Managing Director Jobs in Illinois
Managing Director jobs in Illinois are actively in demand, with the strongest concentration in financial services, professional services, healthcare administration, and commercial real estate, covering the full range from senior director to executive managing director. Chicago anchors the market and draws the largest share of openings, with additional activity in Naperville and Schaumburg, where corporate headquarters are well established. Employers with a consistent Illinois presence include JPMorgan Chase, Deloitte, and Aon, with the most sought-after specialties in investment management, consulting, and operations leadership. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Location:
1301 Avenue of the Americas, New York New York
Job Summary
KeyBanc Capital Markets is a leading corporate and investment bank offering capital markets and advisory solutions across a range of dynamic industries. The Managing Director, Food & Beverage Investment Banking, will be responsible for originating, developing, and managing senior-level relationships with public and private Food & Beverage companies, sponsors, and industry participants. The role will lead the sourcing, pitching, execution, and closing of M&A transactions, capital raises, and strategic advisory engagements while serving as a trusted advisor to clients across the Food & Beverage sector.
This position requires deep industry expertise, strong client management skills, demonstrated business development success, and the ability to execute complex transactions including sell-side and buy-side M&A, corporate divestitures, equity and debt capital raises, restructuring assignments, and fairness opinions.
Essential Functions
- Generate revenue through the origination, execution, and closing of M&A and strategic advisory transactions within the Food & Beverage sector.
- Develop and maintain trusted advisor relationships with senior executives, boards of directors, founders, family-owned businesses, and private equity sponsors active in the Food & Beverage industry.
- Lead sector coverage efforts and identify opportunities across Food & Beverage subsectors including packaged foods, beverages, ingredients, consumer products, food distribution, restaurants, agribusiness, specialty foods, and health and wellness brands.
- Build new client relationships through thoughtful and targeted business development activities, leveraging industry knowledge, market insights, and sector connectivity.
- Develop and execute strategic coverage plans to expand KeyBanc Capital Markets' presence and wallet share across Food & Beverage corporate and sponsor clients.
- Partner with debt capital markets, equity capital markets, syndications, corporate banking, derivatives, treasury solutions, and other product partners to deliver comprehensive solutions to clients.
- Lead deal teams through all phases of transaction execution, including marketing, valuation, due diligence, negotiation, structuring, and closing.
- Maintain a strong understanding of industry trends, consumer behavior, commodity and supply chain dynamics, regulatory developments, and competitive positioning within the Food & Beverage sector.
- Mentor and develop junior and mid-level investment bankers, providing technical guidance, industry expertise, and career development support.
- Work collaboratively with team members to identify cross-sell opportunities and promote other lines of business through referrals and client engagement.
- Represent KeyBanc Capital Markets at industry conferences, trade associations, and client events to enhance visibility and support business development initiatives.
- Perform other duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and/or activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
- Comply with all KeyBank policies and procedures, including acting professionally at all times, conducting business ethically, avoiding conflicts of interest, and acting in the best interests of Key's clients and Key.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Finance, Business, Economics, or a related field required, or equivalent work experience. MBA, CFA, or other advanced degree or certification preferred.
- Minimum of 12 years of investment banking, corporate finance, or capital markets experience. Demonstrated track record of originating and executing investment banking transactions within the Food & Beverage sector. Significant experience advising corporate clients, founders, family-owned businesses, and private equity firms on strategic transactions. Proven success developing senior-level client relationships and generating investment banking revenue. Strong understanding of Food & Beverage industry dynamics, trends, valuation drivers, and competitive landscape.
- FINRA Securities Industry Essentials (SIE), Series 79, and Series 63 required.
Skills
- Leadership: Ability to inspire, guide, and influence teams while fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
- Food & Beverage Industry Expertise: Deep understanding of Food & Beverage sector trends, business models, competitive dynamics, supply chains, consumer behavior, and valuation methodologies.
- Investment Banking: Providing strategic advisory services and capital-raising solutions, including mergers and acquisitions, underwriting, restructuring, and other corporate finance activities.
- Mergers & Acquisitions Expertise: Comprehensive knowledge of the M&A lifecycle, including target identification, valuation, due diligence, negotiation, deal structuring, and execution.
- Client Management: Building and maintaining strong, trust-based relationships with executive leadership teams, boards, founders, and private equity sponsors.
- Business Development: Identifying and pursuing new opportunities, client relationships, and strategic partnerships to expand market presence and revenue generation.
- Business Transactions: Leading and executing acquisitions, divestitures, recapitalizations, joint ventures, and other strategic transactions.
- Strategic Advisory: Providing industry-informed insights and recommendations regarding growth initiatives, portfolio optimization, shareholder value creation, and strategic alternatives.
- Customer Centricity: Prioritizing client objectives and delivering tailored solutions that address unique business and financial needs.
- Collaboration: Working effectively across coverage, product, and corporate banking teams to deliver comprehensive client solutions.
- Influencing Others: Persuading and motivating stakeholders through credibility, expertise, and effective communication.
- Negotiation: Driving successful outcomes through strategic negotiation and relationship management.
- Strong Risk Culture: Demonstrating sound judgment and proactive risk management while ensuring compliance with all regulatory and firm requirements.
Physical Demands
Prolonged sitting, ability to communicate face-to-face and via telephone or video conferencing with teammates and clients, frequent use of PC/laptop, and occasional lifting, pushing, or pulling of bags and equipment up to 40 pounds.
Travel Requirements
Significant travel required for client meetings, industry conferences, roadshows, business development activities, and Food & Beverage sector events.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
This position is eligible to earn a base salary in the range of $213,000.00 - $445,000.00 annually. Placement within the pay range may differ based upon various factors, including but not limited to skills, experience and geographic location. Compensation for this role also includes eligibility for incentive compensation which may include production, commission, and/or discretionary incentives.
Key has implemented an approach to employee workspaces which prioritizes in-office presence, while providing flexible options in circumstances where roles can be performed effectively in a mobile environment.
Job Posting Expiration Date: 10/30/2026
KeyCorp is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to sustaining an inclusive culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, pregnancy, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. Qualified individuals with disabilities or disabled veterans who are unable or limited in their ability to apply on this site may request reasonable accommodations by emailing HR_Compliance@keybank.com.
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See All 32 Managing Director Jobs in Illinois
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Find Managing Director JobsManaging Director Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Managing Director Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Accounting & Auditing
- Banking & Financial Services
- Technology & Software
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Retail
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in managing director jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, or a related field required
- Ten or more years of progressive leadership experience in a relevant industry
- Demonstrated ability to manage P&L responsibility and large cross-functional teams
- Experience with strategic planning, business development, and stakeholder engagement
- Strong background in Illinois-based regulated industries such as financial services or healthcare
- Advanced degree such as an MBA or equivalent executive education preferred
Managing Director Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a managing director in Illinois?
Most managing directors in Illinois reach the role through a combination of a business, finance, or industry-specific bachelor's degree and a sustained progression through mid-level management. An MBA from an Illinois institution such as the University of Chicago Booth School of Business or Northwestern Kellogg is a common accelerator. No state-issued license is required for the title itself, though managing directors in regulated sectors such as financial services, insurance, or healthcare may need Illinois-specific registrations or credentials relevant to their industry.
How much do managing directors make in Illinois?
Managing directors in Illinois earn a median of about $103,570 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $53,240 for the lowest 10% to over $269,320 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire managing directors in Illinois?
Employers hiring managing directors in Illinois right now include BDO, Baker Tilly Canada, and KeyBank, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Illinois's dense concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters, major financial institutions, and professional services firms in the Chicago area makes it one of the more consistent states for managing director openings year-round.
Which Illinois cities have the most managing director jobs?
Chicago, Dixon, and Glenview have the most managing director openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates because it is home to a high density of corporate headquarters, major financial institutions, and professional services firms, while Naperville and Schaumburg see consistent activity from the large suburban office campuses of companies that have relocated or expanded operations outside the city core.
Are there remote managing director jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely analytical roles because managing directors are typically expected to provide on-site leadership, manage teams directly, and represent the organization in client or stakeholder settings. About 46% of managing director openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting growing flexibility at senior levels. The parts of the role most compatible with remote work are strategic planning, financial oversight, and executive reporting functions.
How can I get hired as a managing director in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is to secure a director or senior manager role first and build toward managing director from there. Large Illinois employers such as Deloitte, Northern Trust, and United Airlines run structured leadership development programs that place high-potential candidates in roles designed to fast-track management progression. Entry points often come through associate director, business unit manager, or senior consultant positions. Holding an MBA from an Illinois business school, or earning a CFA or CPA credential relevant to your sector, gives candidates a meaningful edge when competing for that first step-up role.
Where can I find and apply to managing director jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to managing director jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across industries and hiring regions. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 32 Managing Director Jobs in Illinois
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