Commercial Specialist, Leadership Advisory Services Team

Egon Zehnder; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Egon Zehnder in the United States seeks a motivated SBA, Commercial Specialist to support Leadership Advisory services and drive growth across industries.

You will craft client materials, conduct market research, and manage workflows while collaborating with consultants and subject-matter experts to deliver high-impact human capital solutions. This role reports to the Leadership Advisory Pitching Manager.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years’ professional work experience (post-undergrad).
• Functional experience in B2B sales, pitching, qualitative/legal research or consulting.
• Experience managing multiple mandates simultaneously.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, client-driven environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and strong attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Provide creative pitch materials and outreach strategies for client teams.
• Create client documentation (pitch decks, scope of work/proposals, pricing, reports).
• Design self-service tools and templates to streamline pitch development.
• Lead and support business development by tracking market trends.
• Collaborate with consultants to build targeted event lists and knowledge assets.
• Coordinate with Leadership Advisory pitching and research teams on projects.

Skills

Strong communicator

Problem-solver

Multi-priority management

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Excellent verbal and written comms

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

PowerPoint

MS Office

Excel

SharePoint administration

Job description

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented SBA, Commercial Specialist to join our Expert team supporting the U.S. market. In this dynamic role, you will collaborate with our teams of consultants and subject matter experts to drive business development efforts and support the growth of Leadership Advisory relationships across industries. Key responsibilities include generating business development materials, conducting market research, managing project workflows, and maintaining knowledge assets. As a core member of the US Leadership Advisory pitching team, you will provide strategic insights and client engagement support to help deliver impactful human capital solutions.

The ideal candidate is a strong communicator and problem-solver with the ability to manage multiple priorities. This role reports primarily to the Leadership Advisory Pitching Manager, with additional reporting to both the Research Leader and Managing Partner for Leadership Advisory Services in the U.S.

Leadership Advisory Services Team Summary

The Leadership Advisory community works closely with some of the world’s most respected boards, C-suites, and individual executives globally and maintains close ties within multiple industries and geographies. As a trusted adviser to top executives, the Practice assists clients across sectors and functions to assess, develop, and transform the most prominent teams and individuals within organizations. The Commercial Specialist should bring relevant experience—or a strong interest—in engaging with senior executives and supporting business development at the highest levels. This includes creating materials, tools, and processes that enable consultants to expand and deepen client relationships through Leadership Advisory Services. Success in this role requires a collaborative mindset and a proactive approach to sharing ideas, asking questions, and contributing to a culture of continuous improvement.

What You'll Do

Business Development

• Provide creative pitch materials and outreach strategies to client facing teams with a consistent focus on quality and speed
• Create high-quality client documentation (e.g., pitch decks, scope of work/letter of proposal documents, pricing strategies, sample reports, etc.)
• Design and implement self-service tools and resources to streamline pitch development and execution, including standardized templates, pricing models, and customized materials.
• Lead and support business development initiatives by proactively tracking market trends, company developments, and executive movements to inform strategic outreach.
• Act as a partner with consultants to build targeted event lists for business development-related dinners, conferences, and other points of connection

Research & Project Planning

• Build strong relationships and collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Serve as the Pre-Project (pitches & business development) Expert for multiple simultaneous projects in collaboration with Consultants and other members of the Research team
• Work with the market analyst to identify priority targets through market research, leveraging various data sources, and developing tailored, scalable business development solutions.
• Identify, calibrate and prioritize potential business development materials and solutions through a thorough research process, the internal Firm network and external resources
• Identify priority targets through market research, leveraging various data sources, and developing tailored, scalable business development solutions.
• Work broadly across different Firm offerings to continue developing a well-rounded understanding of our solutions to identify the best solutions for individual client needs

Knowledge Management

• Support global knowledge management by sharing expertise, capturing best practices, and building a strong internal network within key segments or functions.
• Maintain and grow the US LAS community’s regional Knowledge Base by sharing bespoke work product, generating new standard materials, and categorizing submitted materials.
• Develop an area of subject matter expertise, providing strategic guidance and high-quality insights on important trends and topics to support client teams

What We’re Looking For

Qualifications

• A minimum of 3 years’ professional work experience (post-undergrad)
• Demonstrated functional experience of a similar nature (e.g., B2B sales, pitching, qualitative or legal research, professional services/consulting, project planning)
• Previous project-based experience working effectively on multiple mandates simultaneously
• Ability to effectively operate in a fast-paced, client-driven environment
• Exceptional critical thinking and analytical skills
• Proficient in MS Office, specifically PowerPoint
• Excellent verbal and written communication ability
• Demonstrates strong attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications

• Affinity and interest in the leadership advisory and/or professional services
• Superior engagement management abilities and initiative to lead projects with minimal guidance or supervision
• Exposure to user-centered design and basic graphic design principles, including an understanding of how design can improve communication, usability, and audience engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to push back constructively and offer solutions
• Forward-thinking, structured, and process-oriented thinker
• Proficient in Excel, Sharepoint administration
• Certified in Knowledge Management and/or Project Management
• Self-starter mentality with good business judgement

The compensation range for this role is $85,000-$95,000.

About Egon Zehnder

Egon Zehnder is the world’s preeminent leadership advisory firm, inspiring leaders to navigate complex questions with human answers. We help organizations get to the heart of their leadership challenges and offer honest feedback and insights to help leaders realize their true being and purpose.

We are built on a foundation that supports partnership in the truest sense of the word and aligns our interests with the interests of our clients. Our 560 consultants across 64 offices and 36 countries are former industry and functional leaders who collaborate seamlessly across geographies, industries and functions to deliver the full power of the Firm to every client, every time.

We partner closely with public and private corporations, family-owned enterprises, and non-profit and government agencies to provide executive search, leadership solutions, CEO search and succession, and board advisory.

We believe that together we can transform people, organizations and the world through leadership.