Business Development Leader P5

Graef Anhalt Schloemer & Assoc; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training, Mentorship, and Leadership –

Flexible Hours/Hybrid Schedule

Free parking

Paid Parental Leave

Paid Time Off

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

Casual Dress

Job summary

GRAEF in Chicago, IL is seeking a dynamic Business Development Leader to expand and manage technical markets, with a focus on establishing client relationships across higher education, healthcare, corporate, and municipal sectors.

The role requires a minimum of 8 years in technical market development, proven leadership, and licensure preferences (PE or AICP PLA). Hybrid work is available with a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, urban planning or landscape architecture.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience developing and managing a technical market or business development, along with selling technical services to architectural and municipal clients in IL.
• Experience in business development planning, including strategic business plans, marketing activities, client development, presentations and proposals.
• Established architectural relationships strongly preferred.
• Technical project management experience is desired.
• Proven leadership experience is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Be Hands-On & Innovative: stay engaged in the design process while maintaining billable hour responsibilities.
• Take Charge of Game-Changing Projects: lead projects by setting priorities, objectives, and overseeing financial performance.
• Be a Go-To Expert: serve as a key technical resource for multi-disciplined teams.
• Own the Room: present to clients, negotiate contracts, and cultivate relationships.
• Thrive in a Fast-Paced, Evolving Industry: juggle priorities with adaptability and strategic thinking.

Skills

Business development

Leadership

Marketing activities

Client development

Proposal development

Presentation experience

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, urban planning or landscape architecture

Professional PE or AICP PLA license

Tools

License in engineering/urban planning

Job description

Elevate Your Career with GRAEF – A Top Workplace!

Are you ready to make an impact in the AEC industry while working for a company that values innovation, relationships, and professional growth? At GRAEF, we’ve been shaping communities and careers since 1961. We don’t just design buildings and infrastructure—we build lasting connections, invest in our people, and drive excellence every step of the way.

We’re looking for dynamic, results-driven Business Development Leaders to join our Chicago, IL office. This is an incredible opportunity for highly networked, forward-thinking professionals to expand our presence, and maintain strong client relationships, whether your expertise is in a higher education, healthcare, corporate office, mixed-use, and industrial markets, or roads, highway, bridge, or municipal. If you thrive on strategy, relationship building, and technical excellence, we want you on our team!

At GRAEF, we don’t just offer jobs—we build careers that matter. If you’re ready to bring your expertise, energy, and vision to a team that’s redefining what’s possible, we’d love to hear from you!

What You'll Do

• Be Hands-On & Innovative

Stay engaged in the design process while maintaining relatable billable hour responsibilities, ensuring your technical expertise directly contributes to project success.

• Take Charge of Game-Changing Projects

Lead projects by setting priorities, developing objectives, and overseeing the financial performance to deliver high-impact solutions that shape communities.

• Be a Go-To Expert

Serve as a key technical resource for multi-disciplined teams, providing insights and leadership.

• Own the Room

Present to clients with confidence, negotiate contracts like a pro, and cultivate relationships that drive long-term success.

• Thrive in a Fast-Paced, Evolving Industry

Juggle multiple priorities with ease, stay ahead of trends, and bring adaptability and strategic thinking to every challenge.

Our selection process will include candidates who meet the following minimum qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, urban planning or landscape architecture.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience developing and managing a technical market or business development, along with selling technical services to architectural and municipal clients in IL.
• Success in business development planning, including developing strategic business plans, marketing activities, client development, presentation experience and proposal development.
• Established architectural relationships strongly preferred.
• Technical project management experience is desired.
• Professional PE or AICP PLA license.
• Proven leadership experience is highly preferred.

We are proud to offer a complete benefit package to include:

• The salary range for this position is $125,000-$155,000. (Salary to be determined by the applicant's education, experience and skill set, as well as internal and external equity.
• Training, Mentorship, and Leadership Development programs
• A team atmosphere dedicated to open communications and collaboration
• Flexible Hours/Hybrid Schedule
• Embed yourself in the community by participating in numerous outside activities that GRAEF endorses and supports
• Free parking
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Time Off
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Plans
• Retirement Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Casual Dress

An Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer - Disabled/Vets

Accessibility: If you need an accommodation as part of the employment process, please contact Human Resources at:
Phone: [phone] / Email: [e-mail]

An Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer - Disabled/Vets

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