Lighting Designer - Business Development Specialist

Mead & Hunt, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedules

Employee-owned firm

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Mead & Hunt is hiring a Lighting Designer – Business Development Specialist in Chicago, IL (or Milwaukee, WI). The role blends lighting design expertise with strategic client development to expand the firm’s building engineering portfolio.

Ideal candidates have extensive lighting design experience, a track record in business development, and strong proposal and presentation skills, with willingness to travel for client engagements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, business development, engineering, architecture, planning or related field.
• At least 7 years of relevant lighting design experience and marketing or business development specific to building engineering.
• If no degree, at least 10 years of relevant lighting design experience and marketing or business development specific to building engineering.
• Valid driver's license and frequent travel (20–25%) to client sites and events.
• Experience developing proposals for professional services and leadership in the Lighting community.

Responsibilities

• Develop architecturally sensitive lighting systems for buildings.
• Develop lighting plans and specifications.
• Provide construction phase oversight of lighting systems.
• Mentor less experienced lighting designers.
• Identify, obtain, and manage new clients/projects.
• Visit current and potential clients to stay informed of their needs and services.
• Attend client meetings and trade shows; lead pursuit of new private clients.
• Consult with Business Unit Leader and marketing staff; cross-sell services.
• Create and/or assist with client presentations.

Skills

Lighting design

Business development

Client relationships

Proposal development

Public speaking

AI tools familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree (marketing, business development, engineering, architecture, planning or related field)

Tools

Microsoft Copilot

ChatGPT

AI platforms

Job description

Responsibilities

Established in 1900, Mead & Hunt is a nationally recognized professional services consulting firm. Our planning, design and construction services are available to clients across a wide variety of sectors. From architecture, aviation, food/beverage processing, and federal to transportation, water infrastructure and more; our unique methodologies deliver innovative, cost-effective solutions that elevate clients and communities.

Here at Mead & Hunt, our culture is about taking care of people, doing the right thing, and doing what makes sense. We are a flexible company that believes in giving back to our communities. We are employee-owned and support initiatives through our various employee programs. We invest in our employees and build relationships that last.

Mead & Hunt, an award-winning national architecture and engineering firm, has continued to exceed our strategic growth initiatives creating opportunities for our current and prospective team members. As a result, a full-time position is available for a Lighting Designer – Business Development Specialist! This opportunity is available in the following locations: Chicago, IL and Milwaukee, WI

Responsibilities include:

• Develop architecturally sensitive lighting systems for buildings.
• Develop lighting plans and specifications.
• Provide construction phase oversight of the lighting systems.
• Mentor less experienced lighting designers.
• Identify, obtain, and manage new clients/projects.
• Visit current and potential clients to stay informed of their needs and services.
• Assist with the development of the A&BE group’s strategic plan, business plan, and marketing plan to establish goals and identify activities necessary to attain goals.
• Attend client meetings (including evenings).
• Participate in trade shows and conferences.
• Lead the pursuit of new private clients, proposal development, and project scoping as needed.
• Consult with the Business Unit Leader and marketing staff as needed.
• Consult and assist other business units within Mead & Hunt and assist with cross-selling other company services.
• Create and/or assist with client presentations.
• Other duties as assigned.

A valid driver's license and frequent travel (between approximately 20-25%) to various client sites and events will be required.

The successful candidate must have at least one of the following:

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, business development, engineering, architecture, planning or related field from an accredited college or university.
• At least 7 years of relevant lighting design experience and marketing or business development specific to building engineering.

OR

• If no degree, must have at least 10 years of relevant lighting design experience and marketing or business development specific to building engineering.

The ideal candidate will have any/all the following:

• At least 12 years of relevant work experience and marketing or business development specific to the Building Engineering.
• Experience developing proposals for professional services.
• Demonstrated experience as a visible leader in the Lighting community.
• Experience executing architectural lighting designs.
• Experience providing input on business and strategic plans.

• Excellent problem solving and time management skills.

• Exceptional project interview skills including preparation and presenting
• Strong client relationships and client management skills.

• Experience or familiarity with generative AI-driven tools, platforms, or systems (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) to enhance productivity, automate tasks, and reduce errors.

At Mead & Hunt we shape the future by putting people first. If you have strong communication and organizational skills, are self-motivated, and can work well both independently and as part of a team, we can help you grow your career by working with industry experts on exciting projects.

Why Mead & Hunt?

• Strong Company Culture
• Robust Career Advancement, Training, & Growth Opportunities
• Employee-Owned Firm
• Flexible Schedules
• Diverse Skillsets, One Company
• Impressive Benefits Package

Mead & Hunt proudly offers medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, paid sick leave, parental leave, a 401K plan with a generous company match, life and disability insurance, and an employee assistance program.

Salary Range: $155,000 and above – Actual compensation may vary due to other factors such as: experience, skill set or location.

Mead & Hunt will not sponsor a visa (H-1B, etc.) for this position.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of applicable pre-employment screening requirements.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.