As a member of this exhibit design/build firm’s Business Development team, you will utilize your expert social skills, understanding of visitor experience institutions, and analytical abilities to cultivate relationships and sell custom exhibit design/build projects.

The ideal candidate is…

• Personable. You quickly build trust and rapport with prospective clients, and your colleagues describe you as “socially talented.”
• Detail-oriented. You have an eye for details—whether in reviewing an RFP, building a preliminary project budget, or proofing a proposal on a deadline. 
• Curious. You are eager to learn more about prospective clients, organizations, and projects, and discover how our design/build firm can best serve their needs. You are equally interested in learning about your coworkers’ skillsets and how our company completes custom design and fabrication work day in and day out.
• Flexible. You like to make a plan, but are able to adapt to a quickly shifting sales landscape and can cope with the uncertainty of delayed award dates and spur-of-the-moment interviews.

Job Responsibilities:

• Client relationships
  • Serve as the main point of contact for prospective clients via phone, email, and in-person communication.
  • Work with prospective clients to develop realistic project budgets and schedules, and understand our design and fabrication processes.
  • Assess project needs and evaluate whether they are a good fit with our team’s capabilities and/or capacity.
  • Serve as a resource for contracted clients throughout the life of their project, providing guidance on fundraising, scheduling, and project phasing as needed.

• Proposals
  • Review RFPs and gather additional information from RFP contacts to evaluate project fit for our design/build firm.
  • Identify in-house resources necessary to complete the proposal.
  • Work with Business Development staff to develop project teams and past project examples tailored to each proposal.
  • Coordinate subcontractors for proposals requiring team members and/or expertise we do not have in house.
  • Assemble proposals and submit to meet deadlines.
  • Follow up with RFP contacts about submitted proposals and seek evaluation feedback for unsuccessful bids.

• Handoff to project management
  • For awarded projects, coordinate with client on contracting, schedule, and kickoff logistics.
  • Hand off the project to our team, sharing a cohesive overview of the project, relevant client communication and expectations, and key considerations for project success. 

• Be our representative
  • Represent our company at industry trade shows, building lasting relationships with prospective clients, partners, and industry vendors.
  • Reach out to potential clients and establish relationships with relevant institutions, whether through email, cold calls, or in-person visits.
  • Coordinate the team for project interviews when required, gathering interview parameters from the prospective client and strategizing how to present our design/build capabilities in the best light.

• Other 
  • Hit sales quotas and projected revenue goals.
  • Maintain our firm’s sales tracking log, project forecasts, and revenue projections.
  • Stay current on market knowledge and museum trends.
  • Position reports to our company President.

Additional Skills:

• 2-5 years of experience in Business Development…OR the following…
• Experience in the museum and/or interpretation field 
• Expertise with Office and Google Suites
• Clear and skilled communicator, particularly via written formats
• Proven ability to hit deadlines
• Familiarity with Adobe Suite, particularly InDesign and/or Illustrator
• Familiarity with RFP and grant processes preferred 

Travel Requirements:

• Travel, up to 10%, is required for this position.
• Business Development staff travel to conferences and on-site meetings with prospective clients throughout the year. Conferences typically involve 2-3 days of travel; client meetings are typically 1-2 days. This can include travel by car or plane throughout the United States. 
• Travel is confirmed and communicated as far in advance as possible. Client meetings typically have less lead time. 

This position is hybrid, with at least two days a week in the office and more days as needed. For onboarding and proposal preparation, expect to be in the office more regularly.

How to Apply:

Send a pdf including your letter of interest*, your resume, and how you’ve been compensated in a similar role to our search manager, heather@soladayolson.com. Label your subject line “Your Name, Business Developer.”

*Respond to at least 2 of these questions…

1. Tell us how your experience to date applies to the responsibilities of this role.
2. What makes you an effective developer of new business for a company?
3. Share a story of your success in landing a new client.

We look forward to getting to know you!