Regional Business Development Manager – Commercial Interiors

Room & Board•Chicago, IL

43d•$135,000 - $155,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Grow Room & Board for Business Through Relationships, Industry Expertise, and Thoughtful Solutions. At Room & Board, we believe great business starts with strong relationships. Through Room & Board for Business, we partner with organizations and design professionals to create thoughtful commercial spaces across workplace, hospitality, multifamily, and other environments. As our Regional Business Development Manager - Commercial Interiors, you'll build on Room & Board's growing commercial presence across our Central region by creating new opportunities and strengthening relationships with architecture and design firms, purchasing partners, FF&E dealers, developers, hospitality professionals, and other key decision-makers. You'll bring your industry knowledge and relationships to grow the business, expand our regional presence, and represent Room & Board throughout the commercial design community. You'll do it within a business model that's different from traditional sales. Room & Board is 90% employee-owned, and this is a non-commissioned business development role. Our regional business development team collaborates nationally, sharing relationships, expertise, and opportunities across markets. Success comes from understanding what matters to our customers, confidently communicating Room & Board's unique value, and building relationships for the long term rather than simply competing on price. If you're an established commercial industry professional who is energized by opening doors, building lasting relationships, and creating new business, and you want the autonomy to own a region with the support of a collaborative national team, we'd love to meet you. This role is part of our Room & Board for Business team and reports to the Director of Customer Experience.

Requirements

5+ years of successful B2B business development or sales experience, with commercial furniture, architecture and design, contract interiors, or related industry experience strongly preferred.
A strong network within the commercial design industry,including relationships with A&D firms, purchasing agents, FF&E dealers, and other key decision-makers.
Demonstrated success developing new business, building a strong pipeline, growing long-term customer relationships, and achieving sales goals.
Strong knowledge of the commercial furniture or related industry and the ability to understand customer and project needs. Experience with specification-based selling and complex commercial projects is a plus.
Strong networking, presentation, communication, and relationship-building skills with the ability to articulate value and influence decision-makers.
Demonstrated ability to leverage CRM platforms, SAP, Microsoft Office Suite, and other business technologies to effectively manage sales opportunities, monitor performance, strengthen customer relationships, and support data-driven decision making.
An entrepreneurial, positive, and resilient approach, with the confidence to own the Midwest/Central regions to create opportunities, adapt when needed, and work autonomously while staying connected to a collaborative team.
Enthusiasm for a non-commissioned, employee-owned environment where relationships, knowledge, and success are shared.
Ability to provide proof of identity and legal work authorization upon hire.

Nice To Haves

Experience with specification-based selling and complex commercial projects is a plus.

Responsibilities

Grow the regional business. Build on existing momentum by developing new business, managing a strong opportunity pipeline, and deepening relationships to drive approximately $2M to $3M in annual sales. Leverage CRM and business tools to manage opportunities, track progress, and focus your efforts where they can have the greatest impact.
Build meaningful industry relationships. Cultivate relationships with architecture and design firms, purchasing partners, FF&E dealers, developers, hospitality organizations, and other commercial decision-makers, turning connections into long-term partnerships.
Bring Room & Board to the market. Represent our brand through networking, industry events, design firm presentations, client meetings, store-hosted experiences, and collaborative outreach that strengthens our presence within the commercial design community.
Create thoughtful customer solutions. Understand each customer's business and project needs and confidently communicate Room & Board's value. Develop compelling solutions and partner with Project Coordinators and retail teams to create a seamless experience from initial conversation through completed project.
Grow strategic partnerships. Develop and expand National Key Account relationships while collaborating with regional business development partners across the country to share opportunities, expertise, and insights.
Help shape what's next. Bring customer, competitor, and industry insights forward to identify growth opportunities and influence products, processes, tools, and future Room & Board for Business strategies.