Business Development Director, EMEA/APAC

BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group; København; On-site; DKK 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group is seeking a Business Development Director to lead new project pursuits across EMEA markets from Copenhagen. The role focuses on market development, client engagement, and hands-on pursuit leadership for Europe, Asia, Middle East, and Australia/NZ.

You will manage the BD team, prioritize opportunities, and ensure the standards and processes across BIG Architecture and BIG Landscape are upheld. The position is based in Copenhagen HQ and reports to the Managing Director.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in a similar or related position in the relevant markets.
• Deep understanding of the EMEA/APAC markets.
• Fluency in English; excellent written and verbal communication.
• Experience leading client meetings and proposals.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, InDesign, CRM systems.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in architecture or related field of study.

Responsibilities

• Manage a strong pipeline for BIG CPH’s markets in Europe, Asia, Middle East and Australia/NZ.
• Run multiple simultaneous project pursuits from start to finish.
• Lead high level client meetings including presentations.
• Prepare and edit RFP and RFQ submissions and proposals.
• Present strategic ideas in submissions and teaming processes.
• Develop fee proposals and lead contract negotiations with clients and consultants.
• Maintain CRM databases and partner pipeline meetings.

Skills

EMEA/APAC market knowledge

Client relationship building

Strategic market development

English fluency

Project pursuit leadership

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in architecture or related field

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

InDesign

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

BIG is looking for a Business Development Director to join our Copenhagen team and lead new project pursuits across EMEA markets – covering parts of Europe, Asia, Middle East and Australia/NZ.

As Business Development Director, you will identify and be vetting new opportunities, develop market strategies in both existing and emerging markets and build and nurture client relationships. You will lead pursuits from initial opportunity through to project award, proactively develop BIG’s presence and network. Working closely with BIG’s Partners, the Managing Director in Copenhagen, and the wider Copenhagen leadership and operations teams.

As manager of the Business Development team covering EMEA/APAC, you will provide day-to-day leadership including developing team members, helping to prioritize opportunities, strengthen ways of working, and maintaining and developing BIGs standards and processes.

The role combines strategic market development, client engagement, relationship building, and hands-on project pursuit leadership, with a focus on identifying new frontiers and opportunities that can shape the future of our cities.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Managing and ensuring a strong pipeline for BIG CPHs markets in Europe, Asia, Middle East and Australia/NZ.
• Run multiple simultaneous potential project pursuits from start to finish.
• Lead high level Client meetings including presentations.
• Prepare and produce RFP and RFQ submittals, including creating and editing graphic and written content for proposals, interview presentations, pitch decks, and general business development materials.
• Present strategic ideas within the submission and teaming process that distinguish BIG´s submission.
• Run acquisition processes for a potential project, including the development of a fee proposal, lead subsequent contract negotiations with Clients and consultants. In collaboration with internal operations team members —such as Managing Director, Bidding, Finance, Legal, etc., and facilitate the handover of a project to a Design Team.
• Maintain and expand Client and collaborator connections Including hosting potential Clients; all in collaboration with Director, Associates or Partners.
• Initiate and lead proactive initiatives. Open new submarkets and lead new businesses for a submarket (i.e. region, typology, etc.) in collaboration with senior team members at BIG
• Represent BIG at events and conferences.
• Prepare regular status updates, partner pipeline meetings and maintain CRM databases.
• Give active support to- and mentor and train members of the Business Development Team.
• Owns team budget, headcount and efficiency initiatives; collaborates with other BIG offices.
• Owns escalation of complex operational topics

We're Looking for:

• 8+ years of experience in a similar or related position in the relevant markets.
• Deep understanding of the EMEA/APAC markets.
• Works with high autonomy; sets internal policies, workflows and reporting standards for the team.
• Ability to turn a project lead into a project.
• Understanding of architecture, design, and urban planning processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and fluency in English
• Strong organizational skills, the ability to meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign superuser), Microsoft Suite, AI and CRM systems.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in architecture or related field of study.

The position is full-time, based in BIG HQ in Copenhagen. You will be a part of a professional, experienced Business Development team and work closely with the Business Development Director for the Nordics and DACH, relevant partners and Operations departments, globally as well as locally, contributing to and driving the pipeline for BIG Architecture and BIG Landscape. You will report to the Managing Director at BIG CPH.

Diversity has been part of our DNA since BIG’s foundation. A multitude of cultures and backgrounds creates a new point of reference which leads to amazing insights. At BIG, we celebrate and support diversity because it makes our team, work and the built environment better. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and take affirmative action to employ equally regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

About BIG

Bjarke Ingels Group is among the most inventive architectural practices in the world. Founded in Copenhagen by Bjarke Ingels, it now numbers more than 750 architects, designers, engineers, urbanists, and thinkers across studios in Copenhagen, New York, London, Barcelona, Shanghai, Dubai, Los Angeles and Zurich

The firm works across the whole of the built environment under a framework LEAPP: Landscape, Engineering, Architecture, Product, and Planning. Its guiding philosophy, “pragmatic utopianism”, holds that architecture need not choose between idealism and rigour, and seeks instead the ground where the two meet. That outlook has yielded such buildings as CopenHill, VIA 57 West, the LEGO House, the Danish Maritime Museum, and Superkilen, with current commissions including Wildflower Studios in New York.

The firm is led by Founder and Creative Director Bjarke Ingels, Chief Executive Officer Sheela Maini Søgaard, and a partnership of senior architects and designers spread across its global studios.