Business Development Manager

Quartermaster is seeking a Business Development Manager to join our expanding team. This person will work closely with the CEO to drive growth by identifying new business opportunities, building strong new client relationships, and expanding our presence across key industries. This role requires a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of branding and marketing, a proactive approach to sales, and the ability to close deals that align with our agency’s expertise.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter with exceptional communication and negotiation skills, comfortable engaging with decision-makers, and capable of crafting compelling proposals that demonstrate Quartermaster’s value.

This position is hybrid, onsite in our Chicago office three days a week, but we are also open to remote work for strong candidates outside of the Chicago area.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Generation & Outreach: Identify and cultivate new business opportunities through strategic outreach, networking, and industry research.
• Sales Strategy: Work closely with the CEO to develop and execute a sales and communication plan to drive agency growth, setting measurable goals and tracking progress.
• Client Acquisition & Relationship Management: Build strong relationships with prospective clients, understanding their business needs and positioning Quartermaster’s services effectively.
• Proposal & Pitch Development: Craft persuasive proposals, presentations, and pitch materials tailored to each prospect.
• Industry Engagement: Stay ahead of market trends and competitive insights, attending industry events to enhance Quartermaster’s visibility.
• Collaboration & Internal Alignment: Work closely with leadership, strategy, and creative teams to align sales efforts with agency capabilities and long-term goals.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in business development or sales, preferably in a branding, marketing, or creative agency.
• Familiarity with CRM software tools and sales tracking systems, able to manage leads and execute custom reports.
• Proven ability to develop and close deals with mid-to-large-scale clients.
• Keen understanding of sales performance metrics.
• Prospect, cold call, and develop new business opportunities across key categories identified by leadership.
• Manage the agency's business development process, including scheduling, communications, tracking responses, preparing materials, pitching, and post-pitch follow-up.
• Serve as the Project Management Lead for RFPs and proactive opportunities, ensuring timely execution and alignment with agency goals.
• Strong negotiation, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience crafting compelling proposals and sales decks.
• Ability to think strategically and translate client needs into tailored agency solutions, effectively communicating Quartermaster’s capabilities and competitive edge to brands and the broader industry.
• Passion for branding, marketing, and creative storytelling.
• The ideal candidate comes to the role with existing relationships they can leverage on behalf of the agency.

Compensation: This role includes a base salary plus commission on leads that result in closed business.

Quartermaster is an agency dedicated to the art and science of Brandcraft - combining market insights with strategic creativity to deliver measurable results. We specialize in creative marketing, design, and branding solutions for Food, Beverage & CPG, Music & Culture, and Financial Services & Technology brands.

From brand creation and the development of campaigns for some of the most influential companies in the world, to leading some of the world’s most iconic live events, we've been at the forefront of brand experience for over 25 years.