Business Development Director

Selbert Perkins Design (SPD) is seeking a Business Development Director to lead new business growth from our Los Angeles studio under the direction of our Principals and Partners. This role is focused first and foremost on developing business leads: identifying potential clients within each of our business sectors, reaching out with tailored qualifications packages, and following up to secure meetings and interviews where PSD can present its work. The Director will also manage our new business portals, track relevant public and private solicitations, and write the proposals that carry qualified opportunities through to submission and award.
Selbert Perkins Design is an internationally recognized, women-owned design firm specializing in signage, wayfinding, branding, and placemaking with studios in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Shanghai. Our work spans transportation, higher educations, healthcare, sports and entertainment, mixed-use and retail, hospitality, civic, and corporate environments.
Responsibilities Lead Generation and Outreach Identify potential clients within each of SPD's business sectors, along with decision-makers inside those organizations
Prepare and send tailored outreach and capabilities packages, the follow up consistently to set up meetings and interviews where SPD can present its qulifications
Research the market to generate a steady pipeline of new leads, including planned capital projects, developer pipelines, and agency budgets
Build and maintain relationships with clients, architects, developers, contractors, fabricators, and teaming partners
Attend new business and networking events, industry conferences, and pre-proposal meetings
Opportunity Tracking and Propsals Manage SPD's new business portals and procurement registrations, monitoring them regularly for relevant opportunities to pursue
Evaluate opportunities and recommend with to pursue, then lead the response to RFPs, RFQs, and SOQs as required
Write proposals, cover letters, and related sales materials that respond clearly to each client's design service needs
Strategy and Reporting Analyze market conditions and recommend ways to strengthen SPD's market position and support the firm's financial growth
Present and consult with the partners on business trends, and present SPD's branding philosophy and services with confidence
Contribute to sales, marketing, PR, and social media strategies as needed
Attend weekly marketing meetings with the partners and weekly global marketing calls with colleagues across offices
Maintain accurate pipeline records in our CRM and provide weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports on prospects, proposals submitted, new business won, and events attended
Qualifications 4+ years of business development experience with an architecture, design, engineering, or environmental graphic design firm, with a proven record of generating leads and winning work
Established relationships with clients, architects, developers, and public agencies across the West Coast, with sector experience in transportation, higher education, healthcare, sports and entertainment, mixed-use, or civic work
Experience navigating public procurement, including vendor portals, SBE/WBE/DBE requirements and RFP, RFQ, and SOQ, responses
Excellent writing skills with the ability to produce clear, persuasive proposals and correspondence
Confident presenter who is comfortable leading client meetings and shortlist interviews
Working knowledge of AI tools such as Claude and ChatGPT, and the ability to use them effectively for research, lead identification, proposal drafting, and day-to-day productivity
Proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Keynote, and Microsoft Office is required; experience with a CRM such as HubSpot is preferred
Highly organized and self-directed, with the ability to manage multiple pursuits and deadlines at once
Willingness to travel for client meetings, interviews, and industry events
Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, design, architecture, or a related field

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