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Business Development Director

Chicago, IL

Business Development Director

In a nutshell:

IDEO Chicago is looking for a Director of Growth to expand our client portfolio and build a strong pipeline of ambitious, meaningful human-centered design work.

Your role is to help us win the right work, build enduring relationships, and create consistent momentum in the market. You’ll identify opportunities, develop early-stage relationships, shape them into real pursuits, and help others do the same.

This role requires both doing and enabling. You’ll personally initiate conversations and generate new business, while also strengthening the systems and habits that make growth a shared responsibility across the studio. 

We believe business development is a team sport. You’ll work closely with Chicago studio leadership, our Chicago Business Development Lead, the Global Head of Growth, and other BD leaders across IDEO. As Growth Director, you’ll help shape the future of IDEO Chicago — the clients we serve, the challenges we take on, and how we show up in the world.

Once here you will:

Set direction and drive execution

  • Partner with studio and global leadership to clarify growth priorities, focus areas, and goals
  • Translate strategy into a focused growth plan for the studio
  • Maintain visibility into progress and adjust where needed

Generate new leads and start conversations

  • Proactively identify and reach out to prospective clients in priority sectors
  • Build and maintain a strong external network in Chicago and beyond
  • Represent IDEO at events and conferences — and create opportunities for others to do the same
  • Turn informal conversations into qualified early-stage opportunities
  • Activate the broader studio — equipping design and portfolio leaders with tools, messaging, and systems that support proactive growth

Developing and landing new business

  • Partner closely with design leaders to shape opportunities from first conversation through signed contract
  • Help determine where to invest energy for the highest impact

Strengthen key client relationships

  • Partner with Client Relationship Leads to develop account plans that deepen trust and surface new opportunities
  • Maintain a clear view of early-stage relationships and ensure consistent follow-up
  • Support Directors in reconnecting with former clients or reframing stalled relationships
  • Identify whitespace within existing accounts and help turn it into new work

Build growth capability in the studio

  • Model effective growth behaviors and coach others to do the same
  • Strengthen the systems and rhythms that support proactive business development
  • Foster a culture of proactivity, curiosity, and follow-through

Relevant Experiences + Skills:

  • Demonstrated experience leading business development, growth, or client partnerships within consulting, design, innovation, or adjacent industries
  • A strong ability to identify opportunities, build relationships, and translate early conversations into meaningful work
  • Experience developing and managing a pipeline from early outreach through proposal and contract
  • Confidence partnering with senior leaders and cross-disciplinary teams to shape pursuits and close new business
  • A well-developed professional network, ideally within Chicago and/or priority industry sectors
  • Skill in communicating complex ideas clearly, crafting compelling narratives, and positioning creative work with clients
  • Experience supporting account growth and long-term client relationships, including identifying new opportunities within existing partnerships
  • Comfort operating both strategically and tactically, setting direction while also executing day-to-day outreach and relationship building
  • A collaborative mindset and the ability to activate others around growth, coaching teams and building shared ownership of business development
  • Curiosity about human-centered design and innovation, and excitement about bringing these approaches to organizations tackling meaningful challenges

Some previous projects to check out:

What does IDEO offer you?

IDEO is a place where you can solve diverse, complex challenges for our clients and their organizations, alongside thoughtful, intelligent individuals who lead with curiosity, empathy, and humility. We intentionally craft moments that allow our community to pause, create, and connect. We encourage our community to bring their whole selves to work, respect the need for work-life balance, and allow for autonomy in the design process and your career.

Payscale & Benefits

IDEO is committed to paying its employees, contractors & vendors equitably, regardless of gender identity or race/ethnicity/cultural identity.

The salary range for this role is $130,000–$180,000 USD. Final offers may vary based on candidate experience, location, and other factors. As a full-time position, this role is eligible for employee benefits.

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