Business Development Leader, Hospitality

DLR Group•Chicago, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

DLR Group is seeking a motivated Business Development Leader to drive growth in its Hospitality Sector. This role is ideal for an individual who excels at identifying key decision-makers, building strong relationships, and collaborating with design teams. The candidate should be entrepreneurial, socially fearless, and capable of leading initiatives to find new opportunities while nurturing existing client relationships. This position is within an employee-owned firm that values diverse design voices and impactful work.

Requirements

Interpersonal Skills: Outgoing and personable, adept at quickly building rapport and effective relationships, both internally and externally.
Tenacity & Resilience: Enthusiastic about reaching out to prospects and resilient in facing rejection, with a strong sense of urgency and consistency in meeting deadlines.
Professional Demeanor: Polished and capable of representing the firm at all levels, with a keen attention to detail, especially in marketing materials and communications.
Receptive & Eager Learner: Open to feedback and constructive criticism, demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning.
Organizational & Collaborative Skills: Excellent at prioritizing and managing multiple tasks efficiently; comfortable in both leadership and team-player roles with diverse personalities.
Self-Starter & Knowledgeable: Motivated to work independently with minimal supervision, committed to understanding the firm’s practices, services, and goals.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree
10+ years of relevant business development experience and/or sales experience within the A/E/C, Design, or other relevant industries.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products and experience utilizing CRM software.
Involvement in community industry organizations.
Strong oral, written communication, meeting facilitation, and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

Identify, research, and qualify pursuit leads for full-scale, lifestyle, and luxury projects within the A/E/C or relevant hospitality industry.
Focus on Lifestyle, Upper Upscale, Full Service, and Luxury brands and developers.
Collaborate with other design discipline teams (e.g., Interiors) to deliver integrated, client-focused solutions.
Cultivate and manage long-term client relationships, maintaining engagement with current and former clients.
Develop and maintain a robust pipeline of qualified opportunities, leading business development efforts.
Actively engage in industry organizations and committees.
Gain familiarity with DLR Group’s portfolio, experts, design ethos, and regional and national hospitality trends.
Collaborate on sector marketing strategies and annual business planning.
Meet or exceed growth and fee targets.
Attend and assist in the coordination of industry conferences, including logistics, registrations, and collateral.
Prepare Business Development Reports.
Lead weekly strategy meetings.
Maintain CRM and BD Tracking Report.
Coordinate with the Marketing Team for RFQ/P responses, review proposals, and assist with interview logistics.