We are seeking a Business Development Director to lead new business growth from our Los Angeles studio under the direction of our Principals and Partners. This role is focused first and foremost on developing business leads: identifying potential clients within each of our business sectors, reaching out with tailored qualifications packages, and following up to secure meetings and interviews where SPD can present its work. The Director will also manage our new business portals, track relevant public and private solicitations, and write the proposals that carry qualified opportunities through to submission and award.
Responsibilities
Lead Generation and Outreach
- Identify potential clients within each of SPD’s business sectors, along with the decision-makers inside those organizations
- Prepare and send tailored outreach and capabilities packages, then follow up consistently to set up meetings and interviews where SPD can present its qualifications
- Research the market to generate a steady pipeline of new leads, including planned capital projects, developer pipelines, and agency budgets
- Build and maintain relationships with clients, architects, developers, contractors, fabricators, and teaming partners
- Attend new business and networking events, industry conferences, and pre-proposal meetings
Opportunity Tracking and Proposals
- Manage SPD’s new business portals and procurement registrations, monitoring them regularly for relevant opportunities to pursue
- Evaluate opportunities and recommend which to pursue, then lead the response to RFPs, RFQs, and SOQs as required
- Write proposals, cover letters, and related sales materials that respond clearly to each client’s design service needs
Strategy and Reporting
- Analyze market conditions and recommend ways to strengthen SPD’s market position and support the firm’s financial growth
- Present and consult with the partners on business trends, and present SPD’s branding philosophy and services with confidence
- Contribute to sales, marketing, PR, and social media strategies as needed
- Attend weekly marketing meetings with the partners and weekly global marketing calls with colleagues across offices
- Maintain accurate pipeline records in our CRM and provide weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports on prospects, proposals submitted, new business won, and events attended
Qualifications
- 4+ years of business development experience with an architecture, design, engineering, or environmental graphic design firm, with a proven record of generating leads and winning work
- Established relationships with clients, architects, developers, and public agencies across the West Coast, with sector experience in transportation, higher education, healthcare, sports and entertainment, mixed-use, or civic work
- Experience navigating public procurement, including vendor portals, SBE/WBE/DBE requirements, and RFP, RFQ, and SOQ responses
- Excellent writing skills, with the ability to produce clear, persuasive proposals and correspondence
- Confident presenter who is comfortable leading client meetings and shortlist interviews
- Working knowledge of AI tools such as Claude and ChatGPT, and the ability to use them effectively for research, lead identification, proposal drafting, and day-to-day productivity
- Proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Keynote, and Microsoft Office is required; experience with a CRM such as HubSpot is preferred
- Highly organized and self-directed, with the ability to manage multiple pursuits and deadlines at once
- Willingness to travel for client meetings, interviews, and industry events
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, design, architecture, or a related field