Business Development Director Jobs at GHD with Visa Sponsorship
GHD hires Business Development Directors to lead client relationships and grow market presence across its engineering and advisory practices. The company has an established process for sponsoring work visas for this function, making it a realistic target if you're building a U.S. career in professional services.
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GHD is growing!
Who are we looking for?
GHD’s US West Design Studio is seeking a strategic, relationship‑driven Project Director-Architect who will play a key role in advancing the growth of our architecture practice across all building sectors, with a particular emphasis on Hospitality and Entertainment. This role will act as a true Seller-Doer, focused on both delivery as well as bringing in new work. Based in our Tustin, CA office, this role blends high‑impact business development with hands-on project involvement—ideal for an entrepreneurial design professional who excels at cultivating clients, winning work, and leading delivery teams. This is a pivotal role for a motivated architect who thrives in a multidisciplinary environment and is energized by shaping the built environment across a diverse project portfolio.
Our Hybrid Work Model
Be part of the dynamic culture! Our workplace thrives on a hybrid model, combining in-office collaboration and flexibility. Join us in office, three days a week to contribute, connect and excel in our vibrant environment.
Working with an energetic and high performing team, this position offers a variety of work and will see you involved in:
Business Development & Market Leadership
- Build, maintain, and grow client relationships across all target markets—civic, education, commercial, industrial, transportation, infrastructure-related facilities—while strategically deepening GHD’s presence in Hospitality and Entertainment.
- Lead opportunity identification, positioning, and pursuit strategy for new and existing clients.
- Partner closely with the US West Design Studio leadership to drive growth, revenue targets, and key account development.
- Collaborate with market sector leaders across GHD to coordinate integrated, multidisciplinary offerings.
- Represent the Architecture Design studio and the broader GHD brand at industry events, conferences, and professional organizations.
- Support proposal development, interview strategy, and client presentations.
Project Leadership & Technical Delivery
- Serve as project architect, design lead, or technical advisor for select projects across a broad range of building types.
- Lead conceptual design workshops, visioning sessions, and planning discussions with clients and stakeholders.
- Integrate architectural solutions with engineering, interiors, advisory, and environmental teams for a seamless, multidisciplinary approach.
- Ensure high standards of design quality, documentation, and project execution from concept through construction.
- Mentor emerging design talent and contribute to a collaborative, high-performance studio culture.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Personal Capability Building: Act as subject matter expert in an area of technology, policy, regulation, or operational management for the team. Maintain external accreditations and in-depth understanding of current and emerging external regulation and industry best practices through continuing professional development, attending conferences, and reading specialist media.
- Key Account Management: Ensure quality service and profitable business growth by managing a portfolio of complex customer relationships and/or a small team of account managers.
- Customer Relationship Development / Prospecting: Develop and implement a relationship management plan for strategic, complex potential accounts to build key relationships at local and national levels. Coordinate the engagement of own organization with the customer organization to ensure effective two-way flow of information and resolution of issues.
- Customer Needs Clarification: Consult with a range of customer representatives at different levels to identify the outcomes they require, introducing relevant internal specialists and utilizing their expertise to gather and analyze complex customer data, clarify medium- to long-term customer needs, and develop and agree to a specification of customer requirements.
- Sales Opportunities Creation: Develop a personal network of senior managers within the business sector and represent the organization at business sector events. Obtain market intelligence, promote the organization, and enhance its reputation.
- Customer Relationship Management / Account Management: Develop and implement relationship management plans for complex existing customer accounts to identify and build relationships with relevant decision-makers and influencers within the customer organization and to enable effective two-way flow of information and resolution of issues. Manage ongoing relationships with identified customer segments to ensure their needs are met, providing themes, summary analyses, and recommendations for changes based on customer input.
Education
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in architecture.
- Architectural licensure in the U.S. (preferred) or active progress toward licensure.
Experience
- 10-15 years of architectural experience, including project involvement in multiple building types.
- Demonstrated success in business development, client management, and work winning.
- Relevant experience in Hospitality and/or Entertainment design—hotels, resorts, restaurants, venues, leisure environments, or themed experiences.
- Strong presentation, communication, and relationship-building abilities.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams.
- Competency with Revit, Bluebeam, Adobe Creative Suite, and design communication tools.
As a multicultural organization, we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status or veteran status.
Salary Range: $126,000-$211,000.00 based on experience and location
About us
Take on some of the world’s toughest challenges - with GHD supporting you every step of the way. We'll give you control over your career, empower you to find innovative solutions and help you create a lasting impact. See where your commitment could take you with GHD.
Our Pledge to You
At GHD, we don’t just believe in the power of commitment, we live and breathe it every day. That’s why we pledge to empower our people to make a positive impact. Combining our deep technical expertise with the capabilities of our clients and partners, we respond to some of the most complex challenges facing our planet today. See where your commitment could take you. That’s the #PowerOfCommitment
Who We Are
GHD is a global professional services company that leads through engineering, architecture, and construction expertise. We are an employee-owned company with over 11,000 diverse and skilled individuals, across more than 200 offices spanning five continents. The Power of Commitment is our brand promise. It’s what makes us different. We are bound to our stated vision and determination to address humanity’s most urgent needs: to make water, energy and urbanisation sustainable for generations to come.
Job Description
GHD is growing!
Who are we looking for?
GHD’s US West Design Studio is seeking a strategic, relationship‑driven Project Director-Architect who will play a key role in advancing the growth of our architecture practice across all building sectors, with a particular emphasis on Hospitality and Entertainment. This role will act as a true Seller-Doer, focused on both delivery as well as bringing in new work. Based in our Tustin, CA office, this role blends high‑impact business development with hands-on project involvement—ideal for an entrepreneurial design professional who excels at cultivating clients, winning work, and leading delivery teams. This is a pivotal role for a motivated architect who thrives in a multidisciplinary environment and is energized by shaping the built environment across a diverse project portfolio.
Our Hybrid Work Model
Be part of the dynamic culture! Our workplace thrives on a hybrid model, combining in-office collaboration and flexibility. Join us in office, three days a week to contribute, connect and excel in our vibrant environment.
Working with an energetic and high performing team, this position offers a variety of work and will see you involved in:
Business Development & Market Leadership
- Build, maintain, and grow client relationships across all target markets—civic, education, commercial, industrial, transportation, infrastructure-related facilities—while strategically deepening GHD’s presence in Hospitality and Entertainment.
- Lead opportunity identification, positioning, and pursuit strategy for new and existing clients.
- Partner closely with the US West Design Studio leadership to drive growth, revenue targets, and key account development.
- Collaborate with market sector leaders across GHD to coordinate integrated, multidisciplinary offerings.
- Represent the Architecture Design studio and the broader GHD brand at industry events, conferences, and professional organizations.
- Support proposal development, interview strategy, and client presentations.
Project Leadership & Technical Delivery
- Serve as project architect, design lead, or technical advisor for select projects across a broad range of building types.
- Lead conceptual design workshops, visioning sessions, and planning discussions with clients and stakeholders.
- Integrate architectural solutions with engineering, interiors, advisory, and environmental teams for a seamless, multidisciplinary approach.
- Ensure high standards of design quality, documentation, and project execution from concept through construction.
- Mentor emerging design talent and contribute to a collaborative, high-performance studio culture.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Personal Capability Building: Act as subject matter expert in an area of technology, policy, regulation, or operational management for the team. Maintain external accreditations and in-depth understanding of current and emerging external regulation and industry best practices through continuing professional development, attending conferences, and reading specialist media.
- Key Account Management: Ensure quality service and profitable business growth by managing a portfolio of complex customer relationships and/or a small team of account managers.
- Customer Relationship Development / Prospecting: Develop and implement a relationship management plan for strategic, complex potential accounts to build key relationships at local and national levels. Coordinate the engagement of own organization with the customer organization to ensure effective two-way flow of information and resolution of issues.
- Customer Needs Clarification: Consult with a range of customer representatives at different levels to identify the outcomes they require, introducing relevant internal specialists and utilizing their expertise to gather and analyze complex customer data, clarify medium- to long-term customer needs, and develop and agree to a specification of customer requirements.
- Sales Opportunities Creation: Develop a personal network of senior managers within the business sector and represent the organization at business sector events. Obtain market intelligence, promote the organization, and enhance its reputation.
- Customer Relationship Management / Account Management: Develop and implement relationship management plans for complex existing customer accounts to identify and build relationships with relevant decision-makers and influencers within the customer organization and to enable effective two-way flow of information and resolution of issues. Manage ongoing relationships with identified customer segments to ensure their needs are met, providing themes, summary analyses, and recommendations for changes based on customer input.
Education
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in architecture.
- Architectural licensure in the U.S. (preferred) or active progress toward licensure.
Experience
- 10-15 years of architectural experience, including project involvement in multiple building types.
- Demonstrated success in business development, client management, and work winning.
- Relevant experience in Hospitality and/or Entertainment design—hotels, resorts, restaurants, venues, leisure environments, or themed experiences.
- Strong presentation, communication, and relationship-building abilities.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams.
- Competency with Revit, Bluebeam, Adobe Creative Suite, and design communication tools.
As a multicultural organization, we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status or veteran status.
Salary Range: $126,000-$211,000.00 based on experience and location
About us
Take on some of the world’s toughest challenges - with GHD supporting you every step of the way. We'll give you control over your career, empower you to find innovative solutions and help you create a lasting impact. See where your commitment could take you with GHD.
Our Pledge to You
At GHD, we don’t just believe in the power of commitment, we live and breathe it every day. That’s why we pledge to empower our people to make a positive impact. Combining our deep technical expertise with the capabilities of our clients and partners, we respond to some of the most complex challenges facing our planet today. See where your commitment could take you. That’s the #PowerOfCommitment
Who We Are
GHD is a global professional services company that leads through engineering, architecture, and construction expertise. We are an employee-owned company with over 11,000 diverse and skilled individuals, across more than 200 offices spanning five continents. The Power of Commitment is our brand promise. It’s what makes us different. We are bound to our stated vision and determination to address humanity’s most urgent needs: to make water, energy and urbanisation sustainable for generations to come.
See all 30+ Business Development Director at GHD jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Business Development Director at GHD roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Business Development Director Jobs at GHD Jobs
Frame your credentials around GHD's service lines
GHD operates across water, environment, energy, and infrastructure advisory. Tailor your resume and portfolio to show BD wins in at least one of these sectors, since hiring managers assess fit against active practice-area pipelines, not general sales experience.
Clarify your visa type before the first interview
GHD sponsors multiple visa categories, including TN for Canadian and Mexican nationals. Knowing which category applies to you before outreach saves time and signals you understand the process, which hiring teams at professional services firms respond to positively.
Target GHD's regional offices with active BD openings
GHD posts Business Development Director roles across multiple U.S. regions. Offices supporting large infrastructure or environmental programs tend to have the most active hiring. Use Migrate Mate to filter open roles by location and sponsorship type before applying.
Prepare for PERM-related employment history documentation early
If you're pursuing an EB-2 or EB-3 Green Card through GHD, DOL's PERM process requires detailed employment verification going back several years. Gather offer letters, W-2s, and reference contacts before your offer stage so nothing delays the filing.
Negotiate a start date that accounts for visa processing timelines
TN status can be obtained at the border relatively quickly, but F-1 OPT extensions and EB-based filings require longer lead times. Build buffer into your offer negotiation so your start date aligns with your actual authorization window, not an optimistic estimate.
Connect your academic background to GHD's specialty occupation standard
Business Development Director roles at GHD typically require a degree in engineering, environmental science, business, or a related field. USCIS evaluates specialty occupation status based on whether a specific degree is normally required for the position, so a direct field match strengthens your petition.
Business Development Director at GHD jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Business Development Director at GHD JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does GHD sponsor H-1B visas for Business Development Directors?
GHD's sponsorship activity for Business Development Directors is concentrated in EB-2, EB-3, F-1 OPT, F-1 CPT, TN, and J-1 categories rather than H-1B. If you're currently on H-1B with another employer, a transfer is possible, but you should confirm H-1B support directly with GHD's recruiter during the offer stage before assuming it's available.
How do I apply for Business Development Director jobs at GHD?
GHD posts open Business Development Director positions on its careers portal, and many roles also appear on Migrate Mate, where you can filter specifically by visa sponsorship type. Apply with a resume that highlights sector-specific BD experience in GHD's core markets, water, environment, energy, and infrastructure, since generic sales backgrounds get filtered out early.
Which visa types does GHD commonly use for Business Development Directors?
GHD has sponsored Business Development Directors using TN visas for Canadian and Mexican nationals, F-1 OPT for recent graduates already in the U.S., and EB-2 or EB-3 immigrant pathways for longer-term hires. TN is the fastest path if you're Canadian or Mexican and meet the qualifying profession criteria. EB-based sponsorship involves PERM labor certification through DOL and is a multi-year process.
What qualifications does GHD expect for a Business Development Director?
GHD typically expects a bachelor's degree in engineering, environmental science, business development, or a related technical discipline. For senior BD roles, demonstrated experience managing large client accounts or winning new projects in infrastructure, environmental consulting, or advisory services carries significant weight. USCIS also evaluates whether the degree field directly relates to the role when assessing specialty occupation status.
How long does the visa sponsorship process take if GHD extends an offer?
Timeline depends heavily on visa category. TN status for Canadian nationals can be obtained at a port of entry in a single day if you have the right documents. F-1 OPT extensions through USCIS typically take two to three months. EB-2 and EB-3 Green Card sponsorship involves PERM labor certification with DOL, followed by an I-140 petition with USCIS, a process that can span one to three years or more depending on your country of birth.
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