Vice President, Business Development

Exponent Inc. seeks a Vice President of Business Development to lead the firm’s global business development strategy and organization from its Menlo Park headquarters in California.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a firm-wide business development strategy that drives sustainable revenue growth, profitability, and long-term global market positioning.
• Lead internal business development and marketing functions with an integrated, disciplined approach that supports consultant-led client development.
• Serve as a senior, market-facing partner to firm leadership and consulting teams, creating opportunities, opening doors to new and expanded client relationships, and strengthening engagement with senior corporate, legal, and regulatory buyers.
• Monitor market, industry, legal, and regulatory trends to identify emerging opportunities and inform growth priorities.
• Partner closely with the CEO, President, Group Vice Presidents, Practice Directors, Office Directors, and consultants to develop new and differentiated service offerings and enhance cross-practice collaboration.
• Strengthen Exponent’s brand, market presence, and reputation as a premier engineering and scientific consulting firm known for rigor, independence, and sound judgment.
• Create platforms and events to accelerate the business development capabilities and market connections of next-generation consultants.
• Attract, develop, and lead a high-performing business development and marketing organization, fostering a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative culture.
• Build and sustain strong internal and external relationships that advance the firm’s strategy and deliver meaningful value to clients and communities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, marketing, or another relevant discipline.
• Technical fluency and the ability to understand, synthesize, and clearly communicate the breadth of Exponent’s engineering and scientific work, translating that capability into trusted client relationships and growth opportunities.
• Ten or more years of experience leading business development within a high-end professional services firm, with proven success supporting complex, expertise-driven offerings.
• A strong, established network of senior-level relationships within corporate, legal, and/or regulatory communities, with credibility among decision-makers, influencers, and buying audiences in Exponent’s core markets.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with legal, regulatory, and risk-informed buyers, including the ability to navigate sophisticated client environments where independence, judgment, and scientific rigor are critical.
• Proven ability to partner effectively with senior executives, practice leaders, and multidisciplinary technical teams in a collaborative, consultant-centric environment.
• Demonstrated success building, mentoring, and leading high-performing business development and/or marketing teams that operate with discipline, accountability, and impact.
• Strong strategic, analytical, and interpersonal skills, coupled with sound judgment and executive presence in premium, high-stakes client environments.
• Leadership approach aligned with Exponent’s core values of technical rigor, objectivity, respect, collaborative diversity, and meaningful impact.

Key Statistics

• 950+ Consultants
• 640+ Ph.D.s
• 90+ Disciplines
• 30+ Offices globally

Our Opportunity

Exponent is seeking a Vice President of Business Development to provide firm-wide leadership for the global business development strategy and organization. Reporting directly to the CEO, this role is based at Exponent’s headquarters in Menlo Park, CA, and will partner with leadership across all practices and geographies.

As a Visible Ambassador for the Firm

As a visible ambassador for the firm, the Vice President of Business Development will represent Exponent in premium, high-stakes environments where scientific rigor, independence, and credibility matter most, while ensuring the firm’s business development and marketing efforts operate as a disciplined, integrated engine aligned with Exponent’s long-term strategy, culture, and values.

Life at Exponent

For life at Exponent and our impact, please explore:

• Life at Exponent
• Our Impact

We value diversity, equity, and inclusion across all facets of the firm. A team with varied backgrounds, skills, and perspectives enhances client value and the work environment. The firm offers programs and resources to support health and well-being, along with competitive benefits and recognition programs to empower staff.

Work Environment

Exponent emphasizes in-person collaboration as essential for employee engagement, development, and building an inclusive workplace. The environment is supportive, with a collaborative, multi-disciplinary, on-site setting.

Compensation

The pay rate for this position is contingent on experience and will be assessed during the interview process.

Salary Range

USD 300,000.00 - USD 375,000.00 per year.

Benefits You Will Enjoy

• Life @ Exponent benefits information
• Exponent is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status.
• If you need assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please email [email protected].