Account Manager - Luxury Retail Fabrication

Company Overview: At Gilbert, we create custom architectural millwork and interiors for high-end luxury retail brands. Our projects are highly customized, detail-driven, and require close collaboration between clients, architects, designers, general contractors, and our internal teams. We combine craftsmanship, technical knowledge, and creative problem-solving to bring our clients' visions to life.

Position Summary: We are seeking a client-focused, highly organized Pre-Sale Project Coordinator to support luxury retail millwork opportunities from initial inquiry through proposal development and project award. This role serves as a key point of contact for clients, helping guide them through the pre-sale process while coordinating with internal teams to clarify project scope, address questions, develop solutions, and prepare competitive proposals. The position combines client relationship management, project coordination, and consultative problem-solving, with a primary focus on developing opportunities and helping Gilbert win new business. The ideal candidate enjoys working directly with clients, can interpret architectural construction drawings at an intermediate level, and knows how to ask the right questions, recognize potential issues, and coordinate practical solutions. You will work closely with estimating, design, engineering, purchasing, and fabrication to help clients navigate project requirements, explore value-engineering opportunities, and make informed decisions. In addition to supporting active opportunities, you will maintain strong client relationships, identify opportunities to expand existing accounts, and help position Gilbert for future business.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Pre-Sale Project Development & Coordination

• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients throughout the pre-sale process, from initial inquiry through proposal development and project award.
• Receive and coordinate requests for information (RFIs), proposals (RFPs), design (RFDs), estimate (RFEs), and quotations (RFQs), as applicable to the project.
• Help clients navigate project requirements, clarify expectations, and identify the information needed to develop accurate proposals.
• Track outstanding questions, drawing revisions, pricing requests, client decisions, and deadlines to keep opportunities moving forward.
• Coordinate with internal teams to gather information, resolve questions, and ensure client requests are addressed accurately and on time.
• Lead or coordinate pre-sale discussions with clients, architects, designers, and general contractors to clarify scope, requirements, and potential solutions.

Drawing Review & Problem-Solving

• Review architectural construction drawings, elevations, details, specifications, and related project documents to understand the general millwork scope and requirements.
• Identify missing information, inconsistencies, and potential concerns that may affect pricing, design, fabrication, or installation.
• Ask appropriate questions and work with internal experts to clarify requirements and resolve potential issues.
• Help clients understand practical considerations and alternatives when a requested design, material, or approach presents a cost or feasibility challenge
• Collaborate with design, estimating, engineering, and fabrication teams to ensure proposed solutions align with client expectations and Gilbert's capabilities.

This role requires the ability to interpret construction drawings and recognize potential issues, but does not require drafting or engineering expertise.

Proposal Development

• Identify opportunities to simplify designs, improve cost efficiency, or recommend alternative materials and construction methods without compromising the client's core design intent or quality expectations.
• Work with estimating, design, purchasing, and fabrication to evaluate alternatives and develop practical, cost-effective solutions.
• Help communicate recommendations to clients, explaining the benefits, considerations, and potential cost implications.
• Coordinate with estimating and internal stakeholders to ensure proposals accurately reflect project scope, specifications, client expectations, and agreed-upon assumptions.
• Track proposal deadlines, coordinate revisions, and follow up on outstanding questions or information needed to finalize pricing.
• Support client discussions and follow-up efforts that help move opportunities toward award.

Client Relationship Management & Account Growth

• Build and maintain strong relationships with assigned clients, architects, designers, procurement teams, and other key stakeholders.
• Understand client needs, brand standards, business objectives, and upcoming project opportunities.
• Maintain regular communication to identify future work and position Gilbert early in the project planning process.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing customer relationships and introduce Gilbert's capabilities across architectural interiors, retail environments, trade shows, experiential marketing, and custom fabrication.
• Develop relationships with additional business units, brands, and decision-makers within existing client organizations.
• Collaborate with leadership and internal teams on strategic account growth and opportunities to strengthen Gilbert's position with key clients.
• Deliver a responsive, professional customer experience that builds trust and encourages long-term partnerships.

Project Handoff

• Ensure proposals, scope clarifications, assumptions, and client commitments are properly documented.
• Coordinate a smooth handoff to Project Management once a project is awarded, ensuring the agreed-upon scope, pricing assumptions, client expectations, and outstanding items are clearly communicated.
• Participate in project kickoff meetings for major accounts as needed to support continuity and a positive client experience.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 2+ years of experience in account management, project coordination, business development, estimating, architectural millwork, commercial interiors, construction, manufacturing, or a related field.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural construction drawings and specifications at an intermediate level.
• Strong client relationship and communication skills, with the ability to work confidently with architects, designers, general contractors, procurement teams, and other stakeholders.
• A consultative, solutions-oriented approach to working with clients and addressing project challenges.
• Ability to recognize potential scope gaps or feasibility concerns and coordinate with the appropriate internal experts to resolve them.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and consistent follow-through.
• Ability to manage multiple opportunities, requests, and deadlines simultaneously.
• A collaborative working style and the ability to coordinate effectively across client-facing, technical, and manufacturing teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; familiarity with CRM systems.

Work Location: In person