Principal, Public

NORR Architects Engineers Planners; Detroit, Northern (MI, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

NORR Architects Engineers Planners is a leading integrated Architecture and Engineering firm seeking a senior business development leader to drive growth across the U.S. public, justice, education, and government markets.

Reporting to the Vice President, Business Development, you will build strategic client relationships, lead major pursuits, and shape the firm’s long-term growth strategy. You will develop market growth strategies, build a robust pipeline, win significant professional services

Qualifications

• 12+ years of business development or market leadership experience within the AEC industry.
• Proven success in winning significant professional services work and growing strategic client relationships.
• Established executive-level network within U.S. Public, Justice, Education, Government or Institutional markets.
• Strong understanding of public procurement, capture planning, strategic account management and market development.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute market growth strategies aligned with corporate objectives.
• Build trusted relationships with senior public-sector leaders, owners and industry partners.
• Lead opportunities from early capture planning through contract award.
• Provide market intelligence and collaborate with leaders to align client needs with firm capabilities.

Skills

Executive networking

Strategic communication

Negotiation

Relationship building

Market growth strategy

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Planning, Construction Management, Business

Job description

This is an exciting time to join our team. As we continue to grow, we are looking for talented professionals who are ready to make an impact, collaborate with exceptional colleagues, and help shape the future of the built environment. If you are looking for a place where your expertise will be valued, your career can grow, and your work will make a difference, we invite you to explore what is possible with us.

We empower our employees to choose where they work whether remotely, from home or from one of our office locations because we believe flexibility, trust, and collaboration drive great results.

Location: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, or Midwest Region (Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, Boston, Florida, or New Jersey)

Public buildings reflect community priorities and government accountability. Guided by decades of experience and a strong record of delivery, we provide cost certainty while advancing resilience, decarbonization, and accessibility. Through Indigenous partnerships, inclusive engagement, and digital innovation, we create adaptable, secure civic spaces that support services, celebrate culture, and deliver lasting impact.

Reporting to the Vice President, Business Development, you will build strategic client relationships, develop new markets, lead major pursuits, and help shape the firm's long-term growth strategy. This is a senior client-facing leadership role for a proven business developer with an established network and a demonstrated history of winning significant architectural and engineering consulting assignments.

You Will Make an Impact by

Drive Growth

• Develop and execute market growth strategies aligned with corporate objectives.
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of qualified opportunities.
• Identify, qualify and secure high-value Public Sector opportunities.
• Prepare annual business development forecasts and report on performance.

Build Strategic Relationships

• Develop trusted relationships with senior public-sector leaders, owners and industry partners.
• Expand key client accounts and position NORR as a trusted long-term advisor.
• Represent NORR at industry events and strengthen the firm's market presence and reputation.

Lead Winning Pursuits

• Lead opportunities from early capture planning through contract award.
• Develop winning strategies and partner with technical leaders to secure major projects.
• Support executive presentations, interviews and strategic proposals.

Influence the Business

• Provide market intelligence and competitive insights that inform growth strategy.
• Collaborate with Practice Leaders, Studio Managers and technical teams to align client needs with firm capabilities.
• Champion a culture of client development and continuous improvement across the organization.

You Will Bring to the Team

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Planning, Construction Management, Business or a related discipline.
• 12+ years of business development, client development or market leadership experience within the AEC industry.
• Proven success winning significant professional services work and growing strategic client relationships.
• Established executive-level network within the U.S. Public, Justice, Education, Government or Institutional markets.
• Strong understanding of public procurement, capture planning, strategic account management and market development.
• Exceptional communication, influencing, negotiation and relationship-building skills.

We are:

The spaces we design and the technology we embrace shape how people live, work, learn, and connect. At NORR, you will collaborate with talented professionals to deliver projects that make a lasting impact on communities across Canada, the US, and the UK. Together we are advancing sustainable design, helping clients reduce environmental impact, and shaping a net-zero future.

As an employee-owned, integrated Architecture and Engineering firm, we support our employees to think differently, embrace innovation, and solve complex challenges together. We invest in your growth, support flexible ways of working, and create opportunities to build a meaningful career.

The hiring base salary range for this vacant position is $140,000.00 - $200,000.00 annually. Actual compensation will be based on several factors such as work location, education, experience, internal equity and skills.

NORR is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected status or characteristic: Race/Color/Gender/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Veteran