Senior Director of Membership & Growth

About this role

We're looking for a senior-level, hands-on sales leader who is equally energized by closing new deals and building lasting member relationships. As the Senior Director of Membership & Growth, you will be the primary revenue driver for Portal Innovations Chicago owning the full membership strategy and personally executing it, from first outreach to signed agreement. You'll work closely with the Executive Director, Ops Team and COO to close membership agreements, ensure member needs are met, and deliver a seamless experience from first conversation to long-term membership.

In this role, you won't just fill space, you'll be the face of Portal Innovations Chicago, championing the community and helping innovators understand the full value of what Portal offers: world-class lab facilities, a thriving ecosystem of peers and mentors, access to capital, and a team genuinely invested in their success. If you're a proven closer with deep roots in life sciences, pharma, med device, or related fields and you're ready to lead membership growth for one of the most exciting innovation hubs in the region this role was built for you.

This is a FULL-TIME role. This role offers a dependable routine from Monday through Friday. While we primarily stick to our standard business hours, our team does need to have flexibility and occasionally extends the day to meet the evolving needs of our growing business.

What you'll do

• Own the full membership sales cycle from strategic prospecting and pipeline development to tailored proposals, lab tours, negotiation, and close.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline through your existing network in life sciences, pharma, med device, and adjacent fields and by creating new relationships with VCs, accelerators, universities, and ecosystem partners.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to members: understanding their evolving needs, identifying expansion opportunities, and ensuring long-term retention.
• Partner with Lab Operations and Member Experience to deliver seamless onboarding and day-to-day member support.
• Maintain CRM discipline (pipeline accuracy, forecasting, reporting) and represent Portal at key industry events across the Chicago and Midwest ecosystem.

What we're looking for

• 5 years in sales, business development, or membership growth ideally in life sciences, pharma, med device, lab services, or innovation/incubator environments.
• A track record of personally closing complex, consultative deals.
• An existing network in the Chicago or Midwest startup and life sciences ecosystem is a meaningful advantage.
• Strong communicator equally effective in cold outreach, pitches, or a personalized lab tour.
• Proficiency with CRM platforms (Salesforce, HubSpot, or similar) and a disciplined approach to pipeline management.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field, or equivalent experience.

Why Portal:

• You'll be the face of one of the most exciting innovation communities not a cog in a large sales org.
• Competitive compensation with meaningful upside tied to your performance.
• A collaborative team that's genuinely invested in member and employee success.
• Direct access to leadership and a real seat at the table as we grow.

Benefits:

• Excellent Medical, Dental and Vision
• Life and Disability Benefits
• Flexible PTO Policy
• Generous Parental Leave
• 401K Program
• In Office Perk: Unlimited Coffee and Snacks to keep you going throughout the day
   

Work Authorization/Security-Clearance Requirements:

Must be eligible to work in the United States.

Portal is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital or family status, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis under provincial, federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances.