Development Manager Jobs in Illinois
Development Manager jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, concentrated in software and technology, nonprofit and philanthropic services, real estate development, and healthcare systems, with openings from project lead through senior director. Chicago anchors the market, with additional hiring clusters in Naperville and Rockford, where employers like Salesforce, Advocate Health Care, and the University of Illinois system maintain significant development operations. The most sought-after specializations include software development management, fundraising and donor relations development, and product-aligned engineering leadership. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Do you want to be part of an inclusive team that works to develop innovative therapies for patients? Every day, we are driven to develop and deliver innovative and effective new medicines to patients and physicians. If you want to be part of this exciting work, you belong at Astellas!
Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are committed to turning innovative science into medical solutions that bring value and hope to patients and their families. Keeping our focus on addressing unmet medical needs and conducting our business with ethics and integrity enables us to improve the health of people throughout the world. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.com .
This position is field based in the Mississippi Delta. Remote work from certain states may be permitted in accordance with Astellas’ Responsible Flexibility Guidelines. Candidates interested in hybrid work are encouraged to apply.
Purpose:
The Market Development Manager (MDM) will serve as the primary lead for interactions with key thought leaders and influencers in Retina, Comprehensive Ophthalmology, and Optometry. MDM will collaborate closely with these key customers to build advocacy for the treatment of GA and for Izervay. They will collaborate effectively with the Sales, Field Medical, Field Reimbursement, and Marketing teams to support peer-to-peer education efforts, share customer insights and provide customer feedback that can be used to shape brand strategy and drive adoption. In addition, they will lead the planning for customer engagements with key company personnel as needed and build a plan for customer interactions at key congresses and meetings throughout the year.
Essential Job Responsibilities:
- Create and execute a plan of action to increase advocacy with key thought leaders and influencers in Retina, Comprehensive Ophthalmology, and Optometry for the treatment of GA and for Izervay.
- Represent the company in customer engagements and ophthalmology conferences, demonstrating in-depth knowledge of customer needs and how our product and programs can support their patients.
- Collect and share customer insights and provide customer feedback that can be used to matrix team and brand strategy.
- Demonstrate strong disease state and product based clinical acumen in interactions with businesses in Retina, Comprehensive Ophthalmology and Optometry.
- Collaborate closely with Sales, Field Medical, and Field Reimbursement to develop strategic plans to strengthen relationships with national and regional key thought leaders.
- Facilitate collaboration and insight sharing with the aligned Sales, Field Medical and Reimbursement teams to maximize opportunities with shared customers and accounts.
- Support the Marketing team in identifying and training thought leaders for the speaker’s bureau and facilitating the execution of peer-to-peer education efforts.
- Establish connections with the leadership of regional retina, ophthalmic and optometric societies, to keep a pulse on their organization and opportunities for Iveric Bio partnership.
- Maintain highest integrity by ensuring compliance with all regulations and policies.
Qualifications Required:
- Bachelor’s Degree in science or business-related discipline.
- 8+ years of experience within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries.
- Strong clinical acumen with specialty pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical experience.
- Broad range of leadership competencies and ability to work in cross-functional role.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and organizational skills.
- Ability to travel extensively within the U.S.
Preferred:
- Prior first- or second-line team leadership experience.
- Prior experience working in Ophthalmology marketing, operations, or patient services.
- Experience in buy-and-bill environments. Direct experience with customers in the Retina, Comprehensive Ophthalmology or Optometry customer segments, ideally with a strong base of existing thought leader relationships.
Working Environment:
This position is a field-based role and will require regular travel within the defined geography and may require travel throughout the US.Compensation Range: $140,000 - $187,000 (NOTE: Final Salary could be more or less, based on experience
Flexible grade level based on candidate background and skillset
Benefits:
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation and Sick time, plus national holidays including year-end shut down
- 401(k) match and annual company contribution
- Company paid life insurance
- Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions
- Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions Referral bonus program
#LI-SS
See All 174+ Development Manager Jobs in Illinois
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Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Development Manager Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Accounting & Auditing
- Manufacturing
- Technology & Software
- Transportation & Logistics
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in development manager jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in business, computer science, engineering, or a related field required
- Proven experience leading cross-functional development or engineering teams in a professional setting
- Proficiency with project management methodologies such as Agile, Scrum, or Waterfall
- Strong familiarity with Illinois-based industry platforms, including healthcare systems or enterprise SaaS environments
- Demonstrated ability to manage project budgets, timelines, and stakeholder communications simultaneously
- Experience recruiting, mentoring, and retaining technical or programmatic staff within a team structure
Development Manager Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a development manager in Illinois?
Most development manager roles in Illinois require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as computer science, business administration, or a related discipline, often paired with several years of team leadership experience. Illinois does not mandate a state-issued license specifically for development managers, but pursuing credentials like the Project Management Professional certification strengthens applications considerably. Employers in Chicago and the broader metro expect demonstrated experience managing delivery cycles, budgets, and cross-functional teams.
How much do development managers make in Illinois?
Development managers in Illinois earn a median of about $140,240 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $82,230 for the lowest 10% to over $235,260 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire development managers in Illinois?
Employers hiring development managers in Illinois right now include CVS Health, Logic, and Sigma, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters, large nonprofit networks, and enterprise technology firms means that consistent openings exist across both corporate and mission-driven organizations throughout the state.
Which Illinois cities have the most development manager jobs?
Chicago, Illinois, and Schaumburg have the most development manager openings in Illinois. Chicago drives the bulk of listings given its density of corporate headquarters, major hospital systems, and technology companies, while Naperville and Rockford contribute steady demand through regional employer campuses and manufacturing-adjacent software operations that have expanded significantly in recent years.
Are there remote development manager jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 72% of development manager openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the desk-based and coordination-heavy nature of the work. Strategic planning, roadmap oversight, and stakeholder communication are the parts of the role most commonly handled fully remotely, while sprint reviews and team evaluations often draw hybrid schedules.
How can I get hired as a development manager in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into a development manager role from an adjacent position such as software engineer, program coordinator, or project analyst, where you already demonstrate leadership on deliverables. Large Illinois employers like Advocate Health Care and University of Chicago Medicine run structured rotational and associate programs that bridge experienced individual contributors into management tracks. Building a portfolio of project outcomes, earning a Project Management Professional or Certified ScrumMaster credential, and targeting team lead or associate development manager postings gives candidates with limited formal management experience a meaningful edge.
Where can I find and apply to development manager jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to development manager jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings from employers across the state. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly without needing to go through additional platforms or sign up for alerts elsewhere.
See All 174+ Development Manager Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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