ArtVersion is a Chicago-based creative agency where strategy, design, and technology come together to solve complex business challenges. We work with organizations ranging from emerging startups to established enterprise brands, helping them strengthen their positioning, improve digital experiences, and create meaningful connections with their audiences.
We are looking for a Director of Business Development to help expand ArtVersion’s client relationships, identify new opportunities, and support the agency’s long-term growth. This role is ideal for someone who understands consultative sales, creative services, digital strategy, branding, UX/UI, and web design, and knows how to build trust with decision-makers.
This is not a transactional sales role. The right person will be able to listen carefully, understand business needs, identify where ArtVersion can bring value, and help guide prospective clients through the early stages of a strategic partnership.The Director of Business Development will play an important role in shaping new client relationships and helping ArtVersion grow with the right opportunities.
Responsibilities include:
Develop and manage a pipeline of qualified new business opportunities
Identify and pursue prospects aligned with ArtVersion’s services, including branding, UX/UI design, web design, web development, digital strategy, and creative campaigns
Build relationships with marketing leaders, brand managers, founders, executives, and enterprise decision-makers
Lead introductory calls, discovery conversations, and early-stage sales discussions
Work closely with agency leadership to qualify opportunities and shape the right approach for each prospect
Support proposal development, scopes of work, presentations, and follow-up communications
Maintain accurate CRM records, lead status, opportunity notes, and sales activity
Represent ArtVersion’s capabilities clearly, professionally, and confidently
Attend networking events, industry gatherings, and business development meetings when appropriate
Help identify partnership opportunities, referral channels, and strategic growth areas
Collaborate with internal strategy, design, and development teams to ensure a smooth transition from sales to project kickoff
5+ years of experience in business development, sales, partnerships, or account growth, preferably within a creative agency, digital agency, branding firm, web design company, or professional services environment
Strong understanding of consultative sales and relationship-based business development
Experience selling or supporting services related to branding, UX/UI, web design, digital strategy, marketing, or technology
Ability to communicate with senior-level decision-makers and understand their business challenges
Strong writing, presentation, and follow-up skills
Comfortable working with CRM systems, lead tracking, proposal workflows, and sales reporting
Self-driven, organized, and comfortable managing outreach and relationship development independently
Ability to understand client needs and connect them to strategic creative and digital solutions
Professional presence, strong listening skills, and a thoughtful approach to new business conversations
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or a related field preferred, but equivalent practical experience will be considered
Preferred experience includes a background in creative services, digital strategy, branding, UX/UI, web design, or professional services sales, with a strong understanding of how to build relationships across longer consultative sales cycles. Candidates with an existing network of marketing leaders, brand managers, founders, executives, or enterprise decision-makers will be especially well aligned with this role. Familiarity with agency workflows, proposal development, CRM systems, LinkedIn outreach, referral partnerships, and inbound lead qualification is also valuable, along with experience identifying opportunities…