Head of Business Development (Building Partnerships)

Pentice • Chicago, IL

4h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Head of Business Development owns sales of profitable Class A buildings for Pentice, managing each deal from first contact through signed agreement. The role targets property management companies, regional managers, asset managers, and building owners, and works closely with the CEO and Operations. The CEO joins only selected deals; the Head of Business Development is responsible for closing deals directly.

During the first 12 months, the role is accountable for targets set with the CEO for signed buildings or net new units, portfolio agreements, qualified decision-maker meetings, deal speed and cost, and proof assets for signed buildings. Weekly reporting covers new contacts, first meetings, proposals, deals in negotiation, and signed contracts.

The position is full-time and exempt, based in Chicago with a hybrid arrangement. Most weeks are spent in the field meeting buyers and touring buildings. The role reports to the CEO, has a separate sales budget set with the CEO, and receives limited support with deck design, data pulls, and marketing assets. The role owns strategy, targeting, and sales conversations. There is a potential path to VP Business Development as the company grows into new markets, contingent on meeting targets for at least two consecutive quarters.

Requirements

• At least 6 years of experience in business development, sales, or partnerships.
• At least 3 years selling to multifamily or commercial real estate decision-makers, such as property management companies, asset managers, REITs, or building owners.
• Experience with long B2B sales cycles involving multiple stakeholders.
• Personal track record of closing several six-figure or multi-year agreements; single-call deals do not qualify.
• Must have personally closed deals; supporting a sales team alone is insufficient.
• Ability to demonstrate results with numbers, including deals closed, contract value or units signed, and time to close.
• Ability to build a financial case accepted by an asset manager.
• Ability to lead negotiations from initial offer through signed agreement.
• Daily CRM use and accurate recordkeeping.
• Must live in Chicago or be able to move there.
• Must be able to meet buyers in person and tour buildings regularly.

Nice To Haves

• Relationships with multifamily decision-makers in Chicago or a similar U.S. market.
• If lacking an established network, demonstrated experience building one from zero in a new territory.

Responsibilities

• Map Class A buildings in target markets and identify the associated property management companies, regional managers, asset managers, and owners.
• Contact decision-makers directly using networks, referrals, LinkedIn, email, phone, and industry events.
• Lead the full sales process, including discovery calls, building tours, proposals, negotiations, and closing agreements.
• Tailor the sales case to each buyer, including financial cases for asset managers and confidence-building for owners.
• Develop portfolio opportunities by expanding from signed buildings to additional buildings managed by the same company.
• Work with Operations to collect reviews, case studies, and financial results, then use those proof assets in sales deals.
• Maintain accurate CRM records for contacts, deal stages, and next steps.
• Run a weekly pipeline review with the CEO and present deal stages, next actions, and requests.
• Share buyer feedback and information about why deals stall or fail with the CEO and Operations.
• Meet agreed targets for signed inventory, portfolio agreements, qualified meetings, deal speed and cost, and sales proof assets.

Benefits

• Separate budget for events, travel, sales tools, and sales materials, set with the CEO.
• Support from a small team with deck design, data pulls, and light marketing assets.
• Potential path to VP Business Development as the company grows into new markets, subject to meeting targets for two or more consecutive quarters.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed