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)

Paid time off

Professional development

Job summary

The Crowd is seeking a Business Development Manager to expand its Los Angeles presence, leveraging an established network and a strategic growth plan across LA and Southern California. The role emphasizes proactive outreach, client relationship development, and collaboration with leadership and marketing on proposals.

Ideal candidates bring 7–10+ years in BD within architecture or the built environment, excellent communication and presentation skills, and strong CRM/InDesign capabilities to

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of BD/client development in architecture or built environment.
• Established Los Angeles industry network and local market knowledge.
• Proven track record generating project opportunities and pursuing wins.
• Excellent writing, speaking, and presentation skills; proficient with CRM and InDesign.
• Self-directed, organized, able to balance long-term relationships with multiple pursuits.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a BD plan with studio leadership for LA and Southern California.
• Generate and qualify new leads via market research, targeted outreach, and industry relationships (developers, owners, brokers, PMs).
• Build lasting client relationships through meetings, networking events, and industry involvement.
• Collaborate with leadership and marketing on proposals, qualifications packages, and client presentations.
• Maintain accurate CRM and pipeline records, tracking projects, follow-ups, forecasts, and pursuit outcomes.

Skills

Relationship building

Business development

Communication skills

Presentation skills

CRM proficiency

Adobe InDesign

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

• comprehensive healthcare
• 401(k)
• PTO
• 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.