Business Growth Architect for Design & Placemaking

Selbert Perkins Design; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Selbert Perkins Design (SPD) is a women-owned design firm specializing in signage, wayfinding, branding, and placemaking, with studios in Los Angeles. We seek a Business Development Director to drive new business growth from the LA studio, reporting to Principals and Partners.

The role emphasizes lead generation, market research, and written proposals for public and private clients. You will manage new business portals, track solicitations, and lead RFP responses.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of business development experience with an architecture, design, engineering, or environmental graphic design firm.
• Established relationships with clients, architects, developers, and public agencies across the West Coast, with sector experience in transportation, higher education, healthcare, sports and entertainment, mixed-use, or civic work.
• Experience navigating public procurement, including vendor portals, SBE/WBE/DBE requirements, and RFP, RFQ, and SOQ responses.
• Excellent writing skills, with the ability to produce clear, persuasive proposals and correspondence.
• Confident presenter who is comfortable leading client meetings and shortlist interviews.
• Working knowledge of AI tools such as Claude and ChatGPT, and the ability to use them effectively for research, lead identification, proposal drafting, and day-to-day productivity.
• Proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Keynote, and Microsoft Office is required; experience with a CRM such as HubSpot is preferred.
• Highly organized and self-directed, with the ability to manage multiple pursuits and deadlines at once.
• Willingness to travel for client meetings, interviews, and industry events.
• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, design, architecture, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead Generation and Outreach: Identify potential clients within SPD's business sectors and build relationships with decision-makers.
• Prepare tailored outreach and capabilities packages, then follow up to set up meetings and interviews.
• Research the market to generate a steady pipeline of new leads, planned capital projects, and agency budgets.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients, architects, developers, contractors, fabricators, and teaming partners.
• Attend new business events, conferences, and pre-proposal meetings.
• Opportunity Tracking and Proposals: Manage SPD's new business portals and procurement registrations, monitoring opportunities.
• Evaluate opportunities and recommend which to pursue, then lead responses to RFPs, RFQs, and SOQs.
• Write proposals, cover letters, and related sales materials responding to client needs.
• Strategy and Reporting: Analyze market conditions and recommend ways to strengthen SPD's market position.
• Present and consult with partners on trends and SPD's branding philosophy and services.
• Contribute to sales, marketing, PR, and social media strategies.
• Attend weekly marketing meetings with partners and global calls with offices.
• Maintain pipeline records and provide reports on prospects, proposals, and events.

Skills

Business development

Lead generation

Proposal writing

Public procurement

Client relationship management

Presentation skills

AI tools (Claude, ChatGPT)

Adobe InDesign

Keynote

Microsoft Office

HubSpot (CRM)

Education

Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, design, architecture, or related field

Tools

HubSpot

Adobe InDesign

Keynote

Microsoft Office

Job description

Selbert Perkins Design (SPD) is a women-owned design firm specializing in signage, wayfinding, branding, and placemaking, with studios in Los Angeles. We seek a Business Development Director to drive new business growth from the LA studio, reporting to Principals and Partners.

The role emphasizes lead generation, market research, and written proposals for public and private clients. You will manage new business portals, track solicitations, and lead RFP responses.