VP of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships

At illi

We're a female-founded B2B Brand Engagement agency based in Chicago, primarily working within life sciences, tech, and pharma. We partner with organizations focusing on positioning, GTM strategies and Sales & Buyer enablement to bridge the gap between brands and their buyers.

We operate on a simple but powerful ethos: Empathy with Edge. We dig deep to understand what's driving our clients' decisions, bringing the confidence and grit to ask the hard questions and deliver solutions that actually move the needle.

We're looking for a business development leader who embodies our philosophy. Someone who listens as well as they lead. Someone who can read a room, understand what's unsaid, and then have the backbone to challenge assumptions and push for better outcomes.

You'll be working alongside a team of experts who move fast, wear multiple hats, and don't hide behind process when action is what's needed. If you thrive in environments where your impact is immediate and visible, and where scrappiness is a strength—you'll understand what we're building here.

The role

You'll own new business development from the first touch through contract execution. That means building pipeline, identifying the right opportunities (not just any opportunities), and closing deals with clients who value partnership over vendor relationships.

You'll also architect strategic partnerships that extend our capabilities and open new markets both within existing accounts and through new connections. This isn't about collecting logos—it's about finding aligned partners who share our commitment to doing great work with intention.

This is a deeply client-facing role. You'll be in the room with C-suite executives and decision-makers, representing illi with both polish and authenticity. You are a deeply networked person who can build trust quickly, present with confidence, and ask the uncomfortable questions that lead to breakthrough thinking.

What We're Looking For

Proven closer empathy. You have a strong track record of winning significant new business, ideally in B2B agency or professional services. But you don't just chase revenue—you pursue the right relationships and know when to walk away from misaligned opportunities.

Self-motivated resourceful. You build your own pipeline, spot opportunities before they're obvious, and don't need a massive support structure to be effective. You figure things out and make things happen.

Confident presenter with substance. You can command a room and present to senior executives, but your charisma is backed by insight. You ask questions that make people think differently and aren't afraid to challenge the brief when it needs challenging.

Grit intention. You bring intensity to your work without burning out your relationships. You're persistent but not pushy. You follow through. You do what you say you'll do.

Growth-oriented mindset. You're motivated by commission checks that reflect the hustle, are energized by the challenge of scaling aggressively, and understand what it takes to build sustainable growth, not just quick wins. You're not looking for a fully built machine—you want to be the one who helps build it.

What We're Offering

This is a full-time, hybrid position based in Chicago with in-office collaboration on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Base salary: $170,000 - $450,000

Compensation structure: We've built an outstanding and highly lucrative comp plan designed to reward what matters most: closing business. Tiered commission structure ranging from 7-10% of closed revenue, with higher rates unlocking at higher revenue thresholds. Strong performers should expect $450K total compensation.

Why illi?

Our name reflects our mission. Derived from the Latin word for "the other side", illi exists to lead brands toward seeing their customers fully, creating meaningful experiences that inspire action. It's where understanding our customer isn't just about data, it's about seeing the complete picture of their needs, motivations, and challenges. Genuine relationships build trust between brands and buyers, because when emotional understanding meets functional insight, true business potential is unlocked. This is our breakthrough, and it can be yours too.

See you on the other side.