Business Development Director

HDR; Folsom (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Employee assistance program

Paid time away

Parental leave

Paid holidays

Retirement plan with employer match

Employee referral bonus

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

HDR is seeking a seasoned Business Development Director to lead the Civic + Justice Architecture practice in the region. You will develop and win new business with civic organizations, collaborate with national leaders, and help shape HDR's presence in the market.

The role emphasizes strategic pursuit planning, client engagement, and mentoring regional leaders, with travel as needed, and a compensation range aligned with market expectations.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years relevant industry experience.
• Self-starter with a track record of delivering projects with limited oversight.
• Deep knowledge of the A/E/C industry's standard approach to procurement of professional services.
• Ability to motivate others and build a network of clients and industry partners.
• Experience in sales and developing effective win strategies.
• Strong financial acumen and negotiation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability and desire to travel and engage with others in-person.
• Demonstrated experience in growing programs in new or highly competitive markets and winning high-value contracts.

Responsibilities

• Grow and develop the civic architecture practice in the region.
• Develop and win new business relationships with civic organizations.
• Support HDR’s marketing and business development efforts to win business, including proposal strategy, proposal writing and interview presentations.
• Engage with clients and collaborate with project and regional leadership.
• Capture Planning and Client Development Planning.
• Mentor emerging leaders in client development and pursuit strategy.

Skills

Self-starter

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Willing to travel

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM software

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe architecture is more than designing buildings, it’s about providing solutions to societal challenges and creating stronger, more vibrant communities. As part of our Architecture practice at HDR, you’ll contribute to the design and delivery of spaces and experiences that advance community well-being around the world. From healing environments and learning spaces to research labs and civic landmarks and infrastructure, your work will directly influence how individuals experience the world around them. We bring together architects, planners, designers, and technical experts to solve complex design challenges with creativity, curiosity, and collaboration. From championing design excellence with an emphasis on resilience and sustainability to pioneering innovative building technologies, your contributions will leave a lasting impact on the built environment. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to drive meaningful change and help define the future of our communities.

We are in search of a Business Development Director to join our growing Civic + Justice Architecture practice and continue the legacy of providing our clients and communities with creative design solutions that improve the health and human condition of those they serve.

The primary responsibility of the Business Development Director is to grow and develop the civic architecture practice in the region. The successful candidate will focus on developing and winning new business relationships and opportunities with civic organizations and related institutions in the local and the regional market.

Business Development, Marketing and Practice Growth:

• Experience in the local and regional Civic + Justice market to aid local Managing Principal in growing those practices
• Collaboration with our national civic architecture leaders.
• Create and support new or ongoing business opportunities for civic architecture practice.
• Support HDR’s marketing and business development efforts to win business, including proposal strategy, proposal writing and interview presentations.
• Elevate and represent the HDR brand across the region by attending conferences and other professional business events.
• Bring energy, excitement and fun to a thriving practice.
• Add value to the region to engage with the civic program strategically.

Client Management and Project Delivery Responsibilities:

• Enjoy working directly with clients.
• Direct client engagement and collaborate with project and regional leadership.
• Prioritize efforts strategically to elevate the skillsets/needs of each office leader to identify client opportunities, pursuit specific requirements, and market awareness.
• Capture Planning and Client Development Planning.
• Cross mentoring Civic + Justice Principals and mentoring emerging leaders interested in client development, business development, and pursuit strategy.
• Help keep our staff sharp, trained and effective for client development and interview requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field
• Maintain a professional registration or certificate
• Civic + Justice experience in local and regional markets
• Business development and client engagement in architecture industry in multiple geographies for multiple disciplines

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of 15 years relevant industry experience
• Demonstrated "self-starter" with a history of completing projects with limited oversight
• Deep knowledge of the A/E/C industry's standard approach to procurement of professional services
• Demonstrated ability to motivate and inspire others
• Demonstrated ability to build a network of clients and industry partners
• Experience in sales and developing effective win strategies
• Strong financial acumen and negotiation skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Ability and desire to travel and engage with others in-person
• Demonstrated experience in growing programs in new or highly competitive markets
• Demonstrated experience in winning high-value contracts in the A/E/C industry
• Demonstrated experience in writing compelling content based on information from technical staff

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success.

• medical
• dental
• vision
• short and long-term disability
• life insurance
• an employee assistance program
• paid time away
• parental leave
• paid holidays
• a retirement savings plan with employer match
• employee referral bonus
• tuition reimbursement

The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) Anticipated pay: $175,000-225,000

Primary Location: United States-California-Sacramento

Other Locations: United States-California-Folsom

Industry: Architecture

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

BusinessClass: Justice ARC

Job Posting: Sep 22, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affiliated Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.