Marketing Manager, Business Development (BD)

Olson Kundig • Chicago, IL

23h • $130,000 - $150,000

About The Position

Olson Kundig is seeking a Marketing Manager, Business Development (BD) to lead the Firm’s BD function at the operational level. The role works closely with the Director of Marketing, BD, the Director of Marketing, Communications, and the Marketing Manager, Communications to coordinate pursuit production, manage team workflow, and support competitive positioning across diverse project types and geographies. The successful candidate will bring strong BD instincts, deep AEC industry knowledge, and the ability to balance day-to-day execution with strategic awareness in a fast-paced environment. The role collaborates with internal teams to deliver results within specified deadlines.

The selected candidate is expected to work regularly in Chicago. Domestic travel of 5% may be required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Architecture, or a closely related field.
• Minimum 8–10 years of relevant experience working in the AEC industry (architecture, engineering, and construction).
• Advanced proficiency in BD operations, pursuit management, proposal development, team leadership, and workflow coordination.
• Knowledge of BD processes, pursuit strategy, and proposal development within the AEC industry.
• Knowledge of CRM platforms, pipeline management, and pursuit management tools.
• Knowledge of architecture, engineering, construction, design practice operations, and industry trends.
• Strong team leadership and workflow management skills.
• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with close attention to detail.
• Strong BD, proposal management, and pursuit coordination skills.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple active pursuits simultaneously.
• Ability to manage competing priorities while balancing strategic and operational responsibilities.
• Ability to mentor, coach, and develop Marketing and BD staff.
• Ability to foster a collaborative, constructive, and solutions-focused team culture.
• Intermediate proficiency in MS Word, MS Outlook, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Teams, web browsers, ERP (Deltek), digital file organization, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe InDesign.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship and already possess long-term work authorization.

Nice To Haves

• Interest in architecture, design, and the built environment.
• Experience with CRM platforms and pursuit management tools.
• Experience developing team members and fostering collaborative team cultures.

Responsibilities

• Manage and mentor Marketing Coordinators and Graphic Designers across proactive and inbound BD functions; conduct check-ins, provide performance feedback, support professional development, and serve as a first point of escalation.
• Translate BD strategy into assignments, timelines, and priorities; oversee workflow, allocate resources, balance workloads, and maintain the BD planning calendar across pursuits, pipeline activity, and team capacity.
• Align BD planning with team capacity, project milestones, and Firm priorities in collaboration with marketing and BD colleagues.
• Manage pursuit production for RFQs, RFPs, SOQs, and interview packages, including written content, graphics coordination, and final assembly.
• Guide pursuit narrative and positioning with the Director and relevant Shareholders; manage timelines, review cycles, submission logistics, go/no-go support, and interview preparation.
• Maintain visibility across the BD pipeline, including active pursuits, upcoming opportunities, and relationship activity.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate cross-departmental operational meetings, including the weekly contracts check-in.
• Track pursuit status, contracts, LOAs, and ASRs; coordinate follow-up and accountability across the BD team.
• Support CRM development and the institutionalization of relationship-tracking systems and BD best practices in support of the Senior Marketing Specialist, BD.
• Monitor industry trends and emerging opportunities with the Director and Senior Marketing Specialist, BD.
• Serve as a primary coordination point between BD and Communications; collaborate on awards, events, and shared initiatives.
• Support coordination of lectures, juries, and presentations with Directors and Communications leadership as needed.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of BD systems, templates, and operational infrastructure in support of the Senior Marketing Specialist, BD.
• Track BD budgets, including pursuit and interview costs, monitor spending, and align resources with pursuit priorities.
• Maintain monthly reporting on BD activities, pipeline, and pursuit outcomes.
• Perform additional duties and projects as assigned or necessary.

Benefits

• 21 days of paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Health plan
• 401k match
• Bonuses
• Profit-sharing plans for qualified positions
• Monthly travel subsidy for public transportation
• Opportunity to grow professionally
• Creative work environment with collaborative, creative, and challenging colleagues

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager