VSA’s purpose is to design for a better human experience. As a strategy and design agency, we blend consumer insights and data with human-centered design to activate meaningful, motivating and measurable experiences in an increasingly noisy world. With offices in Chicago, New York and San Francisco, VSA offers a full range of fully integrated capabilities—branding, advertising, data science and technology—all under one roof. VSA is also a proud member of Meet The People, an international family of unified and independent agencies. For more than 40 years, we have delivered solutions for business and creative leaders at some of the world’s most respected brands and forward-thinking organizations, including Google, Nike and IBM.
Chicago, IL - In Office/Hybrid
Associate Partner, Strategic Growth
Growth is a team sport. And you’re the quarterback. (Okay, that’s the last sports metaphor—promise.) But this role really is about being a decisive leader—someone who knows how to motivate, coordinate, and rally a team to shared success.
At VSA, we don’t just chase opportunities—we create them. As an independent, design-driven consultancy, we thrive on enduring client relationships, referrals, and a track record of high-conversion wins. We need a high-energy, strategic thinker who embraces the thrill of the hunt and knows how to connect clients with the right solutions.
What You’ll Do
- Lead Outbound Growth – Spearhead VSA’s business development efforts, identifying, cultivating, and converting new opportunities.
- Shape the Right Opportunities – Collaborate with senior leadership, strategy, and creative teams to target, develop, and land high-value engagements.
- Sell with Insight – Use a consultative, strategic approach to uncover client challenges and position VSA as the solution.
- Build Meaningful Relationships – Grow a network of decision-makers, industry leaders, and prospective clients who turn to VSA as a trusted partner.
- Drive Execution – Adapt seamlessly between crafting the perfect pitch and directing a team to bring a vision to life.
- Champion the VSA Difference – Leverage our design heritage, independent spirit, and legacy of impact to open doors and win business.
You’re the Perfect Candidate If…
- You have 10+ years of experience in marketing, branding, business development, or a sales related field with a proven track record of driving growth and revenue.
- You have led cross-functional teams- Supporting multi-disciplinary teams across account management and business development.
- You understand lead nurturing & funnel management- Can attract potential clients but also move them efficiently from awareness to conversion.
- You have a growth mindset and a proven track record in strategic selling and relationship-building.
- You view listening as a secret weapon—knowing when to steer, when to challenge, and when to close.
- You love the puzzle of business development—figuring out where to play and how to win.
- You are enduringly optimistic and see possibilities where others see obstacles.
- You’re a doer—equally capable of crafting a pitch or directing a team to build it.
- You don’t just tolerate change—you thrive in it, shaping and building as you go.
- You genuinely love the matchmaking challenge of connecting clients and agencies.
- You believe that there are no boring clients—just untapped potential.
- You embrace goals and accountability—and know how to rally a team to meet them.
- You’re a builder at heart—you thrive when you are collaborating with a team or client, building on ideas together.
Still with us? Good. Let’s talk.
Chicago Estimated Salary Range
$160,000—$240,000 USD
VSA Partners is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive, equitable environment for all employees. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit and business need.
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VSA PARTNERS, LLC
vsapartners.com
What We Do
VSA is a hybrid brand strategy and design agency. We partner with business, strategic and creative leaders, combining our strategic consulting with design-driven experiences to solve business problems and realize the future of a brand. As a hybrid agency, we blend consumer insights and data with the craft of design to activate the most meaningful, motivating and measurable experiences.
For VSA employees as well as those we recruit, we’ve adopted a long-term hybrid model that allows people to define their way of working in the way they want. This means that VSAers can work from anywhere in the United States—home, office or any place in between. Working from anywhere gives VSAers the option to find time to work alone, join others for office-based collaboration, or meet up as needed for small-group moments and client meetings. We’re also hiring with geographic “neutrality”—pursuing the best talent wherever it may live. We think having a workplace option matters most these days: Employees benefit from human interaction and the need for a change in scenery from time to time. And also, VSA benefits from a diversity of experiences and perspectives that come from seeing and participating in the larger world. All of which is why we see our offices in Chicago, New York and San Francisco as a flexible, accessible network of workspace hubs for employees to use as needed for work and interaction with colleagues.
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