When you join Sunrise Senior Living, you will be able to use your unique skills to empower residents to live longer, healthier, and happier lives. Not only will you build meaningful relationships with residents, their families, and team members alike, you will also gain joy in serving others and deep fulfillment in your work. Explore how you can follow your passions and shed light on meaningful ways to serve, grow, and shine together.

 

Sunrise Senior Living was again certified as a Great Place to Work® by Activated Insights. This is the 9th time Sunrise has received this top culture and workplace designation, highlighting the special place Sunrise is to be a part of.

Chicago Metro Area

2025-231439

The Area Director of Business Development (ADBD) is responsible for using market knowledge and company resources to develop and implement business development strategies for an assigned market that will generate qualified, nonpaid professional referrals, bring more seniors to Sunrise Senior Living and position Sunrise as a preferred provider. This role also drives strategies related to local paid referral partners to generate 3rd party referrals and move-ins from these partners. Additionally, the ADBD assists Executive Directors and Regional Directors of Sales in coaching and mentoring Directors of Sales on best market practices related to professional outreach and business development.

Essential Duties

As a part of the Sunrise team, supporting our Mission, Principles of Service and Core Values is a fundamental part of this job. Our foundational belief is the sacred value of human life. The unique responsibilities for this role include but are not limited to the essential functions listed as follows:

• Identify and target qualified referral sources, including professionals, community associations and healthcare organizations, to generate a continuous flow of leads for Independent Living to Skilled Nursing Facilities.


• Foster and maintain relationships with key referral sources, ensuring consistent lead generation and business growth.


• Coordinate community team participation in professional societies and events, organize trade show presentations and support professional events to drive qualified leads.


• Partner with Executive Directors and sales teams to improve service delivery, resolve issues and ensure ongoing communication about referral opportunities and initiatives in progress.


• Develop and manage account plans, track referral activities and report progress, ensuring that contact records in the CRM system are current and accurate.


• Contribute to sales meetings, offer coaching and insights on business development and support training programs for staff on sales strategies and best practices.


• Monitor budgets and expenses, ensuring timely submission and adherence to internal controls and state regulations regarding admissions/discharges.


• Stay current on industry trends and legal regulations, attend relevant conferences and participate in ongoing training to enhance professional expertise.


• Maintain compliance in assigned required training and all training required by state/province or other regulating authorities as applicable to this role to ensure that Sunrise standards are always met.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

• Expertise in identifying, targeting, and nurturing key referral sources to drive continuous lead generation and business growth across multiple service lines.


• Strong ability to work collaboratively with internal teams, to drive initiatives, resolve issues and maintain ongoing communication to maximize referral opportunities.


• Proficient in developing account plans, tracking referral activity and reporting on progress to ensure goals are met, while maintaining accurate contact records in CRM systems.


• Skilled in mentoring and coaching sales teams to implement best practices in business development and professional outreach.

Experience and Qualifications

• College degree or equivalent experience strongly preferred.


• 3-5 years of experience in consultative business-to-business sales, particularly in healthcare or professional business development.


• Demonstrated success in account management with the ability to handle multiple priorities and drive business growth.


• Strong written and verbal communication abilities, including the capability to facilitate group presentations and engage with a wide range of audiences.


• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to adapt to changing business needs and effectively prioritize tasks.


• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment while demonstrating good decision-making and problem-solving skills.


• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Windows, Outlook, Excel), with the ability to quickly learn new applications.


• Flexibility to work independently, potentially during non-traditional hours, whether on the road or in a home-office environment.

Ready to take the next step and make a bigger impact than you ever imagined? As part of our team, you will help brighten the future for everyone at Sunrise and beyond. That is why we make it a priority to celebrate the unique ways you bring moments of togetherness and joy to everyone you serve. And when combined with the support, benefits, and growth opportunities we offer, the result is a career that PositivelyShines with everything you need to reach your goals – at work and in your life.

 

We also offer benefits and other compensation that include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and Disability Plans
• Retirement Savings Plans
• Employee Assistant Program / Discount Program
• Paid time off (PTO), sick time, and holiday pay
• myFlexPay offered to get paid within hours of a shift 
• Tuition Reimbursement
• In addition to base compensation, Sunrise may offer discretionary and/or non-discretionary bonuses. The eligibility to receive such a bonus will depend on the employee’s position, plan/program offered by Sunrise at the time, and required performance pursuant to the plan/program.
• Some benefits have eligibility requirements

Apply today to learn why Sunrise Senior Living is a certified Great Place to Work®

Sunrise considers the health and safety of its residents, family members, and team members to be one of its highest priorities. Employment with Sunrise is conditioned on completing and passing a drug test (which does not include marijuana), participating in testing requirements (e.g. Tuberculosis Test, Physical Evaluation). Covid-19 and Influenza vaccination is only required to the extent mandated by applicable federal, state, and local laws and authorities.

Selected candidates will be offered competitive compensation based on geographic location of community/office, skills, experience, qualifications, and certifications/licenses (where applicable).