Director of Market Strategy, Northeast

Toole Design Group • Portland, ME

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

At Toole Design, we’re leading the way in creating safer, more connected communities through sustainable multimodal transportation design. We’re looking for a creative, proactive, and collaborative Director of Market Strategy, Northeast in Portland, ME to help strengthen the firm’s market position, visibility, and business development across the region. This role is ideal for an experienced business development, marketing, and communications professional with a background in planning, engineering, landscape architecture, urban design, or related field. The Director of Market Strategy, Northeast will work closely with regional leadership, technical staff, and firmwide marketing and business development resources to devise and implement strategies that strengthen Toole Design's presence across the Northeast (New England and New York), support regional growth, identify new opportunities, and build internal business development capacity. As a member of the Northeast Regional Leadership Team, this position will help guide long-term market strategy, client development, strategic pursuits, external partnerships, and regional visibility efforts. The role also serves as a strategic advisor on how Toole Design communicates its expertise, helping staff translate technical work into compelling stories and visually engaging communications that strengthen client relationships and support growth. The role is responsible for ensuring that Toole Design's expertise, project impact, and values are communicated clearly and consistently to clients, partners, and communities.

Requirements

• 15+ years of experience in business development, strategic marketing, communications, market strategy, or related fields with progressively increasing responsibility, including experience in senior leadership or management role within the A/E industry
• Experience leading strategic marketing initiatives, communications planning, business development strategy, or brand positioning efforts
• Experience in transportation planning and engineering, landscape architecture, urban design, architecture, and construction industry, or related fields strongly preferred
• Excellent writing, editing, communication and storytelling skills including the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear and compelling narratives
• Familiarity or involvement with industry organizations such as ACEC, WTS, SMPS, or equivalent
• Experience supporting client development, strategic pursuits, relationship management, or regional growth initiatives
• Strong organizational and task management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Ability to build relationships, influence without direct authority and work effectively across interdisciplinary teams
• Commitment to Toole Design's mission and values, including advancing equity, safety, sustainability, and accessibility in the built environment
• The ideal candidate combines strategic thinking, business development experience, market awareness and exceptional communication skills with a collaborative approach to advancing regional growth. They understand how compelling storytelling, thoughtful visual communication, and strong relationships can help Toole Design build trust, differentiate ourselves, and win work in established and emerging markets.

Responsibilities

• Lead regional business development and communications strategies that strengthen Toole Design's position across Northeast markets
• Support development and implementation of regional business plans by partnering with regional leadership to identify growth opportunities, market priorities, and strategic investments
• Identify market trends, emerging opportunities, priority clients, funding programs and partnership opportunities to support regional business development efforts
• Manage thought leadership, project communications, digital content, and social media strategy
• Advise project teams and regional leaders on effective communication strategies and at times develop compelling visual storytelling techniques that strengthen client engagement and market positioning while helping clients, partners, and communities understand the value of Toole Design's work
• Identify opportunities to showcase regional expertise through conferences, awards, media, speaking engagements, and industry events
• Support strategic pursuit positioning by helping teams articulate market strengths, client value, partnership approaches, and winning strategies for key opportunities
• Help strengthen relationships with key clients, partner firms, as well as industry and community organizations throughout the region
• Help curate a culture of shared business development responsibility by coaching and supporting staff across disciplines and career stages with strategic communications, business development, and client engagement practices
• Support efforts that advance Toole Design's mission and values, including equitable, safe, and sustainable transportation systems and public spaces

Benefits

• A collaborative, inclusive culture that supports your growth and advancement
• Hybrid schedule with in-office team days (Tuesday–Thursday)
• 8 paid holidays
• at least 16 days of PTO accrued annually
• Competitive salary, excellent benefits, and transportation perks
• Projects that truly improve lives through safe, inclusive design rooted in ethics, empathy, and equity
• Work alongside thought leaders and industry experts who are committed to mentoring and helping you grow your expertise

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed