Director of Marketing

Position Summary The Director of Marketing provides strategic leadership for the firm’s marketing and business development functions, with direct management of a four-person team focused on proposal development, qualifications packages, and pursuit coordination across multiple engineering disciplines. This role aligns brand, pursuits, and client engagement strategies to drive sustainable growth, and serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, translating technical solutions into clear, compelling narratives that elevate the firm’s market position. The Director ensures consistency, operational efficiency, and scalability within the marketing function while fostering a culture grounded in excellence, integrity, stewardship, and collaboration. Essential Functions Proposal Development & Pursuit Management Lead and oversee the full proposal development lifecycle, including SF330s, RFP/RFQ responses, and qualifications packages across federal, state, and local procurement processes. Partner with executive and operational leadership to identify strategic pursuits, guide go/no-go decisions, and position the firm for high-value opportunities. Integrate marketing and business development efforts to strengthen pursuit strategies, improve win rates, and support seller-doer initiatives. Translate technical project work into compelling, client-focused messaging that communicates value, impact, and differentiation. Contribute directly to proposal production as needed to support critical, high-priority pursuits. Team Leadership & Management Directly manage, mentor, and develop a team of four marketing and proposal professionals; set clear performance goals, conduct regular reviews, and build individual growth plans. Recruit, onboard, and retain high-performing team members; make staffing and resource allocation decisions within the department. Support employee development through ongoing coaching, constructive feedback, and recognition of achievements. Lead interdisciplinary collaboration across practice groups to support pursuit planning, client engagement, and firmwide initiatives. Strategy & Brand Develop and execute marketing strategies aligned with firmwide growth objectives, revenue targets, and priority markets. Oversee the quality and continuous improvement of all marketing materials, including proposals, qualifications packages, and brand assets. Leverage market research, industry trends, and emerging technologies to inform strategy and maintain a forward-looking marketing approach. Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, partners, and industry stakeholders to support long-term growth. Implement scalable systems, tools, and workflows that enhance efficiency, consistency, and data-driven decision-making. Perform additional duties as assigned. Education & Experience Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, English, journalism, or a related field. 8–12 years of progressive marketing experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership or people-management role. Minimum of 5 years of experience within the A/E/C (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry. Demonstrated experience managing proposal teams and responding to public-sector and private-sector solicitations. Business development or client relationship experience preferred. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Proposal & Business Development In-depth knowledge of A/E/C procurement practices, including SF330, RFP/RFQ, and government solicitation formats. Advanced capabilities in technical writing, proposal development, and marketing communications for a multi-discipline engineering audience. Experience with go/no-go frameworks and pursuit pipeline management. Familiarity with CRM and proposal management platforms such as Deltek Vision or equivalent systems. Leadership & Collaboration Proven ability to lead, develop, and retain a small, high-output marketing team in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Strong skills in coaching, conflict resolution, and performance development. Demonstrated ability to build trust and collaborate effectively with executives, technical staff, and external clients. Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a focus on clarity, strategy, and impact. Technical & Operational High proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, including Word, PowerPoint, and Teams. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Acrobat); experience with visual storytelling techniques. Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to prioritize competing demands and manage multiple active pursuits simultaneously. High attention to detail and commitment to quality in all deliverables. Strong presentation and public speaking capabilities. Ability to maintain professional standards and adhere to firm health, safety, and operational requirements. Travel: Occasional travel for client meetings, industry conferences, or firm events may be required. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, and/or responsibilities required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time. Please note that sponsorship is not available now or in the future for this position. About TERRA Engineering TERRA Engineering, Ltd. was founded by Karen Steingraber and Jamil Bou-Saab in 1992, beginning their journey building strong relationships with clients. In 2000, Senior Vice President George Ghareeb joined the team and began overseeing operations in a then-newly opened office in Peoria, Illinois. Since then, TERRA has continued expanding our reach to broaden our markets and serve additional communities, adding offices in St.Louis (2011), Milwaukee (2013), and Bolingbrook, Illinois (2025). We are proud of our 115+ employees who contribute their talent and skills to TERRA’s success. As we continue to grow, we maintain a strong focus on the development of our team members through mentorship, collaboration, and the continual refining of our collective body of knowledge. At TERRA Engineering, our mission of enhancing communities starts from within. TERRA Provides Competitive compensation packages including sign-on bonus, annual bonus program, paid holidays and paid time off Comprehensive healthcare benefits Retirement plan options with safe harbor match and profit sharing Hybrid/Flexible work arrangements for most positions A warm culture that is conducive to growth and professional development And more! In accordance with local law, the estimated salary range is applicable to the position and location associated with this posting. Compensation will vary based upon experience, education, skill level, geographical location, and other compensable factors. The employment policy of TERRA Engineering, Ltd. is to provide equal opportunity to all persons. Our company, therefore, has made a commitment to equal employment opportunity through a positive and continuing affirmative action program. No employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, military and/or veteran status, or any other Federal or State legally protected classes. TERRA Engineering, Ltd. will recruit, hire, train and promote qualified individuals in all job titles, and ensure that all other personnel actions are administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, military and/or veteran status, or disability in accordance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, which require affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. TERRA Engineering, Ltd. does not discriminate on the basis of national origin or citizenship status as provided under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Notice to Third Party Agencies TERRA does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to TERRA in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where TERRA has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of TERRA and TERRA will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service. #J-18808-Ljbffr Terra Engineering