Marketing + Business Development Studio Lead

DIALOG-DESING; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading design firm in Edmonton is seeking a Marketing + Business Development Studio Lead to oversee local marketing efforts, manage team performance, and drive firm growth. The ideal candidate will possess a university degree, 12+ years of related experience, and a strong background in the A/E industry. This full-time hybrid role offers competitive benefits, including parental leave top-up, RRSP matching, and a focus on work/life balance.

Benefits

Parental leave top-up

RRSP matching

Medical and dental benefits

Vacation Buy-Up program

Qualifications

• 12+ years' progressive business experience including 2+ years managing others.
• 6+ years of A/E industry experience in a similar role with hands-on experience running AEC proposals.
• Experience multitasking in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage a local team of marketing and communication specialists.
• Lead assessment, coordination, and quality management of proposals.
• Develop and execute strategic marketing plans.

Skills

Business acumen

Strategic thinking

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Storytelling

Education

University degree in Business, Communications, Marketing, or equivalent

Tools

MS Office

CRM systems

Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign)

Job description

Marketing + Business Development Studio Lead

Overview

Edmonton, AB Marketing and Communications – Proposals and Business Development / Full Time / Hybrid Here at DIALOG, we are passionate about design and believe it can and should meaningfully improve the wellbeing of our communities and the environment we all share. We are a multi-disciplinary collaborative of architects, interior designers, urban designers and planners, structural, mechanical and electrical engineers, landscape architects and sustainability experts who design for community wellbeing and urban vibrancy. We are a fun-loving bunch of big thinkers and city-shapers, who are collaborative in our approach, diverse in our perspectives, aspirational in our pursuits, and optimistic about what’s next. We’re always looking for passionate people who share our values and care as much about our communities as we do. We\'re proud to be a and one of , committed to using our design practice as a force for good in the world. Explore and join us!

The Marketing and Business Development (MBD) Lead for the Edmonton region will get it done! Working in collaboration with the practice-wide MarCom team, you will manage a local team of marketing and communication specialists to plan, coordinate, and deliver marketing, communications, and business development efforts. The ideal candidate is a skilled communications and management professional with proven experience in the AEC proposal process. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic individual who can own projects, comfortably work within all levels of the firm, and has experience coaching others to deliver their best. In addition to overseeing your team, you will also collaborate closely with relevant Chairs, practice and region group members, marketing and communications team members, and other stakeholders. MBD Leads play a pivotal role in researching, developing, planning, and executing a cohesive and integrated strategy for growth. You will report regularly to the region’s leaders, delivering sound recommendations and ensuring alignment with strategic objectives. Under your guidance, the studio will increase its profile, entrench itself in the community, expand its network of potential clients and collaborators, identify networking opportunities, tell amazing stories and win strategically aligned work. You will be responsible for understanding the local market needs and changing the conversation about architecture, engineering and design helping us lead the local discussion that’s aligned to our strategic plan. In addition to the Edmonton regional responsibilities, a MBD Lead\'s portfolio may also include other groups to support and ad hoc duties as assigned. Are you up for the challenge to help us tell our story and win work?

Responsibilities

• Be the regional expert, researching and understanding Edmonton’s regional portfolio and opportunities and sharing them with practice groups and other MarCom team members.
• Lead assessment, go-no-go decision making, coordination, and quality management of proposals led from the Edmonton region.
• Support your team on large pursuits and / or proposals including writing / editing content, graphic design, layout, preparing presentation portfolios, and providing strategic interview support – be able to step in when necessary to keep everyone on track!
• Maintain market pipeline information and data on client cultivation and engagement information the CRM and other systems.
• Facilitate local Partner meetings and lead discussions as they pertain to regional business development opportunities and local activity.
• Coach and develop a local team of MBD and proposal specialists to ensure our practice-wide MarCom and business development strategy is consistently applied across the region and be able to report on the local activity.
• Lead the development of a regional MBD strategy and plan including annual budget development and sales revenue targets. Work with Financial Operations to define and track return on investment and other financial metrics and criteria.
• Work with teams to prioritize and action award applications, project photography, conference participation, sponsorships, donations and other stakeholder and client engagement initiatives.
• Participate in co-lead, coordinate and / or project manage key firm-hosted events.
• Collaborate with functional leads (People + Culture, Technology, Finance, and Operations etc.) to support internal MBD initiatives.
• Leverage your organizational skills, communication and presentation flair, and be comfortable in negotiating with leaders, peers and team to grow our brand and win more work. Provide presentation support to the region.

Who you are

• Highly creative, adept at managing others, while simultaneously meeting deadlines and managing multiple projects and people.
• Strong business acumen, strategic thinking skills, judgment, and knowledge of selling services within B2B professional services.
• A resolution enthusiast who loves finding common ground and getting everyone on the same page to share in the success.
• Loves change and the opportunities it can present; can find order out of chaos.
• Have your finger on the pulse of current global events and local happenings, possessing the skills to identify and leverage hot opportunities to pull DIALOG to the forefront of design thinking and thought leadership discussions.
• Knows what it takes to win business and thrive in a fast-paced, owner / partner-led environment.
• Brings fresh thinking as a self-starter who seeks constructive feedback while leading projects and your team with minimal supervision.
• Possess the ability to make sound judgement, using tact and diplomacy along with a positive attitude and the ability to work under pressure.
• Can work in a matrixed environment and integrates sector plans into a cohesive and balanced regional plan.
• Have an established network in the region with a track record of generating opportunities for design-led architecture firms.
• Will quickly learn DIALOG’s portfolio of work, practice areas, and capabilities.

Skills and Qualifications

• University degree in Business, Communications, Marketing, or equivalent.
• 12+ years’ experience progressive business experience including 2+ years managing others.
• 6+ years of A / E industry experience in similar role with hands on experience running and producing complex AEC pursuits and proposals.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office and CRM systems.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite specifically InDesign.
• Experience multitasking in a fast-paced environment, coordinating a broad range of stakeholders from senior-level partners to other design professionals and external consultants in the context of rapid and frequent deadlines.
• Experience leading, developing and executing strategic marketing plans in times of change that get results.
• Solid experience leading, developing and executing strategy and plans in times of change that get results.
• Advanced experience in design and layout of proposal materials and best practices for brand development and application.
• Proven experience developing staff and managing a variety of employees at every age and stage of development.
• Excellent storytelling skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and able to build relationships across different audiences.

Don’t meet every single requirement? We still encourage you to apply! We’re looking for future DIALOGers who are eager to learn, bring unique perspectives, and want to make a real difference in the world—even if your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification. Perks & Benefits Parental leave top-up programs for all parents upon the birth or adoption of a child, RRSP matching, competitive medical and dental benefits coverage upon the first day of employment, discounted memberships, encouraged work / life balance with gifted time off during the holiday season and Vacation Buy-Up program, and reimbursement for professional memberships and dues are just a few of the benefits that DIALOGers enjoy. Professional Development DIALOG offers continued professional growth through leadership development opportunities specifically designed for our collaborative culture. Among others, some of our programs include : CoachDIALOG which equips our coaches with essential communication and feedback strategies for building great teams; Integrateducation supports DIALOGers in accredited continuing education opportunities; technical skills development via e-learning pathways; and financial support for relevant external learning opportunities.