Business Development Manager

Explore Design (ExD) is an award-winning architecture and interior design firm headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska. For more than 40 years, we've partnered with communities across the state to create authentic and joyous design that serves education, healthcare, transportation, military, civic, project management and workplace environments.

People are at the center of everything we do. We believe relationships drive great design, and we are looking for someone who shares that philosophy. Essential to our firm’s culture is super collaboration and mentorship. We love to work together on solutions.

We are seeking an experienced Business Development Manager & Marketing Lead to join the ExD team. This position is responsible for driving the firm's growth through strategic business development, client relationship management, market positioning, and pursuit leadership while partnering closely with our Marketing team to deliver a cohesive and impactful marketing program, working in collaboration together.

If you enjoy connecting people, identifying opportunities, leading pursuits, and helping shape the future of a growing design firm, we'd love to meet you.

This position serves as the firm's leader for business development and strategic marketing initiatives. The successful candidate will cultivate client relationships, identify new opportunities, oversee pursuit strategies, and guide marketing efforts that support Explore Design's long-term growth.

You will have agency and authorship on your efforts in connection with you and ExD Leadership, working together on alignments for opportunities. The candidate selected must understand the value of collaboration and leverage it in a Team environment.

Develop and implement firm-wide business development strategies

Build and maintain relationships with existing and prospective clients

Identify new market opportunities and strategic partnerships

Develop annual business development plans with firm leadership

Track and manage the firm's opportunity pipeline in CRM

Coordinate client outreach, networking, and targeted conference participation

Represent Explore Design in professional organizations and community events

Lead Go/No-Go discussions and pursuit planning

Develop pursuit strategies that align with firm goals

Develop proposal strategy and messaging

Coordinate interview preparation and presentation strategy

Participate in proposal production alongside the marketing team

Monitor pursuit success metrics and continuously improve processes

Develop annual marketing strategies and budgets

Evaluate marketing KPIs and return on investment

Identify emerging market trends and positioning opportunities

Collaborate on thought leadership initiatives, presentations, and industry engagement

Guide market positioning across targeted sectors

Work collaboratively with Principals to establish business priorities

Partner with the Brand Manager & Marketing Lead to ensure alignment between business strategy and brand execution

Communicate to EXD staff in business development and pursuit activities

Foster a collaborative and positive marketing culture

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or related fields

7+ years of experience in business development, marketing, or professional services

Experience in the AEC industry strongly preferred

Proven success developing client relationships and winning work

Strong understanding of proposal strategy and interview preparation

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Exceptional organizational and project management abilities

Experience with CRM systems and opportunity tracking

Ability to manage…