Business Development Lead

IDEO•Chicago, IL

23h•$130,000 - $180,000

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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

Responsibilities

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