Associate Partner, Strategic Growth

VSA Partners; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a dynamic Associate Partner for Strategic Growth. This role champions outbound growth, leading business development efforts while fostering meaningful client relationships. The ideal candidate thrives on strategic selling, embraces a growth mindset, and excels in collaboration. With a commitment to creating impactful solutions, you will connect clients with innovative strategies. If you are passionate about driving growth and building partnerships in a fast-paced environment, this opportunity is perfect for you. Join a team that values creativity and collaboration, and help shape the future of client engagement.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in marketing, branding, or business development with a growth track record.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing client relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead business development efforts and convert new opportunities.
• Collaborate with teams to develop high-value client engagements.

Skills

Business Development

Marketing Strategy

Relationship Building

Cross-functional Team Leadership

Consultative Selling

Lead Nurturing

Growth Mindset

Job description

VSA’s purpose is to design for a better human experience.

As a strategy and design agency, we blend consumer insights and data with human-centered design to activate meaningful, motivating and measurable experiences in an increasingly noisy world. With offices in Chicago, New York, and San Francisco, VSA offers a full range of fully integrated capabilities—branding, advertising, data science, and technology—all under one roof. VSA is also a proud member of Meet The People, an international family of unified and independent agencies. For more than 40 years, we have delivered solutions for business and creative leaders at some of the world’s most respected brands and forward-thinking organizations, including Google, Nike, and IBM.

Chicago, IL - In Office/Hybrid

Associate Partner, Strategic Growth

Growth is a team sport. And you’re the quarterback. This role really is about being a decisive leader—someone who knows how to motivate, coordinate, and rally a team to shared success.

At VSA, we don’t just chase opportunities—we create them. As an independent, design-driven consultancy, we thrive on enduring client relationships, referrals, and a track record of high-conversion wins. We need a high-energy, strategic thinker who embraces the thrill of the hunt and knows how to connect clients with the right solutions.

What You’ll Do

• Lead Outbound Growth – Spearhead VSA’s business development efforts, identifying, cultivating, and converting new opportunities.
• Shape the Right Opportunities – Collaborate with senior leadership, strategy, and creative teams to target, develop, and land high-value engagements.
• Sell with Insight – Use a consultative, strategic approach to uncover client challenges and position VSA as the solution.
• Build Meaningful Relationships – Grow a network of decision-makers, industry leaders, and prospective clients who turn to VSA as a trusted partner.
• Drive Execution – Adapt seamlessly between crafting the perfect pitch and directing a team to bring a vision to life.
• Champion the VSA Difference – Leverage our design heritage, independent spirit, and legacy of impact to open doors and win business.

You’re the Perfect Candidate If…

• You have 10+ years of experience in marketing, branding, business development, or a sales-related field with a proven track record of driving growth and revenue.
• You have led cross-functional teams supporting multi-disciplinary teams across account management and business development.
• You understand lead nurturing & funnel management and can attract potential clients while moving them efficiently from awareness to conversion.
• You have a growth mindset and a proven track record in strategic selling and relationship-building.
• You view listening as a secret weapon—knowing when to steer, when to challenge, and when to close.
• You love the puzzle of business development—figuring out where to play and how to win.
• You are enduringly optimistic and see possibilities where others see obstacles.
• You’re a doer—equally capable of crafting a pitch or directing a team to build it.
• You don’t just tolerate change—you thrive in it, shaping and building as you go.
• You genuinely love the matchmaking challenge of connecting clients and agencies.
• You believe that there are no boring clients—just untapped potential.
• You embrace goals and accountability—and know how to rally a team to meet them.
• You’re a builder at heart—you thrive when you are collaborating with a team or client, building on ideas together.

Still with us? Good. Let’s talk.

Chicago Estimated Salary Range:

$160,000 - $240,000 USD

VSA Partners is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive, equitable environment for all employees. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business need.