Business Development Manager (Architecture)

The Crowd; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

401(k)

PTO

Professional development support

Job summary

The Crowd in Los Angeles is seeking a Business Development Manager to grow its local presence in the LA market. In this hybrid, full-time role you will lead partnerships with developers, owners, brokers, and project managers, turning market opportunities into new business.

You will manage a healthy pipeline with leadership, collaborate on proposals, and maintain CRM records to inform strategy. A strong LA network and 7–10+ years in architecture or built environment are preferred, along with

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of business development or client development experience in architecture or built environment.
• Established Los Angeles industry network with local market knowledge.
• Track record of generating project opportunities and pursuing wins for a professional services firm.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills; experience with RFP/RFQ responses and CRM tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a BD plan with studio leadership targeting LA and Southern California markets.
• Generate and qualify new leads through research, outreach, and industry relationships.
• Build lasting client relationships through meetings, events, and networking to open new opportunities.
• Collaborate on proposals, qualification packages, and client presentations with leadership and marketing.
• Maintain CRM and pipeline records to forecast revenue and inform decisions.

Skills

Relationship building

Market development

Strategic planning

Client outreach

CRM proficiency

Tools

CRM systems

Adobe InDesign

Job description

The Crowd is excited to be partnering with a globally recognized design and architecture practice seeking a Business Development Manager to help grow its Los Angeles presence. With a diverse portfolio and a collaborative team, this practice offers the opportunity to build new client relationships and play a meaningful role in shaping its local growth strategy. This is a full-time, hybrid position with four office-based days and Fridays working from home, alongside regular client meetings and industry events across the LA market.

The ideal candidate will be a proactive relationship builder with a strong understanding of the Los Angeles architecture and development landscape, an established local network, and experience turning market opportunities into new business. Working closely with senior leadership, you’ll take ownership of developing a healthy pipeline, connecting with prospective clients, and guiding opportunities through the pursuit process.

This role would suit someone who enjoys combining strategic thinking with hands‑on outreach and is ready to bring fresh energy and ideas to an ambitious studio. Benefits include comprehensive healthcare, 401(k), PTO, and professional development support.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and deliver a business development plan with studio leadership, identifying target clients, priority sectors, and opportunities for growth across Los Angeles and Southern California.
• Generate and qualify new leads through market research, targeted outreach, and relationships with developers, owners, brokers, project managers, and other industry contacts.
• Build lasting client relationships through meetings, networking events, and industry involvement, drawing on the practice’s wider portfolio and connections to open new doors.
• Collaborate with leadership and marketing teams on proposals, qualifications packages, and client presentations, helping shape persuasive messaging and prepare teams for interviews.
• Maintain accurate CRM and pipeline records, tracking prospective projects, follow‑up activity, revenue forecasts, and pursuit outcomes to inform business decisions.

Key Skills/Requirements:

• Approximately 7-10+ years of business development or client development experience within architecture or the wider built environment – relevant engineering, construction, or real estate backgrounds will also be considered.
• An established Los Angeles industry network and strong knowledge of the local development market, with the confidence to initiate conversations and build new relationships.
• Demonstrated success generating project opportunities and supporting successful pursuits, ideally for an architecture practice or comparable professional services firm.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with experience contributing to RFP/RFQ responses and proficiency in CRM systems and Adobe InDesign.
• A self‑directed, organized approach with the ability to balance long‑term relationship building, proactive outreach, and multiple pursuit deadlines in a collaborative studio environment.

The Crowd is an equal opportunities employer and agency.