Business Development Lead Jobs in Chicago, IL
Business Development Lead jobs in Chicago are in strong demand, concentrated in the Loop, River North, and the Fulton Market corridor across financial services, technology, and professional services. Employers actively hiring include AutoZone, Google, and Deloitte. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 311+ Business Development Lead jobs
NetSuite's Private Equity Practice partners with private equity firms to help accelerate value creation across their portfolio companies through modern cloud ERP, financial management, and business transformation solutions.
We are seeking a highly motivated Business Development Lead to expand NetSuite's presence within the private equity ecosystem. This role is responsible for identifying, engaging, and developing relationships with private equity firms where NetSuite does not currently have established partnerships. The ideal candidate is a proactive hunter who excels at executive outreach, relationship building, strategic research, and creating opportunities for senior partnership leaders.
This position sits at the intersection of private equity, technology, and business development and offers significant visibility across NetSuite leadership and strategic accounts.
New PE Firm Relationship Development
- Identify and prioritize private equity firms that represent high strategic value to NetSuite.
- Build and maintain target account lists of PE firms and key decision-makers.
- Conduct outbound prospecting through email, phone, LinkedIn, events, referrals, and industry networks.
- Secure introductory meetings with PE firm executives and Operating Partners.
- Develop multi-threaded relationships across operating partners, portfolio operations teams, technology leaders, and investment professionals.
Market Intelligence & Research
- Research PE firms, investment strategies, portfolio companies, fund activity, and value creation initiatives.
- Monitor market developments including acquisitions, exits, recapitalizations, and fundraising events.
- Identify portfolio companies that may benefit from NetSuite solutions and introduce opportunities to sales teams.
Partnership Pipeline Management
- Create and manage a robust pipeline of prospective PE firm relationships.
- Track engagement activity, meeting outcomes, and next steps within CRM systems.
- Collaborate closely with account executives, marketing, and sales leadership.
Event & Ecosystem Engagement
- Support NetSuite participation at PE conferences, networking events, and industry forums.
- Assist with event follow-up and relationship cultivation.
- Help drive executive engagement strategies for targeted PE accounts.
Required Qualifications
- 3-5+ years of business development, sales development, partnerships, or relationship management experience.
- Proven success in outbound prospecting and generating executive-level meetings.
- Strong communication, research, and relationship-building skills.
- Experience managing multiple stakeholders and complex account strategies.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently in a highly targeted, strategic prospecting environment.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience selling into or working with private equity firms, investment banks, consulting firms, or enterprise software organizations.
- Knowledge of the private equity ecosystem and value creation model.
- Familiarity with LinkedIn Sales Navigator, ZoomInfo, and modern prospecting tools.
- Experience supporting strategic partnerships or executive relationship programs.
- Understanding of ERP, financial systems, SaaS, or business transformation solutions.
Success Metrics
- Qualified PE firm meetings generated.
- New PE firm relationships established.
- PE partnership opportunities sourced.
- Portfolio company opportunities identified and referred to sales teams.
NetSuite's Private Equity Practice partners with private equity firms to help accelerate value creation across their portfolio companies through modern cloud ERP, financial management, and business transformation solutions.
We are seeking a highly motivated Business Development Lead to expand NetSuite's presence within the private equity ecosystem. This role is responsible for identifying, engaging, and developing relationships with private equity firms where NetSuite does not currently have established partnerships. The ideal candidate is a proactive hunter who excels at executive outreach, relationship building, strategic research, and creating opportunities for senior partnership leaders.
This position sits at the intersection of private equity, technology, and business development and offers significant visibility across NetSuite leadership and strategic accounts.
New PE Firm Relationship Development
- Identify and prioritize private equity firms that represent high strategic value to NetSuite.
- Build and maintain target account lists of PE firms and key decision-makers.
- Conduct outbound prospecting through email, phone, LinkedIn, events, referrals, and industry networks.
- Secure introductory meetings with PE firm executives and Operating Partners.
- Develop multi-threaded relationships across operating partners, portfolio operations teams, technology leaders, and investment professionals.
Market Intelligence & Research
- Research PE firms, investment strategies, portfolio companies, fund activity, and value creation initiatives.
- Monitor market developments including acquisitions, exits, recapitalizations, and fundraising events.
- Identify portfolio companies that may benefit from NetSuite solutions and introduce opportunities to sales teams.
Partnership Pipeline Management
- Create and manage a robust pipeline of prospective PE firm relationships.
- Track engagement activity, meeting outcomes, and next steps within CRM systems.
- Collaborate closely with account executives, marketing, and sales leadership.
Event & Ecosystem Engagement
- Support NetSuite participation at PE conferences, networking events, and industry forums.
- Assist with event follow-up and relationship cultivation.
- Help drive executive engagement strategies for targeted PE accounts.
Required Qualifications
- 3-5+ years of business development, sales development, partnerships, or relationship management experience.
- Proven success in outbound prospecting and generating executive-level meetings.
- Strong communication, research, and relationship-building skills.
- Experience managing multiple stakeholders and complex account strategies.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently in a highly targeted, strategic prospecting environment.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience selling into or working with private equity firms, investment banks, consulting firms, or enterprise software organizations.
- Knowledge of the private equity ecosystem and value creation model.
- Familiarity with LinkedIn Sales Navigator, ZoomInfo, and modern prospecting tools.
- Experience supporting strategic partnerships or executive relationship programs.
- Understanding of ERP, financial systems, SaaS, or business transformation solutions.
Success Metrics
- Qualified PE firm meetings generated.
- New PE firm relationships established.
- PE partnership opportunities sourced.
- Portfolio company opportunities identified and referred to sales teams.
See All 311+ Business Development Lead Jobs in Chicago
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Find JobsBusiness Development Lead Job Market in Chicago
Who's Hiring
- AutoZone15
- Google8
- Deloitte7
- Uber6
- Braze5
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software64
- Manufacturing22
- Consulting & Professional Services20
- Automotive15
- Accounting & Auditing12
Business Development Lead Jobs in Chicago: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a business development lead job in Chicago?
Focus your search on the Loop and River North, where financial services, SaaS, and professional services firms concentrate the most business development roles. Chicago rewards candidates who can demonstrate pipeline ownership and familiarity with enterprise or mid-market sales cycles. A background in fintech, logistics tech, or B2B services gives you a clear edge here, and direct outreach to hiring managers at Chicago-headquartered firms tends to move faster than applying through general boards.
Which companies hire business development leads in Chicago?
Companies currently hiring business development leads in Chicago include AutoZone, Google, and Deloitte, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. Chicago's mix of Fortune 500 headquarters, high-growth SaaS companies, and established financial institutions means demand comes from a wide range of employer sizes and sectors.
Are there remote business development lead jobs in Chicago?
Yes, though availability depends on the role: strategic and account-focused business development positions are more remote-compatible than those requiring in-person client entertainment or on-site team leadership. About 41% of business development lead openings tied to Chicago are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, with hybrid schedules most common. Outbound prospecting and pipeline management work are the functions most frequently done remotely in Chicago-based roles.
How can I get a business development lead job in Chicago with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Chicago is moving up from a business development representative or account executive role at a local SaaS, logistics, or financial services company. Chicago-area employers like mid-size B2B tech firms and professional services companies frequently promote from within and hire entry-level BDRs with a clear lead track. Building relationships through Chicago-area industry groups and startup communities in Fulton Market also opens doors that cold applications rarely do.
Which industries hire the most business development leads in Chicago?
Chicago business development lead roles concentrate in Technology & Software, Manufacturing, and Consulting & Professional Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. Chicago's position as a hub for financial services, enterprise technology, and logistics makes these sectors the steadiest sources of business development hiring in the city.
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