Enterprise Business Development Executive in Chicago metropolitan area, Illinois at Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern IL

Enterprise Business Development Executive

Department: Business Development

Classification: Exempt

Location: Chicago and Northern Illinois; local candidates must reside within Northern Illinois and be able to regularly travel throughout the assigned market.

Reports To: Director of Business Development (or applicable leader)

Company Overview

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a nonprofit organization committed to advancing marketplace trust. We foster honest and responsive relationships between businesses and consumers through self-regulation, education, and service excellence. Our vision is a marketplace where buyers and sellers trust each other.

Position Summary

The Enterprise Business Development Executive is a strategic, consultative sales professional responsible for identifying, developing, and securing BBB Accreditation opportunities among 100 plus employee companies and enterprise-level organizations throughout the Chicago and Northern Illinois market.

This role serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership teams, educating organizations on the value of BBB Accreditation and helping them strengthen trust, brand reputation, and marketplace credibility.

The ideal candidate is a highly motivated sales professional with a proven record of success in selling to businesses with 100 or more employees.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Sales

• Identify, qualify, and engage enterprise-level businesses that align with BBB Accreditation standards.
• Develop and execute strategic territory and account-based sales plans to maximize market penetration and revenue growth.
• Conduct outbound prospecting through phone calls, email campaigns, networking events, referrals, social selling, face-to-face meetings, and BBB-sponsored events.
• Build and maintain relationships with executive-level stakeholders, including CEOs, Presidents, Owners, and senior leadership teams.
• Deliver compelling presentations and consultative discussions that communicate the value and impact of BBB Accreditation.
• Guide prospective organizations through the accreditation process from initial engagement through final approval and onboarding.
• Manage complex sales cycles involving multiple stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Consistently achieve or exceed monthly, quarterly, and annual sales goals.

Strategic Relationship Management

• Establish and maintain long-term relationships with enterprise business leaders and community stakeholders.
• Develop strategic partnerships that support accreditation growth and BBB’s mission of advancing marketplace trust.
• Represent BBB at networking events, industry conferences, trade associations, chamber events, community functions, and other in-person business development opportunities.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen market presence and increase enterprise engagement within assigned territories.

Sales Operations & Performance Management

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records within the organization’s CRM platform.
• Manage and report on sales pipeline activity, forecasting, conversion metrics, and business development performance.
• Track key performance indicators including prospecting activity, appointments scheduled, presentations conducted, proposal conversions, and accreditation closures.
• Provide market intelligence and competitive insights to leadership.
• Participate in sales strategy discussions and contribute to process improvements and best practices.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Marketing, Communications, Accreditation, and Operations teams to support organizational growth initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure a seamless accreditation experience for prospective businesses.
• Participate in organizational meetings and strategic planning initiatives as needed.

Preferred

• Enterprise sales or strategic account management experience.
• Experience selling professional services, memberships, associations, nonprofit partnerships, or business solutions.
• Experience utilizing LinkedIn Sales Navigator or similar prospecting tools.
• Business, Marketing, Communications, or a related field preferred.

Compensation

Compensation consists of a competitive base salary range of approximately $46,000 to $52,000 (based on experience), plus commission opportunities tied to accreditation starts performance. Top performers may earn six-figure total compensation based on individual sales achievement, including enterprise-level accreditation sales. Commission payments are subject to the organization’s approved commission plan, including applicable tiered rates and any per-deal commission thresholds.

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing Communications, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of successful B2B sales experience.
• Demonstrated success in consultative, solution-based, membership, subscription, or professional services sales.
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales quotas and revenue targets.
• Experience engaging executive-level decision-makers and navigating complex sales cycles.
• Exceptional verbal, written, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong negotiation, influencing, and closing abilities.
• High degree of professionalism, integrity, and ethical judgment.
• Self-motivated with excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with CRM platforms and sales reporting tools.

Travel Requirements

This role requires regular local travel throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and Northern Illinois region for client meetings, presentations, networking events, BBB-sponsored events, and other business development activities. Candidates must have reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and the ability to attend occasional evening or weekend networking and community events. Approved business travel expenses are reimbursed in accordance with BBB policy.