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Director, Business Development

University of Chicago · Chicago, IL · $150,000–$180,000 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 27, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

This role develops business for a business school's executive education arm. What corporate education or professional services business development have you done?

What they are checking: Whether they have sold corporate education or professional services before, because this market has long cycles and very specific buyers.

How do you work with faculty who have views about what should be taught and limited time to teach it?

What they are checking: Whether they can work respectfully with faculty's views and limited time, since programs only succeed when faculty are willing to teach them.

How do you build a pipeline of corporate relationships from a standing start?

What they are checking: Whether they have a concrete plan for building relationships from scratch, since this role must generate new business rather than inherit it.

What would you do

Walk me through winning a custom program with a corporate client.

What they are checking: Whether they understand the full cycle from discovery through design and delivery, which takes months and involves many people at both ends.

A client wants content the school would not want to put its name on. How do you handle that?

What they are checking: Whether they will protect the school's reputation by declining or reshaping requests, since one bad program can damage a respected brand.

The school has campuses on several continents. How does that change what you can sell?

What they are checking: Whether they see how multiple campuses let them serve global clients, which turns the school's footprint into a real selling point.

This sits in executive education at the business school. What would you want to know about the current portfolio and the faculty relationships before you took it?

What they are checking: Whether they would ask about the current programs and faculty relationships, which shows realistic judgment before committing to growth targets.

About the work

A company can buy executive education from anyone. What would make them buy it here?

What they are checking: Whether they can name what truly sets this school apart, like faculty research and reputation, since buyers have many cheaper options.

How do you price a custom program?

What they are checking: Whether they can price programs to cover faculty, design and delivery costs, so deals are profitable and not just impressive to announce.

How would you measure whether business development is working here?

What they are checking: Whether they would track repeat clients, margins and pipeline health, because bookings alone can hide whether the business is truly growing.

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The full job description

As published by University of Chicago.

Department Booth Executive Education About the Department The University of Chicago Booth School of Business is the second-oldest business school in the U.S. and second to none when it comes to influencing business education and business practices. Since 1898, the school has produced ideas and leaders that shape the world of business. Their rigorous, discipline-based approach to business education transforms students into confident, effective, respected business leaders prepared to face the toughest challenges. Chicago Booth has the finest set of facilities of any business school in the world. Each of the four campuses (two in Chicago, one in London, and one in Hong Kong) reflects the architectural traditions of its environs while offering a state-of-the-art learning environment. Chicago Booth is proud to claim: -an unmatched faculty. -degree and open enrollment programs offered on three continents. -a global body of nearly 56,000 accomplished alumni. -strong and growing corporate relationships that provide a wealth of lifelong career opportunities. As part of the world-renowned University of Chicago, Chicago Booth shares the University's core values that shape the distinctive intellectual culture. At Booth, they constantly question and test ideas, and seek proof. This extraordinarily effective approach to business leads to new ideas and innovative solutions. Seven of the Booth faculty members have won Nobel Prizes for these ideas - the first business school to achieve this accomplishment. For more information about the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, please visit: http://www.chicagobooth.edu/. Job Summary The Director, Business Development, will cultivate new client relationships, which includes generating new custom program opportunities, securing new group enrollment relationships for the Open Enrollment portfolio, and increasing awareness of Chicago Booth Executive Education globally. This new senior role located in Chicago will be critical to Chicago Booth’s mission To create knowledge with enduring impact and to educate and influence current and future leaders and the global growth strategy for Chicago Booth Executive Education. The Director will be viewed as a trusted partner and have proven consultative selling experience with C-Suite leaders including CLO’s/CHO’s, talent and development teams and senior level leadership across both private and public sectors. The Director will be responsible for generating incremental revenue through inbound and outbound sales by identifying qualified external leads, generating a pipeline of new custom business, closing new custom opportunities, and establishing new group enrollment contracts. This role will have solutions-based selling experience in professional education, including knowledge of program design, teaching methods, multiple formats and channels – with a track record of successfully working with L&D leaders, client partners and faculty to create customized learning solutions with measurable impact. As a member of a cross-functional leadership team, the Director will develop new business growth strategies and coordinate with Marketing, Program Management and Operations functions to review and approve new client opportunities as well as to identify opportunities to deepen and expand existing client relationships. The Director will collaborate with staff based in Chicago, London, Dubai and Hong Kong on strategic initiatives, alumni relationships and other key stakeholders. Chicago Booth custom programs may be delivered in Chicago, London, Hong Kong, online and/or at client locations globally. The key metrics of success for the role will include growth of YOY net revenue, deepening loyalty/referral and managing retention of key accounts, clients, and programs. This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored employment authorization. Responsibilities • As a senior member of the Executive Education team, participates in establishing objectives, long-term goals, policies, and procedures with the Executive Education Associate Dean and Directors. • Collaborates with key partners and Executive Education faculty to develop bespoke programs that meet the learning needs of current and prospective executive participants. • Initiates and maintains contact with client organizations for current and prospective programs; develops trusted relationships and partnerships to ensure learning objectives are met. • Develops and manages annual budget for new custom programs and renewals that meet financial targets set by Chicago Booth. • Analyzes financial performance quarterly and implements corrective administration action when appropriate. • Collaborates closely with Global Program Management and Operations to ensure consistent and high-quality program delivery process is maintained across all Executive Education programs. • Leads and coaches internal or external program delivery staff on client and faculty engagement, program design, account management and delivery for campus and off-site locations. • As needed, assists direct reports in preparing budgets; authorizes payment for materials, facilities, staff and instructional faculty. • As needed, assists direct reports in custom program planning, budget management, client contracts, scheduling and delivery of global custom programs. • Hires, onboards, trains and evaluates staff and external faculty, as needed. • Travels domestically and internationally to build new business relationships, engage clients or attend custom programs, as needed. • Provides specialized professional expertise in developing executive or professional degree programs and/or curriculum. Implements plans for executive or professional degree programs and initiatives and acts as a liaison between the program and program participants. • Plans and develops program objectives, long-term goals, and procedures, which requires specialized knowledge and experience in this area. Plans, implements, and evaluates the effectiveness of programs, initiating revisions as needed. • Performs other related work as needed. Minimum Qualifications Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field. Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline. Certifications: --- Preferred Qualifications Education: • Bachelor’s degree. • Master’s degree. Experience: • A minimum ten years of experience of relevant professional experience. • Background in higher education. • Prior and recent experience leading and developing others, executive or management development, training, developmental education, counseling, coaching, or a related field). • Understanding of negotiating with partners and clients and managing contracts. • Familiarity with the professional higher education market and ivy-plus business school experience. Technical Skills or Knowledge: • Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). • Proficiency with Salesforce, Cvent, and Microsoft Office, especially MS PowerPoint and Excel. Preferred Competencies • Strong knowledge of Learning and Development, custom program design, faculty engagement and client account management. • Strong business acumen, interpersonal skills and ability to influence a variety of stakeholders at all levels. Understand, collaborate and work with a diverse group of constituents and cultures across the globe, including faculty, clients, staff, participants, and alumni. • Outstanding verbal, written, and presentation skills, as well as organizational skills. • Professional demeanor and executive presence and credibility to engage senior-level and C-suite clients globally. • Manage cross-functionally across an organization and work with internal and external partners. • Adapt quickly to and manage changes in daily workflow. • Understand and balance the different priorities of Executive Education. Working Conditions • This position is currently expected to work a minimum three days per week in the office. • Work flexible hours according to demands of business. Application Documents • Resume/CV (required) • Cover Letter (required) The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions. When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application. Job Family Academic Affairs Role Impact Individual Contributor Scheduled Weekly Hours 37.5 Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Rate Type Salary ​ FLSA Status Exempt ​ Pay Range $150,000.00 - $180,000.00 The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting. Benefits Eligible Yes The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook . Posting Statement The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position. The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

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