The Architectural Business Development Specialist plays a critical role in driving growth and expanding opportunities for Carrier Johnson + Culture within the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry. This position is responsible for identifying new business opportunities, coordinating pursuit efforts, and ensuring strategic alignment through Go/No-Go assessments. The specialist will work closely with Market Sector Leaders, firm leadership, and project teams to develop winning strategies, support proposal development, and enhance firmwide business development initiatives.
Pursuit Strategy & Go/No-Go Coordination
- Lead the initial Go/No-Go assessment process, evaluating opportunities based on strategic fit, project viability, and firm capabilities.
- Collaborate with Market Sector Leaders and Principals to ensure alignment on prioritized pursuits within key market sectors (Multi-family Residential, Mixed Use, Hospitality, Civic, Higher Education, Science & Technology, Corporate, Interiors, and Affordable Housing).
- Establish a structured evaluation process to track and assess potential projects before engaging the marketing team.
Upfront Pursuit & Proposal Coordination
- Manage pre-pursuit strategy and coordination of proposal efforts before formal marketing involvement.
- Organize and facilitate internal strategy discussions to determine positioning, approach, and team composition for potential pursuits.
- Work with architects, designers, and technical staff to ensure proposals effectively communicate the firms design expertise, project experience, and thought leadership.
- Gather and coordinate necessary materials for RFQs, RFPs, and SOQs, ensuring a seamless transition to the marketing team for proposal production.
Market Research & Lead Generation
- Conduct in-depth market research to identify emerging project opportunities, development trends, and evolving client needs in the AEC industry.
- Develop lead generation strategies, identifying key contacts, potential partners, and industry collaborations to support firm growth.
- Maintain an updated database of upcoming projects, industry developments, and firm capabilities alignment with market demand.
Sales Pipeline & Data Management
- Maintain accurate records of leads, pursuits, and project opportunities using Deltek Vantagepoint (firms CRM platform).
- Track pipeline progress, win/loss data, and ROI of business development efforts, providing regular reports to firm leadership.
- Work with leadership to refine business development strategies based on data-driven insights, market intelligence, and industry trends.
- Own and manage all Lead/Opportunity input through Deltek Vantagepoint, ensuring data integrity and consistency across the firm.
Collaboration with Marketing & Communications Team
- Support the marketing team by providing market intelligence, client insights, and pursuit positioning for proposals and promotional materials.
- Assist in developing targeted messaging, content strategies, and presentations to enhance business development efforts.
- Ensure brand consistency and strategic alignment between business development, marketing campaigns, and firmwide thought leadership efforts.
Business Development Meetings & Coordination
- Lead and manage weekly Business Development Meetings with Market Sector Leaders to review opportunities, assess pursuit strategies, and align efforts across sectors.
- Facilitate discussions on emerging leads, industry shifts, competitive landscape, and key client relationships to optimize firmwide business development strategies.
- Support Principal-level engagement with developers, municipalities, and other AEC professionals through targeted outreach efforts.
Qualifications & Skills
- Bachelors degree in Architecture, Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field.
- 3+ years of experience in business development, sales, or marketing within the AEC industry (architecture, engineering, construction, or real estate development).
- Strong understanding of architectural design principles, construction processes, municipal planning approvals, and industry standards.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and organizational skills with the ability to engage with developers, public agencies, and industry partners.
- Ability to analyze opportunities and make strategic recommendations based on market insights and firm capabilities.
- Proficiency in Deltek Vantagepoint (CRM), Microsoft Office Suite, and industry research tools.
- Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities effectively in a deadline-driven environment.
Reporting Structure
The Business Development Specialist will report to a senior member of the Marketing & Business Development team and work closely with Market Sector Leaders, architects, designers, and firm leadership to support strategic growth initiatives.
Additional Considerations
- Occasional travel may be required for client meetings, site visits, industry conferences, and networking events.
- Flexibility in working hours may be necessary to accommodate client schedules, proposal deadlines, and industry events.
- Ongoing training and support will be provided to ensure the Business Development Specialist has the tools, resources, and industry knowledge to succeed.
Carrier Johnson Benefits Summary
Health, Disability, Retirement and Other Benefits and Amenities
As a regular, full-time employee, you are eligible to participate in all of Carrier Johnson + Culture sponsored benefits, plans and activities. Carrier Johnson + Culture offers comprehensive medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability, life insurance, 401(k) plan and flexible spending programs. Carrier Johnson + Culture is pleased to provide 100% coverage for employee medical, dental and vision plans for those who choose the HMO plan. If you choose to add additional dependents this will be at a reduced cost to you and deducted from your paycheck each pay period (pre-tax). The amount will vary depending on the plan you select. Carrier Johnson + Culture 401(k) plan does not include any matching. In addition to offering the 401(k) plan Carrier Johnson + Culture offers an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
Time-Off Benefits
You will accrue vacation at a rate of 3.33 hours for each pay period, (80 hours per year, or 2 weeks) for the first 4 years. 5.00 hours for each pay period begins accruing after 4 years (120 hours per year, or 3 weeks).
In addition to your vacation accrual, you will receive eight (8) paid holidays and you will receive forty eight (48) hours sick leave per year immediately upon hire.
At Carrier Johnson + Culture we offer two regular work schedules: 8 hours/5 days per week or a 9 hours Monday thru Thursday and a 4 hour Friday. Within these hours we offer a hybrid work model of in office and remote working.
Benefits Highlights
Rates and plans are subject to change on an annual basis
We are happy to share with you the benefit plans we have to offer. Contributory plan details are included as attachments to this letter, you will also find attached, an employee bi-weekly contribution schedule for your cost considerations.
A list of contributory plans that we offer are:
- Medical – No cost for employee only when they choose the HMO Plan (Employees outside the state of California have PPO option only available to them at no cost for employee only)
- HMO plan UHC Gold Signature Value 30-60/20%/$500 Deductible
- PPO plan UHC Gold Select Plus 25/500/20%
- Kaiser Gold 80 HMO 250/25
- United Health Dental PPO Plan
- United Health (Vision) Plan
- Flexible Spending plan for medical and/ or dependent care expenses
- $50 per month allowance for cell phone usage (to be expensed monthly thru accounting system)
- $50 per month allowance for internet usage (to be expensed monthly thru accounting system)
- $20 per month allowance for gym memberships (to be expensed monthly thru accounting system)
- Paid parking when requested
- 401(k) plan with before tax/after tax contribution options, available after 30 days of employment
- Auto Enrollment will begin after first 30 days of employment at rate of 6%
- Voluntary plans for Supplemental Life Insurance, Short-term disability, Long-term disability, Cancer, and accident through MetLife
- Legal Shield Legal plan
- Aflac Medical plan
- Additional Life Insurance plan increase up to 5x base salary (not to exceed $500,000) with employee Premium contribution.
- No additional compensation offered for opting out of the plans
A list of Carrier Johnson + Culture sponsored plans you will be enrolled in.
- Short-term Disability Insurance -thru Principal: Up to 60% of base weekly earnings (up to $2,308 per week). Benefits payable through 24 weeks of disability
- Long-term Disability Insurance – thru Principal: Up to 60% of base monthly earnings (up to $10,000 per month for all active full-time employees.) Benefit begins after 180 days of disability. Benefits payable for 24 months.
- Accidental Death Insurance thru Principal: Amount equal to your Basic Life Insurance.
- 50K Life Insurance plus one times base salary up to a Maximum Life Benefit of $250,000
- Employee Assistance Program
- Travel Assistance Program
- Chiropractic Care Available for Employee only. Includes up to 20 annual visits to In-network providers with $15 co-pay each visit.
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan
- Vesting in the ESOP commences at 20% per year following two years of employment
- The first year of employment must exceed 1000 hours prior to September 1st of that year. The Plan is managed by The Newport Group
- Less Than 2 Years of Employment – Vesting 0%
- 2 Years of Employment – Vesting at 20%
- 3 Years of Employment – Vesting at 40%
- 4 Years of Employment – Vesting at 60%
- 5 Years of Employment – Vesting at 80%
- 6 Years of Employment – Vesting at 100%
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