Application Guide
How to Apply for Vice President, Business Development
at BME Strategies
🏢 About BME Strategies
BME Strategies is a Massachusetts-based public health consulting firm founded in 2004 that exclusively serves local, regional, and state government partners, often acting as an extension of their staff through multi-year, multi-project engagements. Unlike typical consulting firms, BME prioritizes evidence-based, community-driven solutions and health equity, with a culture defined by a bias toward action, optimistic collaboration, and minimal ego. Working here means directly strengthening public health systems and advancing equity in communities that need it most.
About This Role
As Vice President of Business Development, you will lead and execute BME Strategies' growth strategy for government contracts in public health, securing large-scale contracts and fostering deep relationships with public sector stakeholders. This is a leadership team role where you will shape firm-wide strategy, drive revenue growth, and ensure BME's mission of equitable public health impact scales. You will be the bridge between BME's consulting expertise and the government partners who rely on it, directly influencing the firm's ability to serve more communities.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve meeting with a state health department contact to discuss a upcoming proposal, collaborating with BME's consulting team to shape a technical approach, and analyzing a new funding opportunity to assess fit with BME's capabilities. You'll balance proactive outreach to new agencies with nurturing existing multi-year partnerships, always keeping an eye on how each opportunity advances public health equity.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who BME Strategies Is Looking For
- Proven track record of winning and managing large-scale government contracts (local, state, or federal) in public health or a closely related field, with measurable revenue growth results.
- Deep understanding of public health systems, government procurement processes, and the nuances of working with agencies on the front lines of public health.
- Relationship-builder who can navigate complex stakeholder environments, from health department leaders to procurement officers, and is seen as a trusted partner rather than just a vendor.
- Self-directed and comfortable with ambiguity, embodying BME's values: bias toward action, optimistic collaboration, minimal ego, and a commitment to equitable solutions.
📝 Tips for Applying to BME Strategies
Quantify your government contract wins in your resume and cover letter—include specific contract values, agencies, and outcomes (e.g., 'secured $5M state health department contract for COVID-19 response').
Highlight multi-year, multi-project engagements you've led, as BME prides itself on long-term partnerships where they function as an extension of client staff.
Demonstrate familiarity with Massachusetts or similar state/local public health landscapes; mention any experience with Massachusetts agencies like DPH or regional health commissions.
Explicitly connect your business development philosophy to BME's values—show how you pursue equitable solutions and maintain a bias toward action even in ambiguous situations.
Use your cover letter to propose a high-level growth idea for BME (e.g., a specific funding stream or agency you'd target), showing you've done homework and can think strategically from day one.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your proven ability to secure and manage large-scale government contracts, with concrete examples of revenue growth and contract values.', 'Your understanding of public health as a mission-driven field and how you balance commercial growth with equitable, community-driven solutions.', 'Your experience working as an extension of government staff and navigating multi-year, multi-project engagements with minimal ego.', "Your vision for BME's growth strategy, including specific agencies or funding streams you would target and how you would build relationships."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review BME Strategies' website, especially case studies and client lists, to understand their existing government partnerships and areas of expertise (e.g., program evaluation, health equity).
- → Research recent public health funding trends and government contracts in Massachusetts and nationally, such as CDC grants, state health improvement plans, and local health department initiatives.
- → Look into the backgrounds of BME's leadership team to understand their priorities and how the VP of Business Development will complement their skills.
- → Explore BME's values in action—search for any press releases, blog posts, or social media that show how they embody 'minimal ego' and 'equitable solution' in their work.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on sales numbers without demonstrating an understanding of public health mission and government contracting nuances—BME values mission alignment as much as revenue.
- Using generic business development language that could apply to any industry; instead, speak specifically to public health government contracts and BME's unique client relationships.
- Neglecting to show how you embody BME's values (e.g., minimal ego, bias toward action)—they are central to the firm's culture and will be assessed in interviews.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to BME Strategies!