Director of Business Development

About the role

Generate new business opportunities throughout the Chicagoland market and nationally
Own the full sales cycle from prospecting through closing and onboarding
Negotiate pricing, commercial terms, and contracts while ensuring mutually beneficial, long-term partnerships
Build and maintain a healthy pipeline of corporate and distributor opportunities
Represent Aspire CoffeeWorks at networking events, trade shows, conferences, and community functions both locally and nationally
Build trusted relationships with distributors and key business partners
Become fully embedded within the Aspire network—including board members, funders, philanthropy contacts, and Metropolis Coffee's network—to leverage warm introductions and generate new business opportunities
Convert coffee customers into broader Aspire supporters, including gala sponsors, volunteers, employers, and donors
Deliver an exceptional customer experience from the initial meeting through long-term partnership
Share customer insights to help shape future sales and marketing initiatives
Support brand awareness through community engagement and local partnerships
Identify new market opportunities and strategic growth initiatives

Responsibilities

• Generate new business opportunities throughout the Chicagoland market and nationally
• Own the full sales cycle from prospecting through closing and onboarding
• Negotiate pricing, commercial terms, and contracts while ensuring mutually beneficial, long-term partnerships
• Build and maintain a healthy pipeline of corporate and distributor opportunities
• Represent Aspire CoffeeWorks at networking events, trade shows, conferences, and community functions both locally and nationally
• Build trusted relationships with distributors and key business partners
• Become fully embedded within the Aspire network—including board members, funders, philanthropy contacts, and Metropolis Coffee's network—to leverage warm introductions and generate new business opportunities
• Convert coffee customers into broader Aspire supporters, including gala sponsors, volunteers, employers, and donors
• Deliver an exceptional customer experience from the initial meeting through long-term partnership
• Share customer insights to help shape future sales and marketing initiatives
• Support brand awareness through community engagement and local partnerships
• Identify new market opportunities and strategic growth initiatives

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in business development, sales, account management, or partnership development
• Proven success developing new business and managing a sales pipeline
• Experience owning the full sales cycle from prospecting through close
• Excellent relationship-building, networking, and presentation skills
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to work independently
• Outstanding written and verbal communication abilities

Qualifications

• Passion for mission-driven organizations and community partnerships
• Reliable transportation with willingness to travel throughout the Chicagoland area

Skills

• Relationship-first sales professional who enjoys building business through networking, referrals, and face-to-face conversations
• Comfortable prospecting, but understands that long-term success comes from earning trust and building genuine partnerships
• Thrives in autonomous environments where you can own your territory, manage your schedule, and build something meaningful
• Energized by meeting new people, representing a brand in the community, and helping organizations discover how Aspire CoffeeWorks can become part of their workplace
• Motivated by the opportunity to grow a business that creates meaningful employment opportunities while supporting a larger mission

Benefits

• Base Salary: $80,000 USD
• Uncapped commission structure with quarterly incentive opportunities and annual bonus potential
• Mileage reimbursement for business-related travel
• Dedicated budget for networking events, conferences, client meetings, and business entertainment
• Flexible, field-based work environment with significant autonomy and ownership
• Opportunity to build Aspire CoffeeWorks' sales function from the ground up and help shape its long-term commercial strategy
• Make a measurable impact by growing a business where 100% of CoffeeWorks' net proceeds support Aspire's mission and create meaningful employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities
• Direct access to Aspire's executive leadership, Board of Directors, and strategic advisors—including the CEO of Metropolis Coffee

Pay

• Base Salary: $80,000 USD

Schedule

• Flexible, field-based work environment