Director of Business Development

SmithGroup is an integrated design firm with a reputation for cultivating a top-ranked culture while pioneering award-winning innovative design solutions. We blend research, data and technology with ingenuity and a creative spirit to deliver resilient, inclusive spaces that solve our clients' greatest challenges. Our teams create exceptional design solutions for healthcare, science and technology, workplace, mixed use, higher education, cultural, waterfront, parks and open spaces, and urban environments. We are looking for passionate problem solvers who want to elevate design, push boundaries and create a more resilient future.

The Chicago office of SmithGroup is looking for a Director of Business Development to join our team.

Working with us, you will:

• Lead the development of business development strategy by working alongside key partners.
• Monitor industry trends and collect market intelligence on clients and competitors by monitoring websites, collateral presentations, trade journals and discussion lists.
• Facilitate strategic partner collaborations including pre-positioning sessions and strategic alliances with partners like contractors, developers, organizations, or other key consultants.
• Perform market trends analysis and lead coordination of introductory meetings with prospective clients.
• Attend industry events for networking and relationship building.
• Participate in committees or other active roles in external industry-related organizations.
• Actively research project opportunities for associated studios through networking, personal relationships, cold calls, reading of publications, attending community events, and participating in industry organizations.
• Build and implement capture plans for key target clients.
• Collaborate with management and technical staff to identify project opportunities, strengthen current business ties and client relationships, and formulate business development strategies to expand SmithGroup market sectors.
• Conduct and analyze debrief surveys throughout the pursuit and project process.
• Update and maintain lead tracking databases with relevant information on targeted clients, contacts, and opportunities.
• Develop project pursuit strategies and position SmithGroup for projects before Requests for Proposals are issued.
• Actively engage in proposal strategy development and contribute to key proposal sections for target client pursuits.
• Lead and develop local events including client outreach, relationship building at events, and post-event follow up.
• Build and implement a strategy for conference engagement, industry/trade organizations, and memberships/sponsorships.
  
  

An ideal candidate has:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or related field, preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of related experience required, including a minimum of seven years of experience in the A/E/C industry.
• The ability to think creatively and strategically.
• Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills for effective presentations and interactions with internal/external clients.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Microsoft Teams
  
  

At SmithGroup, we are committed to helping our staff thrive with great projects and time to unwind. We offer flexible scheduling, a hybrid work environment, 3 weeks of PTO within your first year of employment with the option of purchasing additional time off, 8 paid federal holidays, plus 15 extra Fridays off! Our benefits plan includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, wellbeing resources, paid parental leave, a flex spending account and voluntary insurance options. We invest in your future through our 401(k) program with employer matching, tuition reimbursement program, one-on-one career coaching and professional development opportunities. While we may ultimately pay more or less than a posted salary range, at the time of posting the anticipated salary range for this position is $129,000 to $152,000 annually and you are eligible for a performance-based bonus each year. To be considered for this role, please create a profile and apply!

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to