Senior Director, Growth & Business Development

Ruder Finn•Chicago, IL

2d•$115,000 - $140,000

About The Position

Ruder Finn is seeking a collaborative, commercially minded Senior Director, Growth & Business Development to strengthen the firm’s growth engine. The role identifies and pursues suitable opportunities, builds a strong pipeline, and brings together the firm’s people and capabilities to present a compelling, differentiated story to prospective clients. Working with senior leaders and teams across the firm, the Senior Director manages strategic prospecting and RFI, RFP, and pitch efforts from opportunity through presentation. The role helps shape pursuit strategies, connect people and capabilities, and build relationships that generate new opportunities. It also partners with firm leaders to develop and execute proactive outreach strategies, identify opportunities, strengthen relationships, and create meaningful connections with prospective clients.

Requirements

At least 7 years of experience in business development, agency growth, strategic partnerships, consulting, marketing communications, or a related field.
Strong experience managing RFI, RFP, and pitch processes.
A track record of building relationships, contributing to new business growth, and moving opportunities forward.
Excellent strategic thinking, writing, presentation, and project management skills.
Confidence partnering with senior executives and leaders across different disciplines.
Strong judgment, organization, and follow-through, with the ability to keep multiple opportunities moving at once.
A collaborative, low-ego approach and comfort working across a fast-moving, matrixed organization.

Responsibilities

Manage RFI, RFP, and pitch efforts from opportunity assessment through submission and presentation.
Help shape pursuit strategies, teams, timelines, and differentiated points of view.
Partner with senior and practice leaders to develop compelling responses, presentations, and pitch experiences.
Bring pitch teams together and coordinate collaboration, rehearsals, and follow-through.
Drive strategic prospecting and help build, qualify, and advance a healthy pipeline.
Develop priority prospect lists, account strategies, and thoughtful engagement plans.
Identify new areas for growth, industry white space, and opportunities to deepen relationships.
Build connections across practices, geographies, and external partners to unlock opportunities.
Support senior leaders with relationship mapping, outreach, meeting preparation, and follow-up.
Provide clear visibility into active pursuits, pipeline activity, market opportunities, and next steps.
Connect growth priorities with thought leadership, executive visibility, RF.com, and broader marketing efforts.