Lighting Designer - Business Development Specialist

Mead & Hunt•Chicago, IL

About The Position

Mead & Hunt is hiring a full-time Lighting Designer – Business Development Specialist, with opportunities in Chicago, Illinois, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The role combines architectural lighting design with business development for building engineering services. The specialist develops lighting systems, plans, and specifications; provides construction-phase oversight; mentors less experienced designers; and identifies, obtains, and manages clients and projects. The role also supports strategic, business, and marketing plans, leads pursuits and proposal development, builds client relationships, and collaborates with business units and marketing staff. Frequent travel of approximately 20–25% to client sites and events is required, as is a valid driver's license.

Requirements

Meet one of the following qualifications: a bachelor's degree in marketing, business development, engineering, architecture, planning, or a related field from an accredited college or university, plus at least 7 years of relevant lighting design experience and marketing or business development specific to building engineering; or, without a degree, at least 10 years of that relevant experience.
Possess a valid driver's license.
Be able to travel frequently, approximately 20–25%, to client sites and events.
Have strong communication and organizational skills.
Be self-motivated and able to work independently and as part of a team.

Nice To Haves

At least 12 years of relevant work experience and marketing or business development specific to Building Engineering.
Experience developing proposals for professional services.
Demonstrated experience as a visible leader in the lighting community.
Experience executing architectural lighting designs.
Experience providing input on business and strategic plans.
Excellent problem-solving and time-management skills.
Exceptional project interview skills, including preparation and presenting.
Strong client relationships and client-management skills.
Experience or familiarity with generative AI-driven tools, platforms, or systems such as Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini to enhance productivity, automate tasks, and reduce errors.

Responsibilities

Develop architecturally sensitive lighting systems for buildings.
Develop lighting plans and specifications.
Provide construction-phase oversight of lighting systems.
Mentor less experienced lighting designers.
Identify, obtain, and manage new clients and projects.
Visit current and potential clients to understand their needs and services.
Assist with developing the A&BE group’s strategic, business, and marketing plans, including goals and activities to attain them.
Attend client meetings, including evening meetings.
Participate in trade shows and conferences.
Lead pursuits of new private clients, proposal development, and project scoping as needed.
Consult with the Business Unit Leader and marketing staff as needed.
Consult with and assist other Mead & Hunt business units, including cross-selling company services.
Create or assist with client presentations.
Perform other duties as assigned.