Director, Business Development

TransPerfect, the global leader in language services and technology, is seeking a Director of Business Development to join its Zürich team. This full-time, onsite role focuses on helping international brands solve complex communication and market-entry challenges by identifying, pursuing and closing strategic opportunities. TransPerfect offers a wide range of services, from translation, subtitling and dubbing to multicultural marketing, website globalization and legal support, backed by technology solutions to help clients operate more efficiently in global markets. The company emphasizes a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment with a clear path for development and a strong emphasis on integrity and client success.

The best fit will be someone who thrives in a high-integrity setting, can own their performance and enjoys building long-term client partnerships. Training around the company’s services, technology solutions and workflows is provided, and there’s a growth path for both career and personal development. A minimum of three years in a similar sales leadership role is expected, with a track record of navigating complex engagements from initial contact through to completion.

A minimum of three years in a similar sales role is required for this leadership position, and successful candidates will combine relationship-building prowess with the ability to manage complex engagements from cradle to close.

Steering client engagement and the sales cycle

In this role, you’ll identify and engage prospective clients while maintaining strong relationships throughout the full lifecycle of campaigns. The position requires travel to conferences and client meetings, domestically and internationally, as part of the outreach strategy.

Day-to-day work blends strategic planning with hands-on execution: you’ll shape a sales plan to hit monthly, quarterly and annual targets, keep a healthy pipeline, and present TransPerfect’s capabilities across various formats, from one-on-one discussions to group meetings and online or in-person presentations. You’ll also guide pricing discussions, manage contractual considerations, and set realistic expectations with clients while applying best practices across different industries.

What the role needs from you

Must-have capabilities include the following.

• Uphold a high standard of integrity and service
• Deliver consistently high-quality work
• Prioritize clients and aim to exceed their expectations
• Own your performance and take responsibility
• Multitask effectively and stay calm under pressure
• Treat everyone with respect in all interactions
• Collaborate well with people from diverse backgrounds
• Build and maintain strategic client relationships
• Embrace diversity and be open to new ideas
• Be financially prudent and make sound decisions
• Take proactive steps to achieve results and resolve issues
• Hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Have at least three years of successful sales experience
• Communicate clearly in German and English, both written and spoken
• Understand and articulate the value and competitive advantages of TransPerfect's offerings

Pay and practical details

The role is based in Zürich and is full-time and onsite. Travel is required, including domestic and international trips for conferences and client meetings.

Advice for applicants

Lead with a resume that highlights leadership in sales and a proven ability to win and grow enterprise clients, especially where bilingual communication and global campaigns were involved.

Back up your claims with concrete stories that demonstrate the must-have capabilities, integrity, client service, owning results, collaboration across diverse teams, and handling pricing or contracting negotiations. Where possible, quantify outcomes like pipeline growth or deals closed to give a tangible sense of impact.

Prepare to discuss how you build and execute a sales plan aligned to monthly, quarterly and annual targets, and how you tailor your messaging to different industries while presenting TransPerfect’s capabilities across formats and channels.

In interviews, consider a smart question about expectations for the first year, the targets you’ll be measured against, and how this role collaborates with other service teams to tailor client solutions and accelerate revenue growth.

Ask specifically about how success is defined in the role and what a strong first 90 days would look like, including key stakeholders you’d work with and any immediate opportunities or challenges the team is currently pursuing.