Manager, Business Development

We. Communications; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

HSA with company match

PTO and holidays

Parental Leave

Disability insurance

401(k) with company match

Wellness program

Home office support

Job summary

We. is seeking a Manager, Business Development to partner with our team in sourcing leads, researching opportunities, and qualifying inbound opportunities across the Consumer, Healthcare and Technology sectors. The role will lead prioritized RFPs/pitches and will leverage a suite of sales tracking tools, with remote work in other U.S.

locations. Responsibilities include managing the sales cycle from qualification to RFI/RFP development and pitch creation, providing strategic sales counsel, and

Qualifications

• 5-8 years communications industry experience required.
• Strong demonstrated project management skills.
• Strong presentation and consulting skills along with the ability to read, write and speak English

Responsibilities

• In partnership with We.’s Business Development leadership, manage incoming new business opportunities including qualifying opportunities against the agency’s criteria.
• In addition to managing inbound opportunities, work with BD team members and sector leads on organic growth strategies and proactive pursuits by applying business development strategy, agency positioning and pursuit lifecycle management across multiple sectors and markets.
• Provide strategic sales counsel to internal clients and partner to lead or facilitate all aspects of progressing qualified opportunities through to completion, ensuring high quality deliverables and client satisfaction.
• Manage active prospects - through every stage of the sales cycle from initial qualification to RFI/RFP development to pitch presentation creation, follow up and supporting the team on the close - by setting priorities and expectations, problem solving, communicating ongoing status updates to the team and ensuring follow up is taking place along agreed upon timelines, while anticipating risks, addressing gaps and adapting approaches to meet pursuit goals.
• Partner with BD senior leaders to manage and coach pitch teams to finalize presentation content and ensure each member of the team is ‘room ready’ to deliver with poise, presence and confidence.
• Proactively recommend processes and materials that would benefit the agency and that don’t already exist as part of the Business Development infrastructure.

Skills

Project management

Business development

Presentation skills

English proficiency

Communication skills

Job description

• Strong demonstrated project management skills.

About Us

At We., we've spent decades at the intersection of technology and humanity, bridging the gap between what businesses create and how people experience those creations. We've learned that beneath even the most unruly situations — whether it's a global crisis, an emerging technology, or a sweeping organizational change—lies a simple human need. That need could be for trust, connection, safety, or a sense of purpose. But it’s always there. And it is only by uncovering these truths that we can make real, meaningful progress.

For the Manager, Business Development role, we are prioritizing candidates based in one of our office locations (Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Francisco, CA; New York, NY) but will also consider highly qualified candidates for fully remote work in other U.S. locations.

About The Role

The Manager, Business Development will partner with other Business Development professionals in sourcing leads, doing research, and qualifying incoming opportunities. The role will lead prioritized RFPs/pitches and will leverage a suite of sales tracking and reporting tools in the areas of Consumer, Healthcare, and Technology sectors.

Responsibilities

• In partnership with We.’s Business Development leadership, manage incoming new business opportunities including qualifying opportunities against the agency’s criteria.
• In addition to managing inbound opportunities, work with BD team members and sector leads on organic growth strategies and proactive pursuits by applying business development strategy, agency positioning and pursuit lifecycle management across multiple sectors and markets.
• Provide strategic sales counsel to internal clients and partner to lead or facilitate all aspects of progressing qualified opportunities through to completion, ensuring high quality deliverables and client satisfaction.
• Manage active prospects - through every stage of the sales cycle from initial qualification to RFI/RFP development to pitch presentation creation, follow up and supporting the team on the close - by setting priorities and expectations, problem solving, communicating ongoing status updates to the team and ensuring follow up is taking place along agreed upon timelines, while anticipating risks, addressing gaps and adapting approaches to meet pursuit goals.
• Partner with BD senior leaders to manage and coach pitch teams to finalize presentation content and ensure each member of the team is ‘room ready’ to deliver with poise, presence and confidence.
• Proactively recommend processes and materials that would benefit the agency and that don’t already exist as part of the Business Development infrastructure.

Qualifications

• 5-8 years communications industry experience required. Previous experience in business development a plus.
• Strong demonstrated project management skills.
• Strong presentation and consulting skills along with the ability to read, write and speak English

Preferred Qualifications

• PR or marketing experience preferred – ideally in an agency setting.
• Strong customer service orientation, including ability and willingness to pitch in on all aspects of the business process.
• Strong self-starter spirit; ability to respond to shifting priorities and work under deadlines in a fast-paced environment with ease and a sense of humor.
• A proven ability to communicate and collaborate across multiple teams and across all levels of the organization.

Compensation

The base annual salary range for this role, applicable across all U.S. locations, is outlined below. The actual salary may vary based on several factors such as business requirements, job responsibilities, skills, experience, and geographical location.

Salary Range: $100,000 USD - $130,000 USD

Benefits

As part of our commitment to the success and well-being of our team, regular employees working 20 hours or more per week are eligible for the following benefits:

• Comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Pretax accounts including HSA (company match), Medical & Dependent Care FSA
• Generous time off including PTO, Holidays, Annual Wellness Break, Summer Fridays and Personal Days
• Short & Long-Term Disability, paid by company
• Parental Leave, up to 12 weeks for birthing and non-birthing parent
• Caregiver Leave, up to 2 weeks to help eligible family member with serious health condition
• Community Engagement, up to 24 hours
• Bi-annual Wellness Credits, up to $300 per year
• Support with home office equipment
• Monthly Technology Credit (to offset internet / phone costs)
• 401(k) Traditional and Roth options with company match
• Learning and Development Programs for our employees

Equal Opportunity

We. provides equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against an employee or applicant because of age, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, or other legally protected class status.

Diversity and Inclusion

We. values a diverse and inclusive workforce and is committed to creating a workplace where everyone thrives. We promote an atmosphere in which diversity of people and ideas are welcomed and valued. Diversity includes differences in race, religion, gender identity or expression, age, lifestyle, ethnic background and sexual orientation as well as differences in experiences and ideas.

North America non-remote employees are required to come into the office 3 days a week.