Director, Business Development & ADR Services

American Arbitration Association; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 97,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Student loan repayment program

403(b) with company match

Discounted pet insurance

Generous paid time off

Job summary

American Arbitration Association (AAA) seeks a Director of Business Development and ADR Services to drive growth in dispute resolution offerings. The role focuses on expanding the ADR services business, building strategic client relationships, and presenting AAA’s value to potential clients.

The position offers a hybrid work model with a Chicago-area focus, a competitive benefits package, and eligibility for an annual incentive based on performance. Occasional travel is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in business, legal, or related discipline; 3–5 years in a business development role, preferably in Legal Services.
• Proven track record of identifying, pursuing and closing new business opportunities.
• Adept at building and managing client relationships.
• Strategic thinker with strong sales and negotiation abilities.
• Strong presentation and communications skills (written and verbal).
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to travel periodically (20%).

Responsibilities

• Serves as primary case management contact with parties and mediators on assigned cases; makes decisions on case issues.
• Proactively identifies and pursues opportunities to grow the ADR services business.
• Develops strategic plans and pitches to potential clients.
• Builds and maintains relationships with clients, prospects, and industry partners.
• Develops and delivers engaging presentations to stakeholder groups.
• Manages assigned cases and uses case management system for records.
• Advises arbitrators on procedural hearing management and related issues.
• Analyses needs and trends of users and service quality from the database.

Skills

Business development

Sales

Client relationships

Negotiation

Presentations

Communication

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, legal, or related discipline

Tools

Word

Excel

Outlook

PowerPoint

Job description

Pay Range

Chicago, IL: $97,000 - $110,000

Summary

We are actively recruiting for a Director of Business Development and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Services to drive business development, promote dispute resolution services, and manage the administration of arbitration and mediation cases. The ideal candidate will be able to apply their passion for growing the business to the ADR field, and the ability to represent the AAA as a polished and persuasive speaker.

Work Environment

This position offers a hybrid work arrangement; candidates must reside in a U.S. location within 125 miles of our Chicago Regional Office. This position is also eligible for an annual performance-based incentive. Our competitive compensation package includes medical, dental, orthodontia, and vision coverage, a student loan repayment program, a 403(b) retirement plan with substantial company match, discounted pet insurance, and generous paid time off.

• Medical, dental, orthodontia, and vision coverage
• Student loan repayment program
• 403(b) retirement plan with substantial company match
• Discounted pet insurance
• Generous paid time off

Responsibilities

• Serves as primary case management contact with parties and mediators on assigned cases; makes decisions on case issues in consultation with the Regional VP.
• Proactively identifies and pursues opportunities to grow the organization's ADR services business.
• Develops strategic plans and pitches to potential clients.
• Plays a vital role in the regional legal, business and ADR communities, focusing on being a resource to facilitate dispute resolution and promote the use of AAA's ADR services.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with clients, prospects, and industry partners.
• Develops and delivers engaging presentations to various stakeholder groups, effectively communicating the organization's value proposition.
• Manages assigned cases and ensures information is entered and maintained in case management system; makes case-related decisions by applying knowledge of rules and procedures and exercising independent judgment and discretion.
• Advises arbitrators on procedural hearing management and related issues.
• Analyzes needs, problems and trends of users as well as the quality of service delivered by pulling relevant metrics from the existing database; responds to inquiries regarding AAA's ADR services in a timely manner.
• Participates in hearings/conferences and provides feedback and recommendations where appropriate to the RVP in order to maintain or improve the quality and delivery of services.
• Helps recruit panel members consistent with AAA's Qualification Criteria for Admittance to the Roster of Arbitrators and Mediators; participates in review of panel members based on existing caseloads and needs.
• Reviews and tracks trends regarding the regional markets where we provide our services.
• Assists with arbitrator training programs, education programs/conferences and elections as necessary.
• Ensures confidentiality of case information and case records; adheres to the AAA's information security and data privacy policies, procedures, and practices.
• Demonstrates regular, reliable, and predictable job attendance.
• Attends on-site and in-person meetings and training sessions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, legal, or related discipline; 3-5 years of related work experience in a business development role, preferably in the Legal Services field; or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Proven track record of identifying, pursuing and closing new business opportunities.
• Adept at building and managing client relationships.
• Strategic thinker with strong sales and negotiation abilities.
• Strong presentation and communications skills (written and verbal).
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to travel periodically (20%) to clients, training events, and other AAA offices and conferences.

About Us

The American Arbitration Association (AAA), recognized among The NonProfit Times' 50 Best Nonprofits to Work For, offers a dynamic, fast-paced environment where excellence meets opportunity. Our organization leads arbitration and mediation across diverse industries, providing professionals with unique exposure to multiple business sectors and conflict resolution practices. We foster growth through collaboration with experienced legal professionals and invest in our team through comprehensive professional development programs. At the AAA, we combine challenging work with meaningful recognition in an environment where merit drives success and learning never stops. The American Arbitration Association is an equal opportunity employer (EEO) and we value diversity in our workplace. We consider all employees and applicants for positions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The American Arbitration Association (AAA) and its global division, the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), are global leaders in arbitration, mediation, and online dispute resolution. For over a century, we have helped resolve complex disputes with fairness, efficiency, and integrity — earning the trust of businesses, organizations, and individuals worldwide. Today, we are transforming how disputes are resolved. As a digital-first, solutions-driven organization, we are integrating advanced technology, data, and AI-enabled tools to improve speed, accessibility, and the overall user experience. Our culture is grounded in purpose, innovation, and continuous improvement. We are proud to be recognized as a best-in-class employer, offering meaningful careers where employees can grow, collaborate, and make a measurable impact. Our comprehensive benefits include health coverage, a 403(b) with strong employer contributions, student loan assistance, and generous paid time off — supporting both professional success and personal well-being.

• Health coverage
• 403(b) with strong employer contributions
• Student loan assistance
• Generous paid time off