Responsibilities
- Set direction and drive execution
- Partner with studio and global leadership to clarify growth priorities, focus areas, and goals
- Translate strategy into a focused growth plan for the studio
- Maintain visibility into progress and adjust where needed
- 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
- Developing and landing new business
- Partner closely with design leaders to shape opportunities from first conversation through signed contract
- Help determine where to invest energy for the highest impact
- 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
- Build growth capability in the studio
- 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
Requirements
- 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
- Solve diverse, complex challenges for clients and their organizations
- Work alongside thoughtful, intelligent individuals who lead with curiosity, empathy, and humility
- Intentionally crafted moments to pause, create, and connect
- Encouragement to bring whole selves to work
- Respect for work-life balance
- Autonomy in the design process and career
Work Arrangement
Remote (City/Region) — Chicago
