Regional Business Development Manager

Room & Board; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 135,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Annual bonus potential

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Room & Board is seeking a Regional Business Development Manager - Commercial Interiors to grow our Central region by building relationships with architecture and design firms, purchasing partners, FF&E dealers, developers, hospitality professionals, and other decision-makers. Based in Chicago, this role focuses on non-commissioned growth with autonomy to own the region, supported by a national team.

Expect about 20% travel to key markets and events as you shape meaningful customer solutions and

Qualifications

• 5+ years of successful B2B business development or sales experience in commercial furniture, architecture and design, contract interiors, or related industry experience strongly preferred.
• A strong network within the commercial design industry, including relationships with A&D firms, purchasing agents, FF&E dealers, and other key decision-makers.
• Demonstrated success developing new business, building a strong pipeline, growing long-term customer relationships, and achieving sales goals.
• Strong knowledge of the commercial furniture or related industry and the ability to understand customer and project needs. Experience with specification-based selling is a plus.
• Strong networking, presentation, communication, and relationship-building skills with the ability to articulate value and influence decision-makers.
• Demonstrated ability to leverage CRM platforms, SAP, Microsoft Office Suite, and other business technologies to effectively manage sales opportunities, monitor performance, strengthen customer relationships, and support data-driven decision making.
• An entrepreneurial, positive, and resilient approach, with the confidence to own the Midwest/Central regions to create opportunities, adapt when needed, and work autonomously while staying connected to a collaborative team.
• Enthusiasm for a non-commissioned, employee-owned environment where relationships, knowledge, and success are shared.
• Ability to provide proof of identity and legal work authorization upon hire.

Responsibilities

• Grow the regional business by developing new opportunities and a strong pipeline to drive approximately $2M to $3M in annual sales.
• Build meaningful industry relationships with architecture and design firms, purchasing partners, FF&E dealers, developers, hospitality professionals, and other commercial decision-makers.
• Represent Room & Board to bring the brand to the market through networking, industry events, design firm presentations, client meetings, store-hosted experiences, and collaborative outreach.
• Create thoughtful customer solutions by understanding each customer's business and project needs and communicating Room & Board's value.
• Grow strategic partnerships and expand National Key Account relationships while collaborating with regional business development partners across the country.
• Help shape future Room & Board for Business strategies using customer, competitor, and industry insights.

Skills

CRM platforms

Networking

Presentation

Relationship-building

Industry knowledge

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Grow Room & Board for Business Through Relationships, Industry Expertise, and Thoughtful Solutions.

At Room & Board, we believe great business starts with strong relationships. Through Room & Board for Business, we partner with organizations and design professionals to create thoughtful commercial spaces across workplace, hospitality, multifamily, and other environments.

As our Regional Business Development Manager - Commercial Interiors, you'll build on Room & Board's growing commercial presence across our Central region by creating new opportunities and strengthening relationships with architecture and design firms, purchasing partners, FF&E dealers, developers, hospitality professionals, and other key decision-makers. You'll bring your industry knowledge and relationships to grow the business, expand our regional presence, and represent Room & Board throughout the commercial design community.

You'll do it within a business model that's different from traditional sales. Room & Board is 90% employee-owned, and this is a non-commissioned business development role. Our regional business development team collaborates nationally, sharing relationships, expertise, and opportunities across markets. Success comes from understanding what matters to our customers, confidently communicating Room & Board's unique value, and building relationships for the long term rather than simply competing on price.

If you're an established commercial industry professional who is energized by opening doors, building lasting relationships, and creating new business, and you want the autonomy to own a region with the support of a collaborative national team, we'd love to meet you.

This role is part of our Room & Board for Business team and reports to the Director of Customer Experience.

Why Room & Board?

As a 90% employee-owned company, every eligible staff member shares in our success through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Ownership isn't just part of our benefits. It shapes how we work together. As employee owners, we think long term, support one another, and take pride in creating exceptional experiences for our customers and each other.

Here, you'll have the autonomy to own and grow your region while being part of a collaborative national team that shares knowledge, relationships, and opportunities across markets. Your perspective matters, your work has a direct impact, and you'll have an opportunity to help shape the continued growth of Room & Board for Business.

Work Location/Regional Scope:

This is a Chicago-based regional role supporting Room & Board for Business growth across the Central region, including key markets in Chicago, Minneapolis, Texas, Denver, and surrounding states. You'll build relationships with customers, industry partners, and design professionals through in-person meetings, site visits, presentations, networking opportunities, and industry events.

Approximately 20% local and national travel is expected, with the majority of travel and event participation focused within these key markets. Occasional participation in customer and industry events outside traditional business hours is also expected.

You’ll share your talents in the following ways as a Regional Business Development Manager - Commercial Interiors:

• Grow the regional business. Build on existing momentum by developing new business, managing a strong opportunity pipeline, and deepening relationships to drive approximately $2M to $3M in annual sales. Leverage CRM and business tools to manage opportunities, track progress, and focus your efforts where they can have the greatest impact.
• Build meaningful industry relationships. Cultivate relationships with architecture and design firms, purchasing partners, FF&E dealers, developers, hospitality organizations, and other commercial decision-makers, turning connections into long-term partnerships.
• Bring Room & Board to the market. Represent our brand through networking, industry events, design firm presentations, client meetings, store-hosted experiences, and collaborative outreach that strengthens our presence within the commercial design community.
• Create thoughtful customer solutions. Understand each customer's business and project needs and confidently communicate Room & Board's value. Develop compelling solutions and partner with Project Coordinators and retail teams to create a seamless experience from initial conversation through completed project.
• Grow strategic partnerships. Develop and expand National Key Account relationships while collaborating with regional business development partners across the country to share opportunities, expertise, and insights.
• Help shape what's next. Bring customer, competitor, and industry insights forward to identify growth opportunities and influence products, processes, tools, and future Room & Board for Business strategies.

Additionally, you'll bring the following experience and demonstrated skills as a Regional Business Development Manager - Commercial Interiors:

• 5+ years of successful B2B business development or sales experience, with commercial furniture, architecture and design, contract interiors, or related industry experience strongly preferred.
• A strong network within the commercial design industry, including relationships with A&D firms, purchasing agents, FF&E dealers, and other key decision-makers.
• Demonstrated success developing new business, building a strong pipeline, growing long-term customer relationships, and achieving sales goals.
• Strong knowledge of the commercial furniture or related industry and the ability to understand customer and project needs. Experience with specification-based selling and complex commercial projects is a plus.
• Strong networking, presentation, communication, and relationship-building skills with the ability to articulate value and influence decision-makers.
• Demonstrated ability to leverage CRM platforms, SAP, Microsoft Office Suite, and other business technologies to effectively manage sales opportunities, monitor performance, strengthen customer relationships, and support data-driven decision making.
• An entrepreneurial, positive, and resilient approach, with the confidence to own the Midwest/Central regions to create opportunities, adapt when needed, and work autonomously while staying connected to a collaborative team.
• Enthusiasm for a non-commissioned, employee-owned environment where relationships, knowledge, and success are shared.
• Ability to provide proof of identity and legal work authorization upon hire.

What you’ll find working here as a Regional Business Development Manager - Commercial Interiors:

• Salary: $135,000.00 - $155,000.00 / yr., plus an annual 10% bonus opportunity based on individual and company performance.
• Benefits that focus on holistic well-being. The whole person matters, not just the one who shows up for work. That’s why we invest in holistic well-being that supports and encourages you to live a full life. Besides a competitive paycheck, we offer benefits to help you thrive in every aspect of life. That includes three weeks of paid vacation, a generous 401(k) match, profit-sharing and more. As a 90% employee-owned company, staff members working 1,000 hours or more in a 12-month period are eligible to participate in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). This plan acts as an additional Retirement Savings Plan fully funded by Room & Board
• Meaningful work. We create a meaningful work experience by empowering everyone to contribute, taking pride in everything we do, and making the world sustainable, inclusive and beautiful.
• A culture of respect. We sustain a culture of respect by relying on our shared values, building supportive and kind teams, and ensuring all voices are heard and celebrated.

To view our benefits in detail and to learn more about our culture, please visit: https://www.roomandboard.com/careers

Application Deadline:

The position will remain open until filled; there is no specified deadline.

Room and Board is a modern furniture and home decor retailer committed to creating beautiful, well-made products while providing exceptional customer service. Our mission is to help people create homes they love through timeless designs, sustainable practices, and a focus on quality craftsmanship.