Business Development Manager

Envision Unlimited • Chicago, IL

13d • $68,000 - $92,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Business Development Manager serves as Envision Unlimited's boots-on-the-ground relationship builder in priority communities and growth markets. The position is responsible for increasing awareness of Envision Unlimited programs and services, developing relationships with referral sources, generating qualified member and client referrals, supporting local market visibility, and identifying potential community and corporate partnerships. This is a highly external, field-based position requiring the Business Development Manager to spend significant time in the communities Envision Unlimited serves and seeks to serve. The Manager will build trusted relationships with hospitals, schools, healthcare providers, social service organizations, state and local agencies, case managers, community organizations, businesses, civic groups, elected officials and other stakeholders who can connect individuals and families to Envision Unlimited services. The Business Development Manager will work closely with program and operations leadership to understand available services, capacity, eligibility requirements and organizational growth priorities and translate those priorities into targeted community outreach and referral-development strategies. The Manager will also serve as a local ambassador for Envision Unlimited, identifying community events, networking opportunities, partnerships and local marketing opportunities that strengthen Envision Unlimited presence and reputation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Healthcare Administration, Social Services, Nonprofit Management, Public Relations or a related field preferred. Equivalent relevant professional experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in business development, community relations, healthcare outreach, referral development, sales, nonprofit outreach or a related field.
• Demonstrated success building external relationships and developing referral or business pipelines.
• Experience working in healthcare, behavioral health, disability services, social services or another referral-driven environment strongly preferred.
• Experience conducting community outreach and representing an organization externally.
• Experience working independently in a field-based role preferred.
• Exceptional relationship-building and networking skills.
• Strong business development and pipeline-building mindset.
• Comfortable initiating relationships and conducting significant cold and warm outreach.
• Ability to develop trust with community stakeholders, families, professionals and business leaders.
• Strong presentation and public-speaking skills.
• Ability to understand complex programs and communicate them clearly to different audiences.
• Strong follow-up and relationship-management discipline.
• Ability to work independently and manage a large geographic territory.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to analyze referral trends and identify growth opportunities.
• Proficiency with Salesforce or comparable CRM systems.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel regularly throughout assigned markets.

Nice To Haves

• Equivalent relevant professional experience may be considered.
• Experience working in healthcare, behavioral health, disability services, social services or another referral-driven environment strongly preferred.
• Experience working independently in a field-based role preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute market-specific business development plans designed to increase qualified referrals to Envision Unlimited programs and services.
• Identify, cultivate and maintain relationships with organizations and professionals positioned to refer prospective members and clients.
• Develop relationships with hospitals, healthcare systems, behavioral health providers, schools, transition programs, case managers, service coordinators, state agencies, local government entities, social service organizations and other referral sources.
• Conduct regular in-person visits with current and prospective referral partners.
• Educate referral partners about Envision Unlimited services, eligibility requirements, geographic reach and referral processes.
• Identify barriers to referrals and work internally to improve the referral experience.
• Maintain consistent follow-up with referral partners and track referrals generated through individual relationships.
• Develop strategies to convert new referral sources into consistent, recurring referral partners.
• Partner with program leadership to prioritize outreach based upon program capacity and organizational growth goals.
• Serve as a visible Envision Unlimited representative within assigned communities.
• Build relationships with community organizations, chambers of commerce, civic organizations, healthcare networks, schools, municipalities and other local stakeholders.
• Attend community meetings, networking events, resource fairs, conferences and other gatherings where Envision Unlimited should have a presence.
• Develop relationships with community leaders and connectors who can increase awareness of Envision Unlimited.
• Identify opportunities for Envision Unlimited leadership and program staff to participate in community conversations, presentations and events.
• Build a network of community ambassadors who understand and can communicate Envision Unlimited mission and services.
• Serve as the primary field marketing representative for assigned markets.
• Identify local events, conferences, resource fairs and community activities that provide meaningful opportunities to reach potential members, families, referral partners and community stakeholders.
• Coordinate Envision Unlimited participation in appropriate community events.
• Distribute and maintain current program and referral materials throughout assigned communities.
• Partner with Marketing & Communications to develop market-specific outreach materials and campaigns.
• Identify opportunities for local media, community newsletters, digital groups and partner communications to increase awareness of Envision Unlimited.
• Gather market intelligence and community feedback to inform organizational marketing and growth strategies.
• Develop relationships with businesses and employers within assigned communities.
• Introduce corporate and business leaders to Envision Unlimited mission, services and opportunities for engagement.
• Identify businesses with potential interest in philanthropy, sponsorship, volunteerism, employment partnerships, cause marketing or other forms of engagement.
• Qualify potential corporate partners and transition high-potential relationships to the Director of Corporate Engagement for further cultivation and solicitation.
• Collaborate with the Director of Corporate Engagement on local corporate cultivation strategies when appropriate.
• Identify employers and business partners that may support Envision Unlimited employment services and workforce development efforts.
• Develop a strong understanding of the disability, behavioral health and social service landscape within assigned markets.
• Monitor community needs, referral trends, service gaps, competitor activity and emerging partnership opportunities.
• Identify unmet needs and potential opportunities for Envision Unlimited to expand or adapt services.
• Provide regular market intelligence to External Affairs and program leadership.
• Identify potential strategic partnerships that could accelerate Envision Unlimited growth.
• Participate in market-entry and expansion planning for new communities.
• Work closely with program and operations leadership to understand current capacity, eligibility requirements, intake processes and growth priorities.
• Establish clear processes for transitioning qualified referrals to appropriate internal teams.
• Track the progression of referrals from initial inquiry through intake and enrollment when possible.
• Communicate feedback from referral partners and prospective members to internal teams.
• Collaborate with the Director of Corporate Engagement, Marketing & Communications, Advocacy & Government Affairs, and other External Affairs team members on shared relationship opportunities.
• Maintain accurate records of referral sources, community relationships, corporate prospects, meetings, events and opportunities in Salesforce or other designated systems.
• Maintain a market-specific relationship and referral pipeline.
• Track referral sources and identify which relationships generate the strongest results.
• Prepare monthly reports on outreach activity, referral pipeline, community engagement and market trends.
• Participate in regular pipeline and growth strategy meetings with leadership.

Benefits

• Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medical Coverage: HMO, PPO
• Dental and Vision Insurance Options
• Company paid Life and LTD Insurance
• Voluntary plans (Pet insurance, AD&D, Life, Critical Illness, Short Term Disability)
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Paid vacation, sick time and personal days
• 403B plan
• In house training and CEU’s
• Employee Assistance Network
• Support for pursuing clinical licensure (financial and time off)
• Opportunity for career growth & development

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level