Director of Business Development

ArtVersion Company; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance (ArtVersion covers 50

Vision Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

PTO Flexibility

Professional Development

Performance Bonus

Job summary

ArtVersion, a Chicago-based creative agency, seeks a Director of Business Development to expand client relationships and identify growth opportunities across branding, UX/UI, and digital strategy. You will lead discovery calls, qualify opportunities, and work with leadership to shape approaches for strategic partnerships, ensuring smooth transitions from sales to delivery.

This role requires 5+ years in business development, strong executive communication, and a consultative sales mindset, with

Qualifications

• 5+ years in business development or related sales roles.
• Experience selling creative services and digital strategies.
• Ability to engage senior decision-makers and build trust.
• Strong writing and presentation skills.
• Experience with CRM systems and sales analytics.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a pipeline of qualified opportunities.
• Identify prospects aligned with branding, UX/UI, and digital strategy.
• Build relationships with marketing leaders and executives.
• Lead discovery calls and early-stage sales conversations.
• Collaborate with leadership to shape approach for prospects.
• Support proposals, scopes, and presentations.
• Maintain CRM records and sales activity.
• Represent ArtVersion confidently to clients.
• Attend networking events to identify partnerships.
• Facilitate handoff to project teams.
• Explore referral channels and strategic growth areas.

Skills

Consultative selling

Relationship building

Lead qualification

Prospecting

Executive communication

CRM proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or related field

Tools

CRM systems

WordPress

Analytics

SEO

LinkedIn outreach tools

Job description

ArtVersion is a Chicago-based creative agency where strategy, design, and technology come together to solve complex business challenges. We work with organizations ranging from emerging startups to established enterprise brands, helping them strengthen their positioning, improve digital experiences, and create meaningful connections with their audiences.

We are looking for a Director of Business Development to help expand ArtVersion’s client relationships, identify new opportunities, and support the agency’s long‑term growth. This role is ideal for someone who understands consultative sales, creative services, digital strategy, branding, UX/UI, and web design, and knows how to build trust with decision‑makers.

This is not a transactional sales role. The right person will be able to listen carefully, understand business needs, identify where ArtVersion can bring value, and help guide prospective clients through the early stages of a strategic partnership.

The Director of Business Development will play an important role in shaping new client relationships and helping ArtVersion grow with the right opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a pipeline of qualified new business opportunities
• Identify and pursue prospects aligned with ArtVersion’s services, including branding, UX/UI design, web design, web development, digital strategy, and creative campaigns
• Build relationships with marketing leaders, brand managers, founders, executives, and enterprise decision‑makers
• Lead introductory calls, discovery conversations, and early‑stage sales discussions
• Work closely with agency leadership to qualify opportunities and shape the right approach for each prospect
• Support proposal development, scopes of work, presentations, and follow‑up communications
• Maintain accurate CRM records, lead status, opportunity notes, and sales activity
• Represent ArtVersion’s capabilities clearly, professionally, and confidently
• Attend networking events, industry gatherings, and business development meetings when appropriate
• Help identify partnership opportunities, referral channels, and strategic growth areas
• Collaborate with internal strategy, design, and development teams to ensure a smooth transition from sales to project kickoff

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in business development, sales, partnerships, or account growth, preferably within a creative agency, digital agency, branding firm, web design company, or professional services environment
• Strong understanding of consultative sales and relationship‑based business development
• Experience selling or supporting services related to branding, UX/UI, web design, digital strategy, marketing, or technology
• Ability to communicate with senior‑level decision‑makers and understand their business challenges
• Strong writing, presentation, and follow‑up skills
• Comfortable working with CRM systems, lead tracking, proposal workflows, and sales reporting
• Self‑driven, organized, and comfortable managing outreach and relationship development independently
• Ability to understand client needs and connect them to strategic creative and digital solutions
• Professional presence, strong listening skills, and a thoughtful approach to new business conversations
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or a related field preferred, but equivalent practical experience will be considered

Preferred Experience

• Existing network in marketing, branding, real estate, professional services, healthcare, technology, nonprofit, manufacturing, or enterprise sectors
• Experience working with B2B clients or complex sales cycles
• Familiarity with WordPress, enterprise websites, digital transformation, accessibility, analytics, SEO, or content strategy
• Experience with LinkedIn outreach, referral development, inbound lead qualification, and strategic partnership building

Benefits

• Health Insurance: ArtVersion contributes 50% toward employee health insurance coverage.
• Vision Insurance: ArtVersion contributes 50% toward vision insurance for eligible employees.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: Safe Harbor 401(k) with an employer match of up to 4%, with eligibility after three months of service and immediate vesting.
• Paid Time Off: PTO is provided for vacation, personal time, illness, medical appointments, and other personal needs, with additional time based on years of service.
• Paid Holidays: ArtVersion observes 5–8 paid holidays each year.
• PTO Flexibility: Employees may borrow up to 16 hours of PTO with prior approval.
• Professional Development: Ongoing feedback, collaboration, and opportunities to grow within your role.
• Performance Bonus: Available for this position based on performance and company objectives.