After graduating from the University of Vermont, Jon Kilik began developing story ideas with his friend Paul Mones. Although their first script got sold but never got released, Kilik later produced The Beat in 1988 which was written and directed by Jones. Prior to the release of The Beat, Kilik also worked as a second assistant director for movies such as Crocodile Dundee (1986) and Raising Arizona (1987).
Following The Beat's release, Kilik ventured into production and has been associated with films such as Malcolm X (1992), Pleasantville (1998), Summer of Sam (1999), Inside Man (2006), Babel (2006), The Hunger Games series, and Free State of Jones (2016). His 2017 release includes the biographical war drama film Thank You for Your Service directed by Jason Hall.