Business Development Leader Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Business Development Leaders drive revenue growth and strategic partnerships, making them a strong fit for H-1B and O-1 visa sponsorship. Most roles qualify as specialty occupations requiring a bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field, with employers filing through USCIS on your behalf. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsIf you think your skills, experience and aspirations make you a good match for this position, we encourage you to apply. This position may be filled anywhere in the United States. Preference may be given to candidates that can work in one of our East Region locations which includes: Arlington, VA, Baltimore, MD, Boston, MA, Charlotte, NC, and New York City, NY.
ABOUT THE ROLE
You will be a senior leader within the Science and Technology leadership team, with a focus on the East Region, responsible for translating and activating the practice's strategic vision across the enterprise. This role drives measurable growth outcomes, market expansion, pursuit leadership, and brand elevation. Operating at the firm-wide level, you will partner across convergence markets, business lines, and regional leadership to implement integrated growth strategies aligned with the firm's strategic framework. You will be accountable for the success of Regional Market Leaders and lead the development of high-performing leadership teams for strategic pursuits.
HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL DO
Strategic Ownership & Enterprise Impact
- Owns activation of the practice's strategic vision across offices, regions, and business lines.
- Shapes market entry strategies and client engagement plans.
- Partners with service lines to implement integrated growth strategies.
- Directly accountable for enabling Regional Market Leaders' success.
Growth Leadership & Market Expansion
- Achieve a minimum of 10% year-over-year growth for the Science and Technology practice.
- Participating in sourcing $40-100M per year through work with regional market leaders.
- Personally secure a minimum of $5M Net Signed Fee (NSF) annually through strategic pursuit identification and leadership.
- Identify and penetrate new markets and client segments aligned with the market vision.
- Lead convergence idea development and new initiatives that differentiate the firm.
Business Development Strategy & Pursuit Leadership
- Lead strategic positioning for large, complex pursuits, opening doors, shaping messaging, and helping teams win work.
- Build and mentor high-performing leadership teams for pursuit strategy and market development.
- Cultivate and leverage client relationships to expand market reach.
- Maintain a strong pulse on market dynamics, emerging trends, and competitive activity.
Brand Building & Thought Leadership
- Represent the firm externally at national events, conferences, and strategic forums.
- Write, speak, and communicate externally and assist positioning others to do the same, elevating the CannonDesign brands and services available for this market.
- Develop personal media presence and contribute to firmwide brand elevation.
- Collaborate with BMBD to develop content and messaging that drives market impact.
Culture & Collaboration
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing environment.
- Champion the firm's Living-Centered Design ethos and ethical culture.
- Demonstrate ownership, accountability, and entrepreneurial leadership.
- Partner across convergence, regional, and business line leadership to drive collective success.
How you'll spend your time
- 35% – Business strategy and coordination across regions.
- 55% – Business development, market activation, brand building, and leadership support including sourcing, pursuing, and securing new work and new clients.
- 10% - Billable work.
EXPECTATIONS OF SUCCESS
- Activation of national vision through regional and office-level strategies.
- Development and implementation of at least three new convergence initiatives annually.
- Growth in strategic pursuits influenced or supported by this role.
- Positive feedback from Regional Market Leaders and pursuit teams.
- Strong alignment between national messaging and local execution.
- Expansion of client relationships and measurable impact on business development outcomes.
- Visible leadership and influence in the market nationally.
- Achieve all the metrics identified in this posting related to securing new work and new clients through strategic pursuits.
Targets and performance metrics for this role are subject to change as CannonDesign periodically evaluates our performance metrics.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
- Live and champion Living-Centered Design.
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required.
- 15+ years of related experience.
- Must have a proven track record of strategic growth, market and team leadership, and business development success in the Science and Technology Market.
- Strong presentations skills are essential.
- Exceptional client and people leadership skills are required.
- Strong business acumen and proven ability to create and execute strategy is needed.
- Professional acumen and maturity demonstrated by the ability to communicate authentically and respectfully is essential.
- Ability to inspire, motivate and develop high-performing, accountable teams.
- Must be able to demonstrate sound judgement and a sound approach regarding risk management and mitigation.
- Some travel is required.
The salary range for this position is $166,400 to $208,000 annually. This salary range is the range we believe is the anticipated range of possible base compensation at the timing of the posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the anticipated salary range for the position. Employees may be eligible for discretionary bonuses. We offer a full benefit package including medical, dental and vision coverage and flexible spending account options and voluntary insurances. We have paid time off, flex-time schedules, remote work options and a 401k plan and employee perk programs. Actual compensation may vary from posting based on geographic location, work experience, education and/or skill level.
ABOUT OUR FIRM
CannonDesign is a design practice where strategy, experience, architecture, engineering, and social impact converge. We don't just dream up solutions — we create and bring them to life in ways to solve some of the biggest challenges facing our clients and the society. At the heart of everything we do is Living-Centered Design, a bold commitment to using our talents to not just improve the world but to truly reshape it for the better. It's more than a philosophy — it's who we are, and it drives us to make a meaningful, lasting difference every day.
ABOUT WORKING HERE
- We are relentless in our pursuit of client adoration (not simply satisfaction). Consistent delivery of the best service is what we are about.
- We are committed to ensuring our practice provides equal opportunities for all employees, as we strive to connect with communities around us and focus on the future of design. We support equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts that benefit all employees through the leadership of our DEI Council, our Employee Resource Groups which are open to everyone, and other community initiatives.
- We're about communication and transparency here. If you want to talk to someone about an idea you have, or a challenge that needs addressing, we're ready for you.
As a condition of employment, all employees are expected to complete mandatory training, including compliance training, within required timeframes and adhere to our internal policies and our Code of Conduct.
CannonDesign is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CannonDesign is committed to maintaining a work environment that is free from any and all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment. It is therefore the firm's policy to prohibit discrimination and harassment against any applicant, CannonDesign employee, vendor, contractor, or client on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. It is also CannonDesign's policy to prohibit any and all forms of retaliation against any individual who has complained of harassing or discriminatory conduct, or participated in a firm or agency investigation into such complaints.
If you think your skills, experience and aspirations make you a good match for this position, we encourage you to apply. This position may be filled anywhere in the United States. Preference may be given to candidates that can work in one of our East Region locations which includes: Arlington, VA, Baltimore, MD, Boston, MA, Charlotte, NC, and New York City, NY.
ABOUT THE ROLE
You will be a senior leader within the Science and Technology leadership team, with a focus on the East Region, responsible for translating and activating the practice's strategic vision across the enterprise. This role drives measurable growth outcomes, market expansion, pursuit leadership, and brand elevation. Operating at the firm-wide level, you will partner across convergence markets, business lines, and regional leadership to implement integrated growth strategies aligned with the firm's strategic framework. You will be accountable for the success of Regional Market Leaders and lead the development of high-performing leadership teams for strategic pursuits.
HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL DO
Strategic Ownership & Enterprise Impact
- Owns activation of the practice's strategic vision across offices, regions, and business lines.
- Shapes market entry strategies and client engagement plans.
- Partners with service lines to implement integrated growth strategies.
- Directly accountable for enabling Regional Market Leaders' success.
Growth Leadership & Market Expansion
- Achieve a minimum of 10% year-over-year growth for the Science and Technology practice.
- Participating in sourcing $40-100M per year through work with regional market leaders.
- Personally secure a minimum of $5M Net Signed Fee (NSF) annually through strategic pursuit identification and leadership.
- Identify and penetrate new markets and client segments aligned with the market vision.
- Lead convergence idea development and new initiatives that differentiate the firm.
Business Development Strategy & Pursuit Leadership
- Lead strategic positioning for large, complex pursuits, opening doors, shaping messaging, and helping teams win work.
- Build and mentor high-performing leadership teams for pursuit strategy and market development.
- Cultivate and leverage client relationships to expand market reach.
- Maintain a strong pulse on market dynamics, emerging trends, and competitive activity.
Brand Building & Thought Leadership
- Represent the firm externally at national events, conferences, and strategic forums.
- Write, speak, and communicate externally and assist positioning others to do the same, elevating the CannonDesign brands and services available for this market.
- Develop personal media presence and contribute to firmwide brand elevation.
- Collaborate with BMBD to develop content and messaging that drives market impact.
Culture & Collaboration
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing environment.
- Champion the firm's Living-Centered Design ethos and ethical culture.
- Demonstrate ownership, accountability, and entrepreneurial leadership.
- Partner across convergence, regional, and business line leadership to drive collective success.
How you'll spend your time
- 35% – Business strategy and coordination across regions.
- 55% – Business development, market activation, brand building, and leadership support including sourcing, pursuing, and securing new work and new clients.
- 10% - Billable work.
EXPECTATIONS OF SUCCESS
- Activation of national vision through regional and office-level strategies.
- Development and implementation of at least three new convergence initiatives annually.
- Growth in strategic pursuits influenced or supported by this role.
- Positive feedback from Regional Market Leaders and pursuit teams.
- Strong alignment between national messaging and local execution.
- Expansion of client relationships and measurable impact on business development outcomes.
- Visible leadership and influence in the market nationally.
- Achieve all the metrics identified in this posting related to securing new work and new clients through strategic pursuits.
Targets and performance metrics for this role are subject to change as CannonDesign periodically evaluates our performance metrics.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
- Live and champion Living-Centered Design.
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required.
- 15+ years of related experience.
- Must have a proven track record of strategic growth, market and team leadership, and business development success in the Science and Technology Market.
- Strong presentations skills are essential.
- Exceptional client and people leadership skills are required.
- Strong business acumen and proven ability to create and execute strategy is needed.
- Professional acumen and maturity demonstrated by the ability to communicate authentically and respectfully is essential.
- Ability to inspire, motivate and develop high-performing, accountable teams.
- Must be able to demonstrate sound judgement and a sound approach regarding risk management and mitigation.
- Some travel is required.
The salary range for this position is $166,400 to $208,000 annually. This salary range is the range we believe is the anticipated range of possible base compensation at the timing of the posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the anticipated salary range for the position. Employees may be eligible for discretionary bonuses. We offer a full benefit package including medical, dental and vision coverage and flexible spending account options and voluntary insurances. We have paid time off, flex-time schedules, remote work options and a 401k plan and employee perk programs. Actual compensation may vary from posting based on geographic location, work experience, education and/or skill level.
ABOUT OUR FIRM
CannonDesign is a design practice where strategy, experience, architecture, engineering, and social impact converge. We don't just dream up solutions — we create and bring them to life in ways to solve some of the biggest challenges facing our clients and the society. At the heart of everything we do is Living-Centered Design, a bold commitment to using our talents to not just improve the world but to truly reshape it for the better. It's more than a philosophy — it's who we are, and it drives us to make a meaningful, lasting difference every day.
ABOUT WORKING HERE
- We are relentless in our pursuit of client adoration (not simply satisfaction). Consistent delivery of the best service is what we are about.
- We are committed to ensuring our practice provides equal opportunities for all employees, as we strive to connect with communities around us and focus on the future of design. We support equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts that benefit all employees through the leadership of our DEI Council, our Employee Resource Groups which are open to everyone, and other community initiatives.
- We're about communication and transparency here. If you want to talk to someone about an idea you have, or a challenge that needs addressing, we're ready for you.
As a condition of employment, all employees are expected to complete mandatory training, including compliance training, within required timeframes and adhere to our internal policies and our Code of Conduct.
CannonDesign is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CannonDesign is committed to maintaining a work environment that is free from any and all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment. It is therefore the firm's policy to prohibit discrimination and harassment against any applicant, CannonDesign employee, vendor, contractor, or client on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. It is also CannonDesign's policy to prohibit any and all forms of retaliation against any individual who has complained of harassing or discriminatory conduct, or participated in a firm or agency investigation into such complaints.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Business Development Leader
Target employers with a sponsorship track record
Companies that have sponsored H-1B visas before understand the process and are far less likely to back out. Check whether a prospective employer has filed LCAs for business development roles specifically, not just technical positions.
Frame your degree as a specialty occupation match
USCIS scrutinizes business roles more than technical ones. Make sure your degree is in business, marketing, economics, or a directly related field. A mismatch between your degree and the job description is the most common denial trigger for this role.
Get your employment offer letter right
Your offer letter needs to specify the role title, duties, and that a bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required. Vague language like 'preferred' instead of 'required' weakens the specialty occupation argument and can lead to a Request for Evidence.
Understand the H-1B lottery timeline early
H-1B registration opens in March and the lottery runs before October 1. If you need sponsorship, align your job search and offer timeline accordingly. Starting negotiations in January or February gives employers enough runway to register on time.
Consider O-1 if you have a strong track record
Business Development Leaders with measurable revenue impact, press coverage, or high-profile deals may qualify for the O-1A visa. It has no lottery, no annual cap, and can be filed any time of year, making it a strong alternative to the H-1B.
Prepare documentation of your business impact
Sponsoring employers and USCIS both want evidence you are performing at a professional level. Quantified outcomes, client portfolio size, partnership agreements you have closed, and revenue figures you can attribute to your work all strengthen your petition significantly.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Business Development Leader role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
It can, but it requires careful documentation. USCIS expects the position to normally require a bachelor's degree in a specific field like business administration, marketing, or economics. Generic business development roles that accept any degree are more likely to receive a Request for Evidence. Your employer's job description needs to clearly tie the duties to a specific body of specialized knowledge.
What visa types are available for Business Development Leaders seeking sponsorship?
The H-1B is the most common path and requires employer sponsorship through the annual lottery. If you have extraordinary achievements in business development, such as significant revenue impact, press recognition, or industry awards, the O-1A visa is worth exploring. It has no lottery and can be filed year-round. Australians may also qualify for the E-3 visa, which has a separate annual cap and no lottery.
How often are H-1B petitions approved for business development roles?
USCIS does not publish approval rates broken down by job title, but business and sales roles historically face higher RFE rates than STEM positions because specialty occupation status is harder to establish. Approval depends heavily on how the employer documents the degree requirement. Working with an experienced immigration attorney and ensuring the job description is specific and degree-tied improves outcomes considerably.
What degree do I need for an employer to sponsor my H-1B as a Business Development Leader?
You need a bachelor's degree or higher in a field directly related to the role. Business administration, marketing, economics, finance, and international business are all strong matches. A degree in an unrelated field, even combined with years of experience, makes the specialty occupation argument harder to win. In some cases, three years of relevant work experience can substitute for one year of formal education, but this is harder to document and more likely to trigger scrutiny.
Where can I find Business Development Leader jobs that offer visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international professionals seeking visa-sponsored roles in the United States. All listings on Migrate Mate are filtered for sponsorship willingness, so you are not wasting time on applications where sponsorship is not on the table. Browsing by role type lets you focus on business development positions where employers are already open to working with international candidates.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Business Development Leader jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
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