Business Development Professional

Job Description

Job Description

Salary:

SMMA is looking for an experienced Business Developer to join our team and help guide the firms client development strategy. This role focuses on identifying opportunities, building relationships, and supporting the growth of our design practice across key markets, including K12, Higher Education, Life Sciences, Technology, Government, Workplace, and Development.

Were seeking someone with a strong background in the AEC industry who understands the dynamics of our industry, and can work comfortably with clients, partners, and internal teams. Youll collaborate with firm leadership, market leaders, and our marketing group to pursue new relationships, develop outreach campaigns, and strengthen connections across our markets.

This position is based in SMMAs Cambridge, MA headquarters and plays a central role in supporting the firms business development efforts across all three of our office locations: Cambridge, MA, Providence, RI, and Manchester, NH. While the role will operate primarily from Cambridge, it will actively contribute to market growth and relationship building throughout the region.

Key Responsibilities:

Sales Strategy & Market Development

• Partner with the CMO and the Client Development team to define and implement SMMAs client development and sales strategy across all core markets.
• Identify high-value growth sectors and client types through strategic market research and trend analysis.
• Work with market leaders to develop and manage a forward-looking business development plan that aligns with SMMAs market goals and firmwide strategy.
• Support and coach market leaders in sales conversations, positioning, and outreach efforts.
• Identify new business opportunities and strategic partnerships within target markets.
• Translate qualitative and quantitative insights into actionable strategies that open doors and convert leads into lasting client relationships.

Client Relationship Building

• Cultivate strong, trust-based relationships with prospective clients, industry partners, and influencers.
• Facilitate introductions and connections between clients and SMMA leadership, ensuring alignment with firm expertise and cultural fit.
• Serve as a visible representative of the firm at industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities.

Lead Generation & Pipeline Management

• Leverage internal tools, external networks, and market insights to identify, qualify, and advance new business opportunities.
• Manage and evolve the firms CRM (Vantagepoint), ensuring it is a central, reliable tool for pipeline and relationship tracking.
• Collaborate with market leaders and marketing staff to maintain a shared understanding of active pursuits, prospects, and touchpoints.
• Use CRM insights to develop outreach strategies, coordinate follow-ups, and analyze performance metrics.

Collaboration & Marketing Integration

• Partner with the Marketing team to tailor campaigns and assets that support market-specific sales goals.
• Provide insight and feedback to shape SMMAs brand presence in ways that support business development objectives.
• Support event strategy and participation planning to maximize visibility and return on engagement.

Qualifications:

• Well-established experience developing new business and building client relationships in the A/E/C industry.
• Demonstrated success in growing top-line revenue, expanding client relationships, and generating new business opportunities.
• Deep understanding of the design and construction industry, with an ability to translate technical offerings into client value.
• Proven ability to collaborate across disciplines, manage complex initiatives, and communicate at all levels of an organization.
• Experience with CRM systems and other business intelligence platforms such as CoStar, GovWin, ZoomInfo, and BisCred.
• Strategic thinker with excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

About the Firm

70 years ago, SMMA pioneered an approach that integrates architecture, engineering, interior design, and planning to turn the most tangled design problems into refined and unexpected answers. Together, our diverse, integrated team of experts works across disciplines, sharing perspectives, inspirations, and ideas. We are bound by mutual trust, aligned by shared values, and united in focus on a single goalour clients goal.

Our work straddles seven markets Development, Government, Higher Education, K-12, Life Sciences, Technology, and Workplacewith the opportunity to work across a wide range of projects and specialisms.

SMMA is a 100% employee-owned company, where every team member is an invested stakeholder. Our collective ownership fuels our passion for excellence, driving us to attract top talent and deliver exceptional results for our clients. Here, your voice matters, your ideas shape our future, and your success directly contributes to our shared growth.

• Employee-owned firm with Employee Stock Ownership Program
• Hybrid work-from-home policy
• Competitive benefits including paid time-off, company-funded MA Paid Family and Medical Leave, company-paid dental plan, company-paid life insurance, and 401(K) matching
• Employee Assistance Program (includes confidential emotional support, legal guidance, and financial resources)
• Mentor/protg program
• Educational reimbursement
• Licensure and membership reimbursement
• Lunch and Learns with internal and external speakers

Please note: SMMA does not offer H-1B visa sponsorship for this position.