Market Leader - Los Angeles

Cuningham•Los Angeles, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Market Leader will lead growth of Cuningham’s Culver City office across Los Angeles and the greater Los Angeles region. This seller-doer role spans multiple markets and combines proactive business development, client relationship building, pursuit leadership, and project leadership on select projects. The role focuses on creating opportunities ahead of formal RFPs, diversifying the office’s client and market portfolio, and turning relationships into revenue. Working with Office Directors, Market Leaders, and firm leadership, the Market Leader will identify where Cuningham can compete effectively, coordinate local and regional priorities, and align market opportunities with the firm’s talent and delivery capabilities. The position also contributes to business plans, marketing priorities, budgets, and pipeline forecasting. The Market Leader is based in the Culver City office and focuses on the Los Angeles region. Level will be determined based on experience and the scope of the role.

Requirements

15+ years of experience in architecture, design, or a related professional services field, including time in a manager- or director-level leadership role.
Proven seller-doer track record of winning work and leading it through planning, design, and construction.
Experience selling architecture, design, or similarly complex services across multiple market sectors.
Established relationships with developers, owners, operators, brokers, and public agencies in the Los Angeles region.
Strong understanding of the Los Angeles development and business environment, including entitlements, funding, and practical constraints affecting feasibility, funding, and construction.
Demonstrated success converting relationships into revenue and developing strategic accounts.
Executive presence and clear, confident communication; ability to build trust with client executives and community leaders.
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in architecture, interior design, or a related field.
Ability to travel throughout the Los Angeles region.
Proficiency with CRM tools and Microsoft Office.

Nice To Haves

Architect licensure is strongly preferred.
Experience with Deltek Vantagepoint is preferred.

Responsibilities

Set and lead the Culver City office’s business development strategy, including prioritizing clients, market sectors, relationships, and investments of time.
Build and manage a multi-market pipeline, cultivating opportunities before RFPs and advancing them from early conversations through contract award.
Develop and deepen relationships with developers, owners, operators, brokers, public agencies, community leaders, consultants, and contractors.
Expand and diversify the office’s client base and market-sector presence.
Monitor Los Angeles development activity, client needs, economic conditions, and competitors, and translate insights into opportunities.
Lead priority pursuits, including go/no-go decisions, win strategies, proposals, fees, interviews, and pursuit-team formation.
Coordinate client relationships and priorities with Office Directors, Market Leaders, and firm leadership to grow local and regional market share.
Represent Cuningham in the Los Angeles community through industry organizations, business and civic groups, conferences, speaking, and networking events.
Contribute to annual office and market business plans, marketing priorities, and budgets, and maintain current pipeline, relationship, and pursuit information in the CRM.
Serve as project leader on select projects, guiding clients and teams from planning and programming through design and construction, and partnering with project managers on scope, schedule, and fee.
Transition newly won work to project teams and ensure pursuit commitments are understood and carried into project delivery.
Act as a trusted client advisor, understand clients’ business goals, solve problems collaboratively, and build long-term partnerships and repeat work.
Coach project leaders on client relationships, business development, and pursuit strategy.
Align market opportunities with talent, delivery capabilities, and long-term growth goals in partnership with firm leadership.