Business Development Associate

Business Development Associate – Executive Search (Chicago | In-Office)
About Crucial Hire

Crucial Hire is a boutique executive search firm in Chicago’s Gold Coast specializing in high-impact HR and People Leadership roles ranging from $90K to $600K in total compensation. We partner directly with CEOs, CHROs, and executive leadership teams who expect excellence — and we take that responsibility seriously. We are selective, thoughtful, and invested in the people we hire.

We’re grown through credibility, trusted relationships, and a reputation for delivering results. When we call, people return our calls. When we reach out, candidates often send resumes immediately. You will be representing a brand that people actually like hearing from.

We are seeking a Business Development Associate who brings energy, discipline, emotional intelligence, and a genuinely human presence to executive recruiting. This is an in-person role in our Gold Coast office. It is not a remote job, and it is not a back-office position.

This is a voice-forward, handshake-driven, relationship-building role. You will talk to HR leaders, CHROs, business executives, and hiring decision-makers daily. For the right person, this is a career-defining entry point into executive search, with clear opportunity to grow into a full recruiter role.

• Make 40–60 outbound calls per day to HR leaders, senior executives, and decision-makers

• Follow up on 100+ warm leads per month;
  Crucial Hire receives real callbacks

• Build and manage your own targeted outreach pipeline

• Attend local HR and business networking events

• Participate in client meetings and candidate interviews

• Shadow executive-level recruiting conversations and searches

• Represent Crucial Hire with a confident, professional, and approachable presence

• Learn executive search fundamentals and grow into a recruiter capable of owning searches

We value candidates who come from competitive early-career sales or recruiting environments such as:

Enterprise Rent‑A‑Car, Kforce, Aerotek/TEKsystems, ADP, Paychex, CUTCO/Vector, CDW, Xerox, Cintas, Northwestern Mutual, Insight Global, Robert Half, Randstad, Grainger, Fastenal, Verizon Business, Sysco/US Foods, Yelp/Yellow Pages, Zoom Info, Hub Spot, Salesforce, Staples/Office Depot B2B, Pepsi Co/Frito‑Lay, DHL/UPS/Fed Ex Business Sales, United Rentals, Sunbelt Rentals, hospitality sales roles (Marriott/Hyatt/Hilton), Equinox/Lifetime corporate sales, top‑performing auto sales professionals, and early‑career pharma/medical device programs.

Beyond background, success in this role requires:

• Strong verbal communication and confidence on the phone

• High callback rates driven by tone, professionalism, and follow‑through

• A disciplined, organized, high‑accountability work style

• Emotional intelligence and empathy for clients, candidates, and their decision‑making process

• Confidence with humility and the ability to build trust quickly

• A sense of humor and a grounded, people‑first approach

• A desire to be part of something meaningful — not just “a job”

• The presence and maturity to become a role model within the team

• Proven B2B sales or agency recruiting experience

• Strong phone and communication skills

• Relationship‑building instincts

• Self‑discipline and reliability

• Emotional intelligence and professionalism

• Experience with recruiting or executive search

• Familiarity with HR, talent acquisition, or business networking events

• Ability to learn quickly by shadowing senior leadership

Base salary: $50,000
Performance bonuses available

• In‑office role in our Gold Coast location

• Standard hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

• Occasional extended hours when business needs require it

• High‑performance, supportive, and growth‑oriented environment

• Direct mentorship and real‑time coaching from Crucial Hire’s Chief Talent Officer

At Crucial Hire, you are not another resume on a spreadsheet. You are someone we invest in — personally and professionally. Our standard is simple: hire people so strong and so grounded that we feel fortunate they chose us.

Please submit your resume or Linked In profile to .
Candidates may also schedule a brief introductory conversation at:

If this opportunity feels aligned with your strengths and ambitions, we encourage you to apply.

to apply online