Business Development Manager

** PLEASE APPLY ON OUR INTERNAL LINK TO BE CONSIDERED***

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Portal Innovations is a biotech venture development engine, focused on early‑stage life science enterprises. We help exceptional life sciences innovators build their companies where they live and beyond. Launched in 2020, we surround these entrepreneurs with the resources and network they need for seed capital, state‑of‑the‑art lab space, a community‑based ecosystem, and access to experts in their fields and prospective investors and partners.

We are looking for colleagues who bring grit to our daily opportunities, seeing every task as a chance to grow. Our team strives to have a deep understanding of our members’ needs, and we are dedicated to ensuring Portal is a vibrant and uplifting environment for everyone. Our people‑centricity begins with how we empower each other—prioritizing a culture of mutual care so we can provide world‑class service to the companies we support.

In our collaborative space, we celebrate our wins and approach new challenges with resilience, viewing them as fuel for innovation to enhance the lives of our members. If you are excited to work alongside a team dedicated to making a meaningful impact, we want to meet you!

Portal Innovations is seeking a driven and dynamic Business Development Manager to join our team – based in Chicago to generate new business and revenue in our Chicago locations and for a new virtual membership offering. This is a great opportunity for someone who thrives in a startup environment and is passionate about the intersection of science, entrepreneurship, and innovation. By joining our team as a Business Development Manager, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the advanced sciences industry and contribute to the success of groundbreaking startups.

This is a FULL‑TIME role. This role offers a dependable, ON‑SITE routine from Monday through Friday. While we primarily stick to our standard business hours, our team does need to have flexibility and occasionally extends the day to meet the evolving needs of our growing business.

• Lead the full business development process for our Portal location in Chicago—from sourcing and touring prospective member companies to negotiating terms and securing new memberships
• Build strong, long‑term relationships with current member companies, ensuring their needs are met while proactively identifying opportunities for contract renewals and space expansion
• Take charge of identifying and managing a pipeline of potential member companies.
• Take point on all Chicago membership deal negotiations, balancing member needs with Portal’s pricing and revenue goals
• Grow membership revenue by identifying high‑potential startups, developing tailored proposals, and guiding them through the close
• Act as a key representative of Portal in the Chicago innovation community, engaging founders, VCs, researchers, and ecosystem partners to raise visibility and attract new business
• Help shape, expand and close new Portal’s membership offerings, including flexible, non‑traditional options that meet the evolving needs of early‑stage innovators
• Develop and close revenue‑generating partnerships with pharma, tech, AI, universities, and other strategic players
• Partner cross‑functionally to hit revenue goals and drive business forward across the organization

• Proven ability to prospect and develop new business, including building prospect lists and successfully transitioning prospects to clients
• Proven sales experience and sales lifecycle knowledge
• Experience in market research and analysis
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Proven experience building and managing relationships
• Experience working in or selling to the life sciences or other science industry a plus

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field
• 2+ years of relevant experience in business development, strategic partnerships, or sales.
• Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently
• Strategic planning and project management abilities
• Strong work ethic,…