Director of Business Development

SmithGroup is an award-winning, integrated design firm that blends research, data and technology with innovation 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 move us closer to a carbon-free future. Care to join us?

The Detroitoffice of SmithGroupis looking for aDirector of Business Developmentto join our team. SmithGroup has been named one of Southeast Michigan's Top Workplaces by the Detroit Free Press for10 consecutive years!

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 write key proposal sections for top 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.
• 7+ years of experience in Business Development, including 3+ years in the AEC 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 as well as experience using Deltek Vision.

SmithGroup's competitive compensation and benefit package is designed to meet the needs of a diverse staff. It includes flexible scheduling, a hybrid work environment, 401(k), parental leave, wellbeing resources, PTO immediately available to new hires, plus 15 extra Fridays off - on top of holidays. Join us and see first-hand how these and other programs - like one-on-one career coaching and professional development opportunities - build culture, enhance collaboration and yield richer, more inclusive solutions.

If you are not sure that you meet all of the suggested qualifications described above, please don't leave this page. Your talents and attributes could be just what we're looking for - and we strongly encourage you to apply. If you need additional accommodations to complete the application process, please contact careers@smithgroup.com