Proposal and Business Development Lead- Architecture

J.L. Richards & Associates Limited; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

RRSP/DPSP matching

Parental leave top-up

Merit/ profit bonus program

Job summary

J.L. Richards & Associates Limited is seeking a Proposal and Business Development Lead in Architecture to drive high-quality architectural proposals and shape pursuits from inception to completion.

You will lead multi-disciplinary teams, define strategy, and nurture client relationships across our Ottawa-area offices. With 10+ years in proposals, you’ll collaborate with leadership to deliver world-class solutions while growing our client base and community impact.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience developing high-quality architectural proposals.
• Ability to define pursuit strategy, scope, resources, and fees.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing the development of comprehensive multi-disciplinary proposals.
• Defining pursuit strategy from the outset, including scope, resource allocation, and fee structure.
• Acquiring in-depth knowledge of JLR’s value proposition, portfolio, and market presence.
• Collaborating with the Buildings Market, Marketing & Proposals team and discipline leads to develop competitive submissions.
• Leading architectural go/no-go decisions and coordinating with Buildings Market Director to prioritise pursuits.
• Facilitating relationship-building initiatives with key clients, partners, and decision makers.
• Coaching and mentoring staff.

Skills

Proposal development

Business development

Architectural proposals

Job description

Proposal and Business Development Lead- Architecture

Aug 20, 2026

We’ve opened a role in any of our offices for a talented, entrepreneurial Proposal and Business Development Lead to work alongside exceptional people in JLR’s Architecture group.

Pop Quiz:

• Do you thrive on translating complex technical work into compelling, winnable pursuits?
• Are you the calm, strategic voice in go/no‑go decisions?
• Would you rather shape the pursuit than deliver the project?
• Do you bring 10+ years of experience developing high‑quality architectural proposals?

If you scoredfourforfour, JLR has a home for you! You’ll be supported by a Platinum Club member of Canada’s Best Managed Companies program,100% employee-owned firm that has a long-established reputation for quality services in multiple sectors, while you take on existing clients, develop new relationships, and deliver world-class, innovative solutions that support community building and growth in our cities.

JLR is a creative, tight-knit, and mentorship-focused community with unique opportunities for driven people with tenacity and spirit. Our organization is made up of diverse employee owners with specialized expertise in a wide range of disciplines. Joining the JLR team means joining a dynamic group of innovative architecture, engineering, and planning professionals and support staff. You’ll have the opportunity to help establish new clients and partner with existing ones to develop insightful solutions and see projects through from inception to completion.

If you’re innovative and collaborative, thrive when presented with new challenges, and are eager to take your career in new directions, then JLR is the right environment for you.

Your Role as a Proposal and Business Development Lead:

Choose your own adventure! Let’s talk about how your skills, experience, goals, and passions can find a home at JLR. As a Proposal & Business Development Lead, your role will include:

• Overseeing the development of comprehensive multi-disciplinary proposals.
• Defining pursuit strategy from the outset, including scope, resource allocation, and fee structure.
• Acquiring in-depth knowledge of JLR’s value proposition, portfolio, and market presence.
• Collaborating closely with the Director of the Buildings Market, Marketing & Proposals team and discipline leads to develop high-quality, competitive submissions.
• Leading architectural go/no-go decisions and coordinating with Buildings Market Director to prioritise pursuits.
• Facilitating relationship-building initiatives with key clients, partners, and decision makers.
• Coaching and mentoring staff.

Why Join Us?

We live, work, breathe, sleep, and thrive in the communities we build. We love northern Ontario and the glorious bounty of the natural world and we’re proud of our reputation and longevity in the National Capital and Kingston regions. Furthermore, we’re growing our presence in southwestern Ontario and all along the Great Lakes of Ontario.

We foster a friendly, welcoming, and team-oriented atmosphere that encourages innovation and collaboration. We have an established depth of technical and support resources that can efficiently and effectively deliver small and large multidisciplinary projects. We provide flexible career direction with opportunities to choose your own path and interesting and exciting assignments ranging in size and type.

• Share ownership opportunities at all levels
• Merit and profit bonus program
• Competitive salaries reviewed annually

Work-life Balance and Employee Wellness

• Immediate health and dental benefits
• RRSP/DPSP matching program
• Parental leave top-up program
• Fun Funds to plan extracurricular social events

Community Engagement and Social Responsibility

JLR welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

At JLR, each of us contributes to inclusion and we all have a role to play. Our culture is the result of our behaviours, our personal commitment, our curiosity, how we collaborate, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. In turn, our environment inspires us to try new things, speak openly, and be bold. It brings us together in ways that help us stand out. Our inclusive culture empowers all of us to connect, belong, and grow. Learn more about our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion .

Ottawa, Kingston, Sudbury, Timmins, North Bay, Guelph, London