Business Development Manager (Los Angeles, CA)

This is an exciting opportunity to join a globally recognized design practice as the Business Development Manager for the West Coast. Based in Los Angeles, this role offers the chance to shape and expand the firm’s presence across the Western United States by cultivating high-value client relationships and driving strategic growth initiatives. You will play a key part in translating the studio’s design vision and thought leadership into compelling outreach, partnering closely with senior leadership to advance long-term business strategy and position the firm as a preferred collaborator in the hospitality and luxury development markets.
Key Responsibilities Strengthen the firm’s market presence across the West Coast, with a focus on California, Mexico, and Hawaii, with particular emphasis on luxury hospitality and branded residential sectors.
Identify and pursue new opportunities within hospitality verticals including luxury hotels, resorts, boutique hospitality, mixed-use developments, and F&B-driven environments.
Cultivate relationships with hotel operators, ownership groups, hospitality developers, asset managers, and global hospitality brands.
Represent the firm confidently and professionally as a visible ambassador across all West Coast markets.
Enhance brand visibility and support marketing-aligned growth initiatives within the hospitality and luxury development sectors.
Collaborate with the marketing team to align business development efforts with brand strategy, campaigns, and hospitality-focused positioning.
Support hospitality thought leadership initiatives, industry panels, awards submissions (e.g., hospitality design awards), client communications, and strategic partnerships.
Attend key hospitality and real estate industry events, conferences, and networking functions—demonstrating strong judgment on which engagements provide the greatest strategic value.
Monitor hospitality market trends, competitive activity, brand expansions, operator movements, and pipeline opportunities to inform strategic decisions.
Maintain active knowledge of major hospitality brands, management companies, ownership groups, and emerging lifestyle concepts.
Contribute to long-term growth planning and multi-year business development strategies alongside the Head of Business Development & Marketing and firm leadership, with clear hospitality growth targets.
Build and maintain strategic relationships with prospective and existing hospitality clients, partners, consultants, and industry leaders.
Develop tailored proposals, hospitality-specific pitch decks, and qualification packages for hotel and resort opportunities.
Apply strong storytelling and brand awareness to articulate the firm’s design philosophy, hospitality expertise, differentiators, and commercial value.
Ensure consistent messaging, tone, and visual identity across all business development materials.
Participate in client meetings, interviews, and presentations, both virtually and in person, including hotel brand interviews and competitive hospitality pitches.
Serve as a charismatic and polished “face of the brand,” demonstrating strong presence and the ability to navigate high-level hospitality environments with ease.
Skills and Experience 5–7+ years of experience in business development, marketing, client relations, or strategic growth roles within architecture, interior design, real estate development, hospitality, or luxury residential sectors.
Demonstrated experience working directly within the hospitality industry, ideally with exposure to luxury hotels, resorts, lifestyle brands, or mixed-use developments.
Strong understanding of the hospitality development lifecycle—from concept and brand positioning through operator selection, design, and delivery.
Familiarity with major hospitality brands, operators, ownership groups, and consultants across the West Coast and Mexico markets.
Experience representing a firm or brand in hospitality-focused, external-facing capacities.
Proven ability to originate, pursue, and secure new hospitality business opportunities.
Contribute to long term growth planning and multiyear business development strategies alongside the Head of Business Development & Marketing and firm leadership.
Strategic thinker with the ability to support long-range hospitality market positioning and future brand alignment strategies.
Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the charisma and personality needed to build trust and rapport quickly within hospitality circles.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple concurrent hospitality pursuits and pipelines.
Deep industry knowledge of high-end hospitality design, development landscapes, and global brand expectations.
Serve as a charismatic and polished “face of the brand,” demonstrating strong presence and the ability to navigate high level rooms with ease.
Strategic relationship builder with refined judgment on cultivating and expanding networks within the hospitality ecosystem.
Marketing background or hospitality brand experience is a plus.
Willingness to travel for hospitality client meetings, brand interviews, site visits, presentations, and industry events.
Bonus structure (based on performance)
Private medical health coverage
401(k)
15 days of vacation in addition to public holidays
One additional vacation day for the employee’s birthday
Paid time off between Christmas and New Year’s

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