Associate (Business Development)

Job Description

Job Description

SELECTLEADERS OVERVIEW

SelectLeaders, a Bisnow Company, is the #1 job platform and executive recruiting consultancy for the Commercial Real Estate industry. Our mission is twofold : To connect industry-leading employers to their most important asset – its people, and to connect the highest caliber talent to the next chapter of their Real Estate careers. The competitive advantage of SelectLeaders is our continuously growing network of top professional Real Estate organizations, unparalleled access and data within the Commercial Real Estate industry and 35+ years of search and recruiting  experience.

Internally this role is called, Associate. As an Associate or Senior Associate on our Executive Search team, you are on the front lines of our organization. Your role is to support the Managing Director and sales leadership by driving high-quality prospecting, opportunity qualification, and closing support for CRE search engagements. Associates (0–3 years) focus on mastering core prospecting, sales and research skills, while Senior Associates (3–5 years) operate with more autonomy, deeper CRE and high level BD fluency, and a stronger emphasis on closing and contract negotiation. Both roles have a path to Director and beyond. This is a hybrid role in office 3-4 days a week and from home 1-2 days a week (24 E. Washington St., Chicago).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with the Managing Director to develop a targeted prospecting and outreach strategy within your territories, identifying owners, developers, operators, and investment firms that can benefit from our services.
• Follow up on leads through email, phone, video conference, and LinkedIn to qualify or disqualify interest in our services. Quickly assess hiring needs, budget, decision-making processes, and timing to determine fit.
• Guide prospects through our search offerings, articulate our value proposition in the CRE space, run effective discovery, and convert qualified opportunities into signed search engagements.
• Negotiate terms, pricing structures, and contract details with clients in partnership with the Managing Director. Ensure all agreements reflect mutually beneficial outcomes and set the recruiting team up for success.
• Work cross-functionally with the recruiting team to ensure smooth handoffs, alignment on role requirements, and accurate scoping of each search. Provide ongoing communication around client expectations, timelines, and changes to search criteria.
• Leverage Bisnow, Biscred and SelectLeaders data, technology, and industry relationships to identify high-value opportunities and drive revenue.
• Document all client interactions, opportunity stages, and contract details in Salesforce. Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders to maintain transparency and alignment.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR? (ASSOCIATE LEVEL : 0–3 YEARS)

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR? (SENIOR ASSOCIATE LEVEL : 3–5 YEARS)

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Plus commission!

NEXT STEPS

Before applying, please read our values below. Our values describe and give insight into our culture. If you do not share the same values, this role will not be a mutually beneficial fit. If you do share these values and want to apply, we encourage you to do so.

Our values demand that we be curious, self-aware, fearless, consistent. We say yes to seemingly insurmountable challenges because we dare ourselves to push further. And we go the distance because we are individually and collectively entrepreneurial, always asking : Why can’t it be done? We find a way because we care more than the competition. We embrace team and disown ego. We are ruthlessly disciplined and unabashedly kind. We unreservedly challenge the status quo and vigorously fight for new levels of excellence. We believe the difference between good and great is exceptional communication. We obsess over creating value for our team and our customers. We push ourselves and our industry to be more inclusive, to champion diversity and to fight racism, gender bias and all forms of inequality. We never peak. We never quit. We never have excuses. We own our failures and we commit to being smarter and stronger because of them. We give our best today and even better tomorrow. We are here to win.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.