Director of Business Development

Job Opportunity: Director of Business Development

About Precis

Precis Engineering Architecture (Precis) is a 150 person consulting firm with offices in Ambler, Pa., and Cary, N.C., offering comprehensive design services. Precis has been repeatedly recognized as a Best Place to Work by the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Position Overview

The Director of Business Development drives growth and expands market presence for a mid-size engineering and architecture firm specializing in pharmaceutical biotechnology, life sciences technology, higher education, industrial, corporate commercial, and healthcare markets. The role provides strategic leadership for firmwide business development and actively cultivates client relationships, identifies new opportunities, and supports pursuit strategies for complex, high-value projects. The role reports to the Chief Communications Officer (CCO) and collaborates with leadership and technical teams to align business development with the firm’s strategic goals and core expertise.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership Planning

• Develop and execute a comprehensive business development strategy focused on the Precis core markets and disciplines.
• Identify target clients, geographic markets, and growth opportunities.
• Track market trends, client capital spending, regulatory influences, and competitive landscape within core markets.
• Establish annual business development goals, KPIs, and forecasting metrics.
• Partner with marketing to guide branding, collateral materials development, thought leadership, advertising, and conference strategy.

Client Development Relationship Management

• Build and maintain senior-level relationships with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences, industrial, and higher education clients, including owners, developers, and industry partners.
• Serve as key point of contact for strategic accounts and priority clients.
• Lead client engagement efforts, including meetings, presentations, and industry events.
• Strengthen long-term relationships and partnerships to drive repeat business.

Pursuit Proposal Leadership

• Oversee major pursuits, including go/no-go decisions, pursuit strategy, and positioning.
• Collaborate with principals and project teams on proposals, qualifications, and interviews.
• Support negotiation of professional services agreements in coordination with leadership.

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and grow business development team.
• Improve and standardize business development processes, CRM usage, and reporting.
• Promote a proactive, client-focused business development culture across the firm.

Core Competencies:

• Strategic thinking and market insight.
• Relationship-driven sales approach.
• Collaborative leadership style.
• Strong business acumen and financial understanding.
• Ability to influence without direct authority.
• Results-oriented and accountable.

Qualifications:

• Degree in engineering, architecture, business, marketing, or a related field; advanced degree and/or professional licensure (e.g., PE, RA, AIA) a plus.
• 10 years of business development, client development, or strategic sales experience within the engineering, architecture, construction, or similar professional services firm.
• Experience and demonstrated success in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences, industrial, or higher education sectors.
• Strong understanding of A/E project delivery, procurement methods, and regulated facility environments.
• Proven ability to build senior-level client relationships and close complex, multi-disciplinary projects.
• Active industry engagement in relevant professional organizations (e.g., AIA, ISPE).
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Attention to detail, strong organization and time management, and ability to track and perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Detail and deadline-oriented, dependable, and self-motivated.
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed locally and overnight.

Why Join Precis?

• Be part of a collaborative, innovative team that values your ideas and expertise.
• Shape growth for a respected, specialized engineering and architecture firm.
• Enjoy a flexible, supportive work environment and competitive compensation package.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Precis provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.