Business Development Director

In a Nutshell

IDEO Chicago is seeking a Director of Growth to expand the client portfolio and build a robust pipeline of human-centered design projects. This role involves identifying opportunities, building relationships, and generating new business.

About the Role

You will set direction and drive execution, working closely with studio and global leadership to clarify growth priorities, focus areas, and goals. You'll translate strategy into a focused growth plan for the studio and maintain visibility into progress, adjusting as necessary.

Responsibilities

• Partner with studio and global leadership to clarify growth priorities, focus areas, and goals
• 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
• Develop and land new business
• Closely with design leaders to shape opportunities from first conversation through signed contract
• 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
• 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

Qualifications

• 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

Benefits

IDEO offers competitive compensation, including a salary range of $130,000–$180,000 USD, with final offers based on experience, location, and other factors. Full-time employees are eligible for employee benefits.