Business Development Lead

About the Company

We are a Vancouver-based architecture and interior design firm creating functional, innovative, and aesthetically compelling spaces. Our services include interior design, space planning, renovations and alterations, architectural services, workplace strategy, and project coordination.

Our Vancouver practice serves clients across the commercial, workplace, retail, institutional, and municipal sectors. As part of our continued growth, we are seeking an experienced and results-driven Business Development Lead to expand our client base, develop strategic partnerships, generate new project opportunities, and strengthen our presence throughout British Columbia.

Position Summary

The Business Development Lead will be responsible for generating and converting new business opportunities, with a primary focus on tenant improvements, workplace, commercial interiors, retail, institutional, municipal, and related architectural projects.

This role will manage the business development cycle from market intelligence, prospecting, and qualification through proposal support, negotiation, contract finalization, and project handoff. Working closely with the architecture, interior design, marketing, and project teams, the Business Development Lead will build strategic relationships, identify opportunities before formal procurement begins, and secure profitable new work.

The ideal candidate is a proven business developer with an established network in British Columbia’s commercial real estate, development, property management, and construction industries. They will have strong sales and negotiation skills, a sound understanding of professional services, and the ability to independently create opportunities and convert relationships into projects.

Key Responsibilities

Market Development and Lead Generation

• Identify and pursue new project opportunities throughout British Columbia.
• Generate qualified leads through industry relationships, referrals, direct outreach, networking events, online platforms, and market research.
• Build relationships with:
  • Commercial real estate brokers
  • Property managers
  • Building owners
  • Developers
  • Corporate real estate leaders
  • Construction managers
  • General contractors
  • Project management consultants
  • Tenant representatives
  • Institutional and municipal decision-makers
• Build and maintain a consistent pipeline of prospective projects, clients, and strategic partners.
• Track market activity, including lease transactions, tenant relocations, workplace modernization initiatives, development activity, and capital improvement programs.
• Identify potential projects and position the firm before formal RFP, RFQ, or consultant-selection processes begin.
• Expand the firm’s presence across Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and other markets throughout British Columbia.

Client Relationship Management

• Build and maintain long-term relationships with existing and prospective clients.
• Conduct initial client meetings to understand project requirements, commercial objectives, budgets, schedules, procurement requirements, and decision-making processes.
• Work with the architecture, interior design, and project teams to develop appropriate project approaches, scopes of work, fee proposals, and presentations.
• Maintain consistent follow-up with prospective clients and move qualified opportunities toward engagement and contract award.
• Support a professional and responsive client experience throughout the business development process.
• Maintain relationships after project handoff to encourage repeat assignments, referrals, and broader account development.

Strategic Partnerships and Industry Engagement

• Establish and maintain relationships with commercial brokers, developers, architects, engineers, contractors, project managers, property managers, and other industry partners.
• Develop referral and teaming relationships that support the firm’s commercial, workplace, retail, institutional, and municipal growth objectives.
• Represent the firm at industry events, conferences, trade shows, networking functions, and client meetings.
• Participate actively in the British Columbia commercial real estate, development, construction, architecture, and interior design communities.
• Identify strategic partnerships and teaming opportunities for competitive pursuits and larger multidisciplinary projects.

Sales and Revenue Growth

• Contribute to monthly, quarterly, and annual sales and revenue targets.
• Qualify opportunities based on strategic fit, likelihood of success, available resources, profitability, and project risk.
• Prepare and deliver service proposals, fee submissions, presentations, and capability materials in collaboration with internal teams.
• Support commercial negotiations and contract finalization.
• Identify opportunities to expand the firm’s scope of services and increase the value of client engagements.
• Track lead sources, proposal activity, conversion rates, project awards, and revenue generated from new and existing clients.
• Focus on securing sustainable and profitable work aligned with the firm’s expertise and growth objectives.

Market Intelligence and Strategic Growth

• Maintain current knowledge of market trends, competitors, client activity, and upcoming opportunities.
• Monitor lease transactions, major developments, public-sector capital plans, workplace changes, and commercial renovation activity.
• Identify emerging sectors and prospective clients aligned with the firm’s strategic objectives.
• Develop recommendations for entering or expanding within the retail, institutional, and municipal markets.
• Provide regular reporting on the opportunity pipeline, conversion rates, market activity, and business development results.
• Recommend new service offerings, partnerships, and growth strategies based on market demand.

Marketing and Brand Development

• Collaborate with the marketing team to develop targeted campaigns, presentations, qualifications packages, and other business development materials.
• Support promotional activity through social media, digital marketing, industry organizations, and professional networking platforms.
• Identify opportunities to increase the firm’s visibility and credibility in the British Columbia market.
• Contribute market and client intelligence to proposal strategies, pursuit planning, and go/no-go decisions.
• Help communicate the firm’s capabilities, sector experience, and value proposition consistently across business development and marketing activities.

Internal Coordination and Reporting

• Work closely with architects, interior designers, project managers, estimators, marketing staff, and senior management to support pursuits and ensure smooth project handoffs.
• Maintain accurate client, contact, opportunity, and follow-up records using the firm’s CRM and business development systems.
• Prepare weekly and monthly business development reports.
• Provide management with timely updates on the sales pipeline, forecasts, key relationships, market developments, and upcoming procurement opportunities.
• Ensure that commitments made during the business development process are clearly documented and communicated to the project team.

Qualifications and Experience

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in business development, sales, client development, account management, or strategic relationship management.
• Demonstrated success securing professional services, construction-related, architectural, engineering, or commercial interior design work.
• An established network within British Columbia’s commercial real estate, development, property management, or construction industries.
• Strong understanding of tenant improvements, workplace projects, commercial interiors, development, construction, or related professional services.
• Proven ability to independently generate opportunities, develop relationships, advance pursuits, and close business.
• Strong communication, networking, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to evaluate opportunities from both a revenue and profitability perspective.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, CRM software, and digital communication tools.
• Valid driver’s licence and ability to attend client meetings, project sites, networking events, and industry functions throughout British Columbia.

A bachelor’s degree or diploma in business administration, marketing, sales, architecture, interior design, real estate, construction, or a related field is an asset. Equivalent professional experience will also be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in architecture, interior design, engineering, construction, commercial real estate, development, or project management.
• Existing relationships with major property owners, developers, commercial brokers, construction firms, property managers, and corporate occupiers in British Columbia or Western Canada.
• Familiarity with professional-services procurement, RFPs, RFQs, public procurement, consultant-selection practices, and fee proposals.
• Knowledge of commercial leasing, tenant improvement projects, workplace strategy, capital improvement programs, and commercial construction.
• Experience supporting growth in the retail, institutional, or municipal sectors.
• Membership or active involvement in industry organizations such as:
  • NAIOP
  • UDI
  • BOMA
  • CoreNet Global
  • ICSC
  • CREW Network

Compensation and Benefits

• Base Salary: CAD $65,000–$80,000 annually, depending on experience, qualifications, and professional network.
• Performance Incentives: Commission or performance-based bonus tied to qualified projects secured, revenue generated, and other agreed-upon business development results.
• Benefits: Extended health benefits and paid vacation.
• Growth Opportunities: Opportunity for advancement into a Business Development Manager or Director of Business Development position as the firm and market portfolio grow.