Associate Director, Business Development (Relocation Support Provided)

ShopBack•Chicago, IL

77d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a strategic role for a commercially savvy individual who can bring monetization ideas and has an existing network of business contacts. The position involves managing key merchant relationships and commercial negotiations with significant autonomy. The Associate Director will partner with the Head of Business Development to shape the overall business development strategy, pipeline, and team. The role is based in Austin, Texas, and relocation support is provided.

Requirements

7+ years in business development, partnerships, or account management, ideally in e-commerce, fintech, affiliate marketing, or rewards/cashback.
Proven track record structuring and closing complex commercial deals beyond managing existing relationships.
Strong negotiation and relationship management skills, comfortable representing ShopBack at a senior level with merchant partners.
Data-driven and a critical thinker; able to form views from data and explain the reasoning behind recommendations.
Leadership-ready with the desire and capability to step into a leadership role as the position evolves.
Comfortable with ambiguity and stepping up; judgment and initiative are important.
Ad-Sales & Media Monetization Expertise: Proven track record selling digital performance media (in-app, web, CRM) and physical offline/in-store inventory, with direct experience pitching retail media, rate cards, and flat-fee placement packages alongside core performance agreements.
AI-native: Proficient in using AI tools as a default way of working.

Nice To Haves

Existing book of business.

Responsibilities

Own and grow a portfolio of strategic merchant relationships, structuring and negotiating commercial terms that drive revenue growth.
Lead renewals and expansions across key accounts, focusing on unlocking incremental margin and volume.
Partner with the wider Business Development team on cross-account initiatives, category strategy, and deal structuring best practices.
Represent Business Development in cross-functional initiatives with Marketing, Finance, and Product, including partnership campaigns and platform reliability issues.
Build and maintain the judgment, relationships, and operating knowledge needed to potentially step into a Head of Business Development role.
Contribute directly to Business Development strategy and reporting, including input into board- and leadership-level updates on partnership performance.