Gravity Research is looking for a Senior Director, Client Development to drive strategic growth and maximize client impact in a high-autonomy, high-reward role at the forefront of our expansion.

Gravity Research is in a high-growth phase, expanding rapidly as a leader in bespoke research solutions for Fortune 500 companies, interfacing with communications, corporate affairs, and government affairs executives across the company. We help our clients navigate complex landscapes with data-driven insights and strategic intelligence.

This role is focused on upselling, cross-selling, and strategic revenue growth, ensuring clients maximize the full value of Gravity’s offerings. This is a high-visibility, high-autonomy role that requires exceptional commercial acumen, strategic client management skills, and a growth-oriented mindset.

Key Responsibilities

1. Revenue Expansion & Growth Strategy

• Own and drive expansion sales within a portfolio of existing clients, uncovering new opportunities for upselling and cross-selling by working alongside account managers that own day-to-day management responsibilities and core revenue retention responsibilities.

• Develop a strategic growth plan for a set group of clients, aligning Gravity’s services with their evolving needs and priorities.

• Lead commercial conversations with C-suite and senior decision-makers, positioning Gravity as a must-have strategic partner.

• Identify new avenues of growth by uncovering new needs clients may have and working with our research team to develop the right solutions. 

2. Market Intelligence & Client Advocacy

• Stay ahead of industry trends, competitive movements, and client challenges to anticipate future needs.

• Act as a trusted consultant, delivering insights that position Gravity as an indispensable partner.

• Collaborate internally to refine messaging, offerings, and go-to-market strategies for expansion sales.

3. Deal Execution & Negotiation

• Lead pricing and proposal development for expansion deals, ensuring mutually beneficial outcomes.

• Own the sales pipeline for expansion revenue, providing accurate forecasting and clear revenue visibility.

• Negotiate contract renewals, securing long-term commitments and increased deal size.

What We’re Looking For

• A proactive, consultative approach, with the ability to uncover client needs and align solutions effectively.

• A track record of exceeding growth targets, with a strong ability to drive upsell and cross-sell revenue.

• Commercial acumen and executive presence, with experience selling into senior leadership.

• Ability to thrive in a high-growth, fast-paced environment, demonstrating adaptability and urgency.

• Excellent communication and persuasion skills, both written and verbal.

• Willingness to travel as needed to deepen client relationships and drive expansion opportunities ~ 50% of your time.

• Prodigious work ethic and spirit of generosity.

Employment Type: Full-time

Compensation: The salary range for this role is $125,000-$135,000 in base pay + uncapped commission

Location: This job is based in Washington, DC. Gravity Research operates on a hybrid schedule in DC, requiring employees to be in the office every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. This role includes up to 50% travel for client engagements and events.

About Us

Across Gravity Research, generally, the firm looks for three “pillar gifts” in you, and everyone else.  In all of us, these are more aspirational than actual, but they are central in our intentions –

• Force of Ideas: At the center of Gravity Research’s work are the ideas within our work. We believe that ideas—the good and not—have consequences. Our ultimate objective is to bring rigor, insight, and intellectual honesty to the goal of separating the bad from the good, and giving voice, argument, and flight to maintaining the latter.

• Spirit of Generosity:  Gravity Research seeks in its ranks a spirit of generosity: a natural disposition in each colleague toward service and selfless conduct. Our writing should be cut from the same cloth—critical on the merits, but informed by charity and forbearance in measuring motive and personal character.

• Radical Responsibility: We give our people a lot of responsibility early on, and our top performers embrace it. We believe in holding ourselves and our colleagues accountable, taking ownership over big things, striving for excellence, and celebrating success.

Gravity Research is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate against our applicants because of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.