Vice President - Business Development

NORC at the University of Chicago, an objective and non-partisan research organization with more than 80 years of leadership in data collection, program evaluation, data analysis, technical assistance, and information dissemination, seeks a Vice President for the Office of Business Development (OBD).

As a condition of employment, all NORC employees and contractors – including those working remotely – must be fully vaccinated (as defined by current CDC guidance) against COVID-19.

The Office of Business Development (OBD) identifies and disseminates key information related to the procurement and retention of new and current business lines. OBD Staff also support proposal preparation, maintain a proposal database, and coordinate proposal process improvements across NORC. Within OBD, the Desktop Publishing team designs and produces proposals as well as a variety of other digital and print collateral. It is essential that OBD works effectively and efficiently by devising and refining business development policies and procedures to promote efficiency, reduce redundancies, and build a foundation of institutional knowledge.

The Vice President of Business Development oversees the activities of OBD related to the procurement and retention of new and current business; helps set and establish business development policy, process, and procedures; supports strategic business development efforts across the company, and contributes to the implementation, use, and enhancements of NORC’s customer relationship management system. This position reports directly to the Senior Vice President for Business Development.

• Fosters and leads strategic thinking and approaches related to preproposal and proposal activities.
• Conducts pre-capture activities to support new lines of business development such as investigating the market and areas for growth, conducting outreach to inquire about potential opportunities or partnerships, and connecting NORC staff to new opportunities and clients.
• Contributes to long-term and large-scale planning to pursue opportunities in new and emerging markets.
• Reviews and monitors federal and state government budgeting and procurement processes relevant to the utilization of social science and public policy research by government agencies.
• Establishes and implements business development operational standards, policies, and materials.
• Supports and monitors business development processes and operations for NORC’s enterprise bids.
• Contributes to and advocates for the adoption, maintenance, and enhancement of NORC’s customer relationship management systems.
• Conducts competitor analyses, gathers and disseminates information related to potential and future opportunities, advises OBD staff on the identification of potential prospects and opportunities.
• Develops and monitors department’s annual budget requests. Performs other department administrative functions as assigned.
• Communicates OBD news, information, and policies to NORC’s research departments and staff.
• Engages in proposal production and submission activities as the situation warrants.

• At least 15 years of directly applicable work experience in a significant management role; management of line of business or research group in a nonprofit organization, research organization or government agency.
• Quantifiable and proven business development acumen and record procuring work from federal, state and local agencies, foundations, and commercial entities.
• Ability to work in a collaborative style; ability to apply advanced problem-solving techniques to complex and unique situations; ability to think strategically and direct critical projects or strategic initiatives simultaneously.
• Prefer Master’s degree or doctorate in a relevant social science field, but B.A. plus 15 years of relevant experience is acceptable.
• Expertise in the preparation of winning proposals and grant applications.
• Expertise in federal, state, and foundation procurement life cycles, including but not limited to initial RFP, proposal development, and post-submission follow-up with federal sponsors.
• Expertise and experience with Federal contract management and procurement-processes (e.g., RFP, BPA, IDIQ, and GSA Schedule) that are used by Federal agencies in awarding Federal contracts.
• Expertise and experience in using tools such as GovWin to identify business opportunities.

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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.

For over 75 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.

NORC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that values and actively seeks diversity in the workforce. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other legally- protected characteristics.