Senior Business Development Leader (Flexible Profile)

Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid / Flexible)
Company: Confidential - Employee‑Owned AEC Consulting Firm
Compensation: $125,000-$155,000 base + comprehensive benefits + ownership

About the Company (Confidential)

This confidential firm is a well‑established, employee‑owned engineering, planning, and design consultancy with more than six decades of impact across the built environment. The firm is widely recognised for its people‑first culture, strong technical depth, and long‑term ownership mindset, earning repeated recognition as a Top Workplace.

Internally, employees describe an environment that is collaborative, relationship‑driven, and empowering, with accessible leadership and a strong sense of accountability. The firm places real value on flexibility, community involvement, and professional growth, creating a setting where senior professionals can build meaningful, long‑term careers rather than chase short‑term metrics.

The Opportunity

This is a flexible, senior‑level opportunity designed to attract either:

• An established Business Development leader with deep relationships in the Illinois market, or
• A senior engineer / planner / landscape architect who has already been exposed to business development and client leadership and wants to intentionally develop that skill set further in a supportive, non‑transactional environment.

This is not a pure sales role. Instead, it blends market growth, client relationship leadership, and hands‑on technical involvement. The firm is deliberately open‑minded on exact background, and will shape the role around the right individual's strengths.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Market Growth

• Lead or contribute to business development strategy across targeted Illinois markets
• Build, maintain, and expand relationships with architectural, institutional, municipal, and/or transportation clients
• Identify and pursue new opportunities aligned with firm capabilities and market needs
• Support or lead proposal development, client interviews, and contract negotiations

Scope and emphasis of BD responsibilities can flex based on experience level.

Client & Relationship Leadership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, prioritising long‑term partnerships over transactional wins
• Represent the firm in industry groups, professional organisations, and community activities
• Collaborate closely with architects, developers, municipalities, and internal teams

Technical & Project Involvement

• Remain actively engaged in project delivery, maintaining billable work appropriate to experience and discipline
• Provide technical leadership and oversight on multi‑disciplinary projects
• Support project planning, financial performance, and delivery excellence

For candidates earlier in their BD development, technical leadership may remain a larger component initially.

Leadership & Growth

• Mentor and support technical staff, sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration
• Work closely with firm leadership to evolve markets, services, and client strategies
• Grow into increased BD ownership and visibility over time, as appropriate

Who the Firm Is Open to Hiring

This role is intentionally flexible. The firm will consider candidates along a spectrum:

Option 1: Established BD Leader

• 8+ years of experience in technical market leadership or business development
• Proven success selling AEC services in Illinois
• Existing architectural and/or municipal relationships
• Comfortable owning strategy, pursuits, and client relationships

Option 2: Senior Engineer / Planner Growing into BD

• Strong technical or project leadership background
• Demonstrated exposure to client development, pursuits, or relationship management
• Interest in expanding BD responsibilities with mentorship and support
• Credibility and presence with clients, even if BD is not yet the primary focus

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Urban Planning, or Landscape Architecture
• Experience in AEC consulting environments serving architectural and/or municipal clients
• Understanding of project delivery, client expectations, and consulting economics
• Professional licensure preferred (PE, AICP, or PLA)
• Leadership mindset and strong communication skills

Culture, Flexibility & Work Environment

• High‑trust, flexible environment with hybrid working and schedule autonomy
• Collaborative culture where ownership, initiative, and accountability are encouraged
• Senior professionals are respected for both technical and relational contributions
• Community involvement and industry engagement are actively supported
• Expectations are high, but balanced with genuine flexibility and support

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary range: $125,000-$155,000
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Paid Parental Leave
• Retirement Savings Plan
• Short‑ and Long‑Term Disability and Life Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Leadership development, mentoring, and training
• Casual dress and free parking

Why This Role Is Different

This opportunity is ideal for professionals who want influence without rigidity, growth without pressure, and ownership without bureaucracy. Whether you are a seasoned BD professional or a senior technical leader ready to develop your commercial skill set, the firm is committed to shaping the role around the right person.