Strategic Business Development Lead

1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants

At Ghirardelli Associates we take pride in the accomplishments of our Associates and the environment that we foster. As a Great Place to Work, we strive to provide continuous growth and opportunities for our employees with the best benefits package and competitive wages we can offer. We’re not just an employer, we are family! We are proud to shape the communities we live in, while creating a positive environment for our associates to foster creativity and growth.

• Competitive PTO
• 9 Paid Holidays
• Bonus Programs
• Company Vehicle (depending on assignment)
• Medical Insurance
• Vision Plan
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Wellness Rewards Program
• Life Insurance
• Profit Sharing
• 401(k) Plan (employer matching program)

The Strategic Business Development Lead will drive the firm’s growth in Southern California by strengthening our market share in Project & Program Management, Construction Management, Municipal Engineering Services, and Public Outreach. Working in both existing sectors and new adjacent markets we choose to enter, this role combines client mining, pursuit of new opportunities, partnership building, staff mentoring, and market positioning — ensuring immediate results while building long‑term strategic growth.

• Mine Existing Contracts – Grow revenue from current clients through scope expansion & repeat business.
• Capture New Business – Build pipeline and secure new wins across SoCal.
• Build Strategic Partnerships – Mentor–mentee relationships with small & diverse firms for mutual growth.
• Develop Seller–Doers – Mentor staff into client‑facing BD contributors.
• Shape Market Positioning – Strengthen visibility in current & future markets.
• Align Talent to Growth – Match staff skills & ambitions to roles, support staffing & recruiting needs.

• Executive Leadership – firmwide growth & diversification strategy.
• BD Leadership – pipeline priorities & pursuit strategies.
• Marketing – positioning, proposals & campaigns.
• Southern California Division Director – align BD with delivery & divisional goals.
• Recruiting Manager – staffing & talent planning aligned with growth.

• Revenue growth from both mined contracts & new wins.
• Increased market share across all four service offerings.
• Expanded presence in adjacent/new markets.
• Formalized partnerships with small & diverse firms.
• Staff developed into seller–doers.
• Strong BD–Ops–Marketing–Recruiting alignment.
• Elevated firm visibility & positioning in target markets.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Project Management, Construction Management, Business Administration, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in business development, project/program management, or municipal engineering services within Southern California.
• Proven track record of driving revenue growth through client development, strategic partnerships, and market expansion.

• Deep understanding of Project & Program Management, Construction Management, Municipal Engineering Services, and Public Outreach.
• Familiarity with Southern California’s public agency landscape, procurement processes, and regulatory environment.
• Experience working with small and diverse firms, including mentoring and partnership development.

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to mentor staff into seller–doers and align talent with strategic growth initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to shape market positioning and elevate brand visibility in competitive environments.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to identify and pursue adjacent market opportunities.

• Exceptional business development acumen, including client mining, pipeline building, and securing new wins.
• Collaborative approach to working with executive leadership, marketing, recruiting, and operations teams.
• Skilled in proposal development, campaign execution, and pursuit strategy alignment.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication…