Manager, Panel Business Development

Location: This hybrid role is based in NORC’s downtown Chicago office, with a minimum of six in-office days per month for collaboration, client development, and team connection.

DEPARTMENT: AmeriSpeak The AmeriSpeak® Panel is a probability-based sample of U.S. households built for survey researchers who cannot afford to be wrong. AmeriSpeak combines the speed and cost-effectiveness of modern survey panels with the methodological rigor that has made NORC at the University of Chicago a trusted leader in survey research. By reaching populations that other survey panels often miss, AmeriSpeak enables high-quality, trustworthy insights for clients including The Associated Press, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, AARP, universities, and many others.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Develop and grow a portfolio of prospective clients by connecting their research goals to AmeriSpeak’s products, services, and methodological strengths. Strengthen relationships with existing clients by identifying opportunities for repeat work, expanded engagement, and long-term partnership. Guide client opportunities of basic to moderate complexity from early consultation through proposal, pricing, contracting, and internal transition to delivery teams. Lead client conversations that translate research questions into practical, high-quality survey solutions. Create clear, persuasive pricing, proposals, and contract materials that help clients make confident decisions. Ensure newly awarded projects begin with clear scope, expectations, responsibilities, and success measures. Contribute to complex, high-value opportunities led by senior team members, including solution development, proposal inputs, opportunity tracking, and client communications. Persuasively present AmeriSpeak with clarity and credibility to research, policy, academic, nonprofit, government, and commercial audiences. Help shape AmeriSpeak’s market presence by improving products, sales materials, messaging, and go-to-market resources. Coach and support junior staff. Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS: Bachelor's degree. 5 years of survey, market research, or related research experience, including 1 year in client management, account management, consultative sales, or business development. Experience coaching, mentoring, or guiding colleagues in client-facing, proposal, or project delivery work. Strong knowledge of the principles and processes of survey research. Expertise in at least one substantive or methodological area. Excellent analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills, with sound judgment and strong attention to detail. Ability to manage multiple opportunities or projects, anticipate risks, and collaborate effectively with clients and internal partners. Self-starter who exercises sound judgment, works effectively with minimal supervision, and thrives in a collaborative, mission-driven environment. Ability to write clear, persuasive technical proposals, budget justifications, and client-facing business development materials. Proficiency with Microsoft Office software, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Basic proficiency in CRM applications such as Salesforce. Occasional travel. Preferred experience with consultative selling, pricing strategy, proposal development, CRM use, or business development in a research, data, insights, or professional services environment.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: The pay range for this position is $96,000 - $121,000 This position is classified as regular. Regular staff are eligible for NORC’s comprehensive benefits program. Benefits include, but are not limited to: Generously subsidized health insurance, effective on the first day of employment Dental and vision insurance A defined contribution retirement program, along with a separate voluntary 403(b) retirement program Group life insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance Benefits that promote work/life balance, including generous paid time off, holidays; paid parental leave, bereavement leave, tuition assistance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). NORC is committed to equity and transparency in its pay practices. We publish salary ranges and benefit information for every job. The listed hiring range reflects what we, in good faith, expect to pay at the time of posting, though actual compensation may vary and may be adjusted over time. A candidate’s placement within the range depends on factors such as competencies, education, qualifications, experience, skills, performance, and organizational needs.

WHAT WE DO: NORC at the University of Chicago is an objective, non-partisan research institution that delivers reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical programmatic, business, and policy decisions. Since 1941, our teams have conducted groundbreaking studies, created and applied innovative methods and tools, and advanced principles of scientific integrity and collaboration. Today, government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world partner with us to transform increasingly complex information into useful knowledge.

WHO WE ARE: For over 80 years, NORC has evolved in many ways, moving the needle with research methods, technical applications and groundbreaking research findings. But our tradition of excellence, passion for innovation, and commitment to collegiality have remained constant components of who we are as a brand, and who each of us is as a member of the NORC team. With world-class benefits, a business casual environment, and an emphasis on continuous learning, NORC is a place where people join for the stellar research and analysis work for which we’re known, and stay for the relationships they form with their colleagues who take pride in the impact their work is making on a global scale.

EEO STATEMENT: NORC is an equal opportunity employer. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation, and other legally protected characteristics.