Business Development Lead

Cooper Carry•Charlotte, NC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Business Development Lead is responsible for driving revenue growth by identifying new business opportunities, developing strategic partnerships, and expanding the firm’s market presence. This role leads the full lifecycle of business development—from market research and prospecting through proposal development, negotiation, and deal closure. This role requires strategic thinking, effective communication, proactive leadership, and a focus on relationship-building and opportunity identification in North Carolina and South Carolina. The PreK–12 market requires specialized relationship development, long sales cycles, and deep understanding of school district procurement, funding, and decision-making structures. As the dedicated Business Development lead for PreK-12 North Carolina and South Carolina, you will be responsible for: Building and manage a qualified PreK–12 opportunity pipeline. Strengthening relationships with school districts capital improvement decision-makers, administrators, and channel partners Increase win rates by aligning solutions to district needs and funding cycles. Create consistency and accountability in PreK–12 revenue generation. The role's intent is to establish and scale Cooper Carry’s market presence in the North Carolina and South Carolina region for PreK-12 architectural design projects.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in business development, client development, or related role within the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, Construction) industry
Proven track record of generating and securing new business and building long-term client relationships.
Strong understanding of the architectural design process and project delivery methods
Existing relationships with North Carolina and South Carolina school district decision-makers
Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills
Strategic thinker with the ability to execute and deliver results.
Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, (or equivalent experience)

Nice To Haves

Experience working across multiple markets or regions preferred.

Responsibilities

Identify, evaluate, and prioritize new business opportunities in alignment with organizational goals.
Conduct market sector research to understand industry trends, emerging markets, and competitive landscapes.
Develop and execute go-to-market strategies to penetrate new segments or regions.
Build and manage a robust pipeline of qualified prospects through outreach, networking, and partnerships.
Lead discovery meetings to understand client needs and propose effective solutions.
Maintain accurate forecasting and pipeline reporting.
Establish and maintain relationships with school districts, charter networks, and education agencies.
Engage with district decision-makers (superintendents, finance officers, facilities, IT, operations)
Represent the company at education-focused conferences and events.
Lead the development of proposals, presentations, and RFP responses.
Collaborate with internal teams (product, finance, marketing, operations) to craft tailored solutions.
Negotiate terms, pricing, and contracts to secure profitable deals.
Work closely with marketing to refine messaging, positioning, and lead-generation campaigns.
Coordinate with product and delivery teams to ensure client expectations are met or exceeded.
Provide strategic insights into leadership regarding market shifts, risks, and opportunities.
Coordinate with business development leaders in Denver, Atlanta, DC, and future practice locations to collaboratively grow PreK-12 Sector.