Business Growth Advisor - Design & Lifestyle Solutions

Business Growth Advisor - Design & Lifestyle Solutions

This role is based in Manhattan, New York. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) is New Zealand's international business development agency. We work with some of New Zealand's most forward-thinking companies, helping them grow bigger, better, and faster around the world. New Zealand's premium design and lifestyle sector is recognized for its creativity, quality, and innovation. From fashion, architecture and interior design, as well as product and industrial design solutions, New Zealand companies are making their mark globally.

Based in our central Manhattan office, we are looking for a market entry expert to provide business planning, strategic insight / guidance to a range of exciting exporters in the premium design and lifestyle sector. You will proactively partner with New Zealand companies to develop and execute their go to market plans. This will include coaching their leadership team to identify the product niche and market approach, identifying opportunities to establish the best market growth strategy and providing expert advice to maximize their market impact.

Your role is all about working with leadership teams to strategize and execute on exciting new channels to market and grow a range of different industrial design manufacturing and consumer goods verticals that are landing and expanding in market. You will also work closely with your peers, internal support teams and key stakeholders, on initiatives that support customer growth. Your guidance will allow the delivery of high impact in-market projects, supporting our customers' growth objectives and providing insights into challenges and best practices to reduce challenges on entry for New Zealand exporters.

What you will need to be successful :

• With commercial smarts and know-how to manage a portfolio of companies in the sectors, you'll play a key role in evaluating their opportunities, and challenges, key objectives and supporting them with market entry and growth strategies.
• You'll have widespread networks in the premium design and lifestyle sectors, this may include fashion, architecture & interior design, product and industrial design and excellent knowledge of how the market operates.
• Keen business acumen is critical, as will be your extensive knowledge in working alongside CEO's and willingness to 'roll your sleeves up'.
• You will have superior communication, business consulting and relationship management skills with the ability to build rapport quickly.
• Knowledgeable in the commercial landscape and the industry, you'll have a strong sense for doing business in the U.S.

Travel is required to visit industry events, build networks, meet customers, and attend team meetings. This role involves working across multiple time zones, so flexibility is important.

NZTE offers a flexible and stimulating environment with a unique opportunity to develop and access world-class business networks within a talented, diverse, and global group. NZTE currently operates in a hybrid working environment, with time required in the Manhattan office as well as flexible work-from-home options. Travel is needed to visit industry events, customers, and attend team meetings. This role involves working across multiple time zones, so flexibility is important. An indicative compensation range for this role is between USD $147,000 - $164,000 per year, which includes a metallic platinum medical insurance plan with dental and vision coverage. Internally, this role is known as Business Development Manager (BDM), banded NYC L17.

Please check out the position description here and apply with a current resume. Please include a cover letter describing why you think you are suited to this role. This vacancy closes 12pm Thursday 23rd October 2025. Please note that we may close this advertisement early if we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to ensure your application is considered. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Employment visa sponsorship is not available. If you have any issues uploading your resume and cover letter, please send directly to : tas@nzte.govt.nz. We believe New Zealand is good for the world. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) is an equal opportunity employer. At NZTE it is all about our people and we seek diversity of thought; we welcome and encourage you to apply regardless of ethnicity, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, neurodiversity or disability. We also welcome applications from Veterans.