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets.

Excellent communication, presentation, and storytelling abilities.

Strong negotiation skills with the ability to close high-value deals.

Proficiency with CRM tools, MS Office, and sales analytics.

Ability to work in a fast-paced startup environment with high ownership.

Preferred Skills

Experience in advertising, OOH, media buying/selling, or brand marketing.

Strong network within agencies or corporate marketing teams.

Exposure to startup ecosystems or early-stage growth environments.

Understanding of social impact, ESG initiatives, or sustainability-driven marketing.

Personal Attributes

Results-driven, self-motivated, and entrepreneurial in mindset.

Passionate about purpose-led marketing and social impact initiatives.

Adaptable to ambiguity and comfortable taking ownership.

Excellent time management, organisation, and problem-solving abilities.

Strong relationship-building and networking skills.

Location & Travel

Primary Location: Hi-Tech City, Hyderabad, Telangana

Hybrid working model with flexibility.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit:

1. Updated resume highlighting relevant sales achievements

2. Cover letter explaining why you're passionate about our mission

3. Portfolio of successful client acquisition examples (if available)

To Apply: Send your application with an updated resume to [[Confidential Information]] with the subject line BDM Application - [Your Name]