Business Development Manager

About the job: Business Development Manager

World Business Chicago is a public-private, non-profit partnership that drives inclusive economic growth and job creation, supports business, and promotes Chicago as a leading global city. 

Position Summary

The Business Development Manager is a full-time position that reports to the Senior Vice President of Business Development. The role embodies a wide variety of work, including creation and implementation of economic development and sector focused strategy, and serves a key role with company attraction and retention, in support of our mission. The responsibility of the Business Development Manager will include a focus within the Creative Economy including film, arts, eSports, and other subsectors adjacent to this space that will result in new investment and jobs in Chicago.

 Responsibilities

• Lead strategic direction for World Business Chicago’s business development operations related to Creative Economies, in partnership with key stakeholders
• Develop a marketing and outreach plan for Creative Economies based on data and information collected by the World Business Chicago Research Center

• Provide concierge service to companies in the Creative Economies to support their relationship and interest with Chicago

• Develop strategy to convene industry stakeholders and lead on event planning and implementation.
• Participate in community engagement efforts, placemaking, and assist with special projects;

• Maintain relationships with key economic development stakeholders in the Chicago area
• Proactively attend conferences and build relationships with key CEOs to attract and support investment opportunities in Chicago
• Develop opportunities to engage and Creative Economy companies to promote their investment and jobs into Chicago
• Promote Chicago as the ideal location for corporate expansion needs (for instance by initiating and speaking at business seminars, participating in networking events, etc.)
• Work collaboratively with the City of Chicago, State of Illinois, other stakeholders, and fellow staff to develop, implement, and improve targeted industry marketing and outreach efforts
• Complete regularly required status reports and maintaining project tracking databases
• Conduct other related tasks and assignments not specified above

Desired Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Client-focused
• Proactive and highly responsive
• Results and goal-oriented
• Strong project management skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Presentation skills
• Team player with strong work ethic
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Familiarity with Salesforce software a plus

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in economic development, strategic partnerships, business development, public administration, marketing, or a related field preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, urban planning, public policy or related field, or the equivalent work-related experience in a related field

Requirements

• Willingness to work in a hybrid work environment, with an expectation of at least 3 days spent in office/in field per week
• Willingness to work occasional workday evenings as project and strategic opportunities arise.
• Full COVID-19 vaccination is required by the first day of work unless there is an exemption due to medical or religious reasons

If interested, please submit your cover letter and resume to HR@worldbusinesschicago.com