Marketing and Business Development Specialist Jobs

Olson Kundig is a design practice founded on the ideas that buildings can serve as a bridge between nature, culture and people, and that inspiring surroundings have a positive effect on people’s lives. The firm’s work can be found across the globe, with projects as wide-ranging as huts to high rises, homes - often for art collectors - to academic, cultural, and civic projects, museums and exhibition design, places of worship, creative production, urban design, and interior design.

We are currently seeking a Marketing Manager, Business Development (BD) who is responsible for leading the Firm’s BD function at the operational level. This role works closely with the Director of Marketing, BD, the Director of Marketing, Communications, and the Marketing Manager, Communications to coordinate pursuit production, manage team workflow, and support the Firm’s competitive positioning across a diverse range of project types and geographies. To succeed in this role, you should have strong BD instincts, deep AEC industry knowledge, and the ability to balance day-to-day execution with strategic awareness in a fast-paced environment. This role will collaborate with internal teams to deliver exceptional results within specified deadlines.

The selected candidate is expected to work regularly in Chicago, where 5% of domestic travel may be required.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership, Planning, and Workflow Management:
  • Manage and mentor a team of Marketing Coordinators and Graphic Designers across proactive and inbound BD functions.
  • Conduct regular team check-ins, provide performance feedback, and support professional development.
  • Serve as the first point of escalation, resolving issues or elevating as needed.
  • Translate BD strategy into clear assignments, timelines, and priorities.
  • Oversee workflow, assign work, balance workloads, and allocate resources to ensure quality and timely delivery across short- and long-term initiatives.
  • Maintain the BD planning calendar across active pursuits, pipeline activity, and team capacity.
  • Align BD planning with team capacity, project milestones, and Firm priorities in collaboration with the Director of Marketing, BD, the Senior Marketing Specialist, BD, and the Marketing Manager, Communications.

• Pursuit Coordination and Production:
  • Manage pursuit production across proposal types including RFQs, RFPs, SOQs, and interview packages.
  • Oversee development of pursuit materials including written content, graphics coordination, and final assembly.
  • Guide pursuit narrative and positioning in collaboration with the Director and relevant Shareholders.
  • Manage pursuit timelines, review cycles, and submission logistics.
  • Support go/no-go evaluation and internal communication.
  • Facilitate interview preparation including strategy, logistics, and materials development.

• Pipeline and Opportunity Management:
  • Maintain visibility across the full BD pipeline, including active pursuits, upcoming opportunities, and relationship activity.
  • Facilitate or co-facilitate cross-departmental operational meetings including the weekly contracts check-in.
  • Track pursuit status, contracts, LOAs, and ASRs; coordinate follow-up and accountability across the BD team.
  • Support CRM development and the institutionalization of relationship tracking systems and BD best practices in support of the Senior Marketing Specialist, BD.
  • Monitor industry trends and emerging opportunities in collaboration with the Director and Senior Marketing Specialist, BD.

• Cross-Functional Coordination and Operations:
  • Serve as a primary coordination point between the BD and Communications teams.
  • Collaborate with the Marketing Manager, Communications on awards, events, and shared initiatives.
  • Support coordination of lectures, juries, and presentations in partnership with Directors and Communications leadership as needed.
  • Contribute to the development and maintenance of BD systems, templates, and operational infrastructure in support of the Senior Marketing Specialist, BD.

• Budget and Reporting:
  • Track BD budgets, including pursuit and interview costs, monitor spend, and align resources with pursuit priorities.
  • Maintain monthly reporting on BD activities, pipeline, and pursuit outcomes.

• Additional duties and projects:
  • As assigned or necessary.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge:
  • Knowledge of BD processes, pursuit strategy and proposal development within the AEC industry.
  • Knowledge of CRM platforms, pipeline management, and pursuit management tools.
  • Knowledge of architecture, engineering, construction, design practice operations, and industry trends.

• Skills:
  • Strong team leadership and workflow management skills.
  • Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills with close attention to detail.
  • Strong BD, proposal management, and pursuit coordination skills.
  • Excellent organizational and time-management skills with the ability to dependably manage multiple active pursuits simultaneously.

• Abilities:
  • Ability to manage multiple competing priorities while balancing strategic and operational responsibilities.
  • Ability to mentor, coach, and develop Marketing and BD staff.
  • Ability to foster a collaborative, constructive, and solutions-focused team culture

Must Have:

• • Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Architecture, or closely related field.
  • Experience: Minimum 8-10 years of relevant experience working in the AEC industry (architecture, engineering, and construction).
  • Advanced proficiency in BD operations, pursuit management, proposal development, team leadership, and workflow coordination.
  • Digital Literacy: Intermediate proficiency in MS Word, MS Outlook, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Teams, Web Browser, ERP (Deltek), Digital File Organization, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe InDesign.

Nice to Have:

• • Interest in architecture, design, and the built environment.
  • Experience with CRM platforms and pursuit management tools.
  • Experience developing team members and fostering collaborative team cultures.

What can you expect from us?

• A creative work environment and colleagues who are collaborative, creative, and challenging
• Opportunity to grow professionally
• Check our culture page to learn about life at Olson Kundig

Equal Opportunity & Pay Transparency
Olson Kundig is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, gender, age, religion, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by law. Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations at any point in the employment process.

In compliance with Washington State’s Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (RCW 49.58.110), Olson Kundig provides transparent compensation information in all job postings. For this position based in Chicago the annual salary is between $130,000 and $150,000. Final salary decisions are made based upon the extent and relevance of the candidate’s experience, as well as internal equity and external market factors.

In addition to a dynamic and creative culture, Olson Kundig provides a generous benefits package that includes 21 days of paid time off, paid holidays, health plan, 401k match, bonuses, profit-sharing plans for qualified positions, a monthly travel subsidy for public transportation, and more.

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship and must already possess long-term work authorization.

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