Business Development Associate

Cambridge, MA

At IDEO, we use design to create new products, services, experiences, tangible strategies; and creative capabilities. We are a venerated organization with deep commitments to making a positive impact on the world through design, from the first Apple Mouse 40 years ago to developing new digital products, services, and strategies for our global clients today.

IDEO is in search of a Business Development Associate who will partner with design talent & business leaders in Cambridge, MA. You will drive IDEO’s business development efforts with precision, efficiency, and creativity, develop proposals, help support strategic client relationships, and manage pipeline operations. 

In a Nutshell

The Business Development Associate will play a critical role in managing IDEO’s business development pipeline, ensuring client opportunities are well-researched, proposals are well-crafted, and internal teams are equipped with the insights they need to advance strategic engagements.

We are especially excited to meet candidates with experience in emerging technology consulting services, healthcare innovation services, and digital financial product development services. This role will work closely with the North American Hub Leaders, Internal Design Teams, Local Hub Business Development teams, external agency hires, and fellow design professionals within IDEO’s infrastructure.

This hire must be within a commutable distance of our Cambridge, MA Studio Hub. IDEO proudly supports flexible work.

Once Here, You Will:

• Organize and Amplify IDEO’s Business Development Pipeline:
• Manage weekly pipeline update meetings, ensuring the latest opportunities are discussed and assigned.
• Maintain systems updates and data integrity within HubSpot, ensuring all client engagements and opportunities are well-documented.
• Research potential clients and prepare background materials that enable teams to approach conversations strategically.
• Develop and Manage Business Development Materials:
• Own proposal development, ensuring IDEO’s capabilities and solutions are clearly articulated and compellingly presented.
• Craft and refine pitch decks to effectively communicate IDEO’s unique value proposition to potential clients.
• Take detailed notes in meetings and ensure key takeaways are actioned, advancing inbound leads to the right senior IDEOer based on outcomes.
• Proactively Advance Key Communications & Contracts:
• Own qualifying call workflows, efficiently identifying and looping in the right team members when necessary.
• Manage contracting processes, including NDAs, MSAs, and procurement negotiations.
• Collaborate with digital marketing to maintain top-of-funnel outreach through events, content, and targeted engagement strategies.

Qualifications / Experience

• 3+ years of experience in business development, client partnerships, or sales operations, ideally within a consulting, design, or innovation-driven organization.
• Exceptional written & verbal communications skills, with an ability to write for a C-level audience. 
• Experience supporting emerging technology consulting services, healthcare innovation services, and digital financial product development services is a strong plus.
• Ability to develop and manage proposals, client-facing decks, and research materials.
• Strong organizational skills to track and manage business development pipelines.
• Confident in handling introductory sales calls, qualifying leads, and ensuring key stakeholders are looped in efficiently.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and collaborate closely with design, marketing, and Cambridge Hub leadership teams.
• Nice to have: Familiarity with contracting, NDAs, MSAs, and procurement processes.
• Nice to have: experience using HubSpot or similar CRM platforms 
• Nice to have: Visual design skills focused on deck-building and pitch materials

Application Requirements and Instructions

Please take care to answer any required application questions to the best of your ability.

This application will remain open until February 29, 2025.

Salary & Benefits

IDEO is committed to paying its employees equitably, regardless of gender identity or race/ethnicity/cultural identity. We support the holistic well-being of our community by providing a thoughtfully designed benefits package.

The salary range for this role is $60,000 - $105,000 USD​. This range is influenced by a wide range of factors considered in compensation decisions at IDEO, including skills, industry knowledge, and experience. Final offers may vary based on geography, candidate expertise, and other factors.

In addition to base compensation, IDEO offers a rich benefits package, including:

• Health Benefits: Vision, Dental, Healthcare
• Financial Benefits: 401K “safe harbor” plan
• Family & Caregiving: Parental Leave, Adoption Assistance, Fertility Assistance, Transgender Medical Assistance, Breastmilk shipment, Back-up/Dependent Care, Pet Insurance
• Other Benefits: Flexible Work, Flexible Time Off, Paid Holidays, Annual Education Stipend, Home Office Stipend

Commitment to Diversity

At IDEO, we are committed to the work of advancing diversity, equity and inclusion within our organization and in the world. Our purpose of having disproportionate, world-changing impact through design is directly connected to our ability to bring many different perspectives to the table. This applies to our candidates, the people we hire, the clients and customers we serve, and the communities we learn from in our research.

As a human-centered organization, we are committed to working with and designing for people of every race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, physical ability or attribute, religion, national origin, or political belief. We recognize that this commitment requires ongoing work and sustained attention, as well as adaptation to new insights and best practices. We keep our diversity data public for the sake of accountability and transparency. These commitments will also be part of your journey at IDEO, so please feel free to read more about them here.