Architectural Business Development Specialist

Overview:

The Architectural Business Development Specialist plays a critical role in driving growth and expanding opportunities for Carrier Johnson + Culture within the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry. This position is responsible for identifying new business opportunities, coordinating pursuit efforts, and ensuring strategic alignment through Go/No-Go assessments. The specialist will work closely with Market Sector Leaders, firm leadership, and project teams to develop winning strategies, support proposal development, and enhance firmwide business development initiatives.

Pursuit Strategy & Go/No-Go Coordination:

• Lead the initial Go/No-Go assessment process, evaluating opportunities based on strategic fit, project viability, and firm capabilities.
• Collaborate with Market Sector Leaders and Principals to ensure alignment on prioritized pursuits within key market sectors (Multi-family Residential, Mixed-use, Hospitality, Civic, Higher Education, Science & Technology, Corporate, Interiors, and Affordable Housing)
• Establish a structured evaluation process to track and assess potential projects before engaging the marketing team.

Upfront Pursuit & Proposal Coordination:

• Manage pre-pursuit strategy and coordination of proposal efforts before formal marketing involvement.
• Organize and facilitate internal strategy discussions to determine positioning, approach, and team composition for potential pursuits.
• Work with architects, designers, and technical staff to ensure proposals effectively communicate the firms design expertise, project experience, and thought leadership.
• Gather and coordinate necessary materials for RFQs, RFPs, and SOQs, ensuring a seamless transition to the marketing team for proposal production.

Market Research & Lead Generation:

• Conduct in-depth market research to identify emerging project opportunities, development trends, and evolving client needs in the AEC industry.
• Develop lead generation strategies, identifying key contacts, potential partners, and industry collaborations to support firm growth.
• Maintain an updated database of upcoming projects, industry developments, and firm capabilities alignment with market demand.

Sales Pipeline & Data Management:

• Maintain accurate records of leads, pursuits, and project opportunities using Deltek Vantagepoint (firms CRM platform).
• Track pipeline progress, win/loss data, and ROI of business development efforts, providing regular reports to firm leadership.
• Work with leadership to refine business development strategies based on data-driven insights, market intelligence, and industry trends.
• Own and manage all Lead/Opportunity input through Deltek Vantagepoint, ensuring data integrity and consistency across the firm.

Collaboration with Marketing & Communications Team:

• Support the marketing team by providing market intelligence, client insights, and pursuit positioning for proposals and promotional materials.
• Assist in developing targeted messaging, content strategies, and presentations to enhance business development efforts.
• Ensure brand consistency and strategic alignment between business development, marketing campaigns, and firmwide thought leadership efforts.

Business Development Meetings & Coordination:

• Lead and manage weekly Business Development Meetings with Market Sector Leaders to review opportunities, assess pursuit strategies, and align efforts across sectors.
• Facilitate discussions on emerging leads, industry shifts, competitive landscape, and key client relationships to optimize firmwide business development strategies.
• Support Principal-level engagement with developers, municipalities, and other AEC professionals through targeted outreach efforts.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelors degree in Architecture, Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in business development, sales, or marketing within the AEC industry (architecture, engineering, construction, or real estate development).
• Strong understanding of architectural design principles, construction processes, municipal planning approvals, and industry standards.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and organizational skills with the ability to engage with developers, public agencies, and industry partners.
• Ability to analyze opportunities and make strategic recommendations based on market insights and firm capabilities.
• Proficiency in Deltek Vantagepoint (CRM), Microsoft Office Suite, and industry research tools.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities effectively in a deadline-driven environment.

Reporting Structure:

The Business Development Specialist will report to a senior member of the Marketing & Business Development team and work closely with Market Sector Leaders, architects, designers, and firm leadership to support strategic growth initiatives.

Additional Considerations:

• Occasional travel may be required for client meetings, site visits, industry conferences, and networking events.
• Flexibility in working hours may be necessary to accommodate client schedules, proposal deadlines, and industry events.
• Ongoing training and support will be provided to ensure the Business Development Specialist has the tools, resources, and industry knowledge to succeed.