Business Development Director

At Holst Architecture, we believe people do their best work when they are engaged in meaningful projects with clients who share our values. The Business Development Director leads Holst’s business development strategy, guiding the firm toward new work that aligns with our design strengths, supports long-term profitability, and fosters sustainable growth. As Holst’s current Business Development Director prepares for retirement, we are hiring their successor. We anticipate a transition period of several months during which both directors will work together to ensure a smooth handoff, support knowledge transfer, effective onboarding, and continued organizational success.

Through a deep understanding of our markets, clients, and industry trends, the Business Development Director develops and supports strategic relationships, finds new pursuits, and collaborates closely with Directors and Principals to position the firm for success. The Business Development Director reports to and is accountable to the Holst Owners.

Specific Responsibilities

Business Development Strategy: Lead the planning, budgeting, implementation, and evaluation of business development initiatives that support firmwide goals.

Market Intelligence: Monitor market trends, emerging opportunities, client needs, and competitive conditions to inform strategic decision-making.

Relationship Management: Build and strengthen relationships with clients, partners, community leaders, and industry influencers to advance Holst’s business goals and reputation.

Pursuit Leadership: Advise and support strategic pursuits, including positioning, messaging, interview preparation, and quality assurance.

Team Development: Mentor staff and foster a culture of business development throughout the firm, building awareness, skills, and accountability.

Community Engagement: Manage Holst’s philanthropic giving and volunteer initiatives to strengthen community partnerships and employee engagement.

Key Skills

Strategic Thinking & Market Insight: Ability to assess market conditions, identify prospects, and align business development efforts with firm goals.

Relationship Building: Demonstrated success developing trusted relationships that lead to long-term partnerships and new business potential.

Communication & Influence: Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences and represent Holst effectively.

Planning & Execution: Strong organizational skills with the ability to move initiatives from strategy to implementation while maintaining accountability and momentum.

Problem-Solving & Judgment: Ability to analyze complex situations, name solutions, and provide informed recommendations to firm leadership.

Initiative & Curiosity: Self-directed, proactive, and motivated to identify opportunities, strengthen relationships, and advance the firm’s strategic aims.

• Must be located in the Portland Metro Region
• Hybrid work environment with flexibility to work from home up to 50% of the time
• Familiarity with the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West regional development trends
• Willingness to regularly attend events and meetings outside of standard business hours
• Ability to travel overnight out of town as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of business development, marketing, client development, or related experience, preferably within the AEC industry
• Demonstrated success developing and implementing business development strategies that result in new client relationships and projects
• Experience collaborating with senior leadership and multidisciplinary teams
• Proficiency with CRM platforms and business development analytics
• Familiarity with development trends in broader geographical regions beyond the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West.

Measures of Success

• Growth in strategic client relationships and project billings
• Advancement of targeted pursuits and win rates
• Effective implementation of annual business development plans and budgets
• Increased staff engagement in business development activities
• Positive community impact through philanthropic and volunteer initiatives

A Bit About Holst

Entering our 35th year, Holst is an award-winning, women-owned architecture firm headquartered in Portland, Oregon, with an additional office in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We strive to create innovative buildings that express the highest environmental, social, and aesthetic ideals. The work we create and our process for doing so are driven by these core beliefs:

• We know that we generate the best ideas collectively.
• We question the status quo to impact society and the planet in a positive way and create work that is greater than the sum of its parts.
• We engage communities, expertise, and voices beyond our own to strengthen and improve our design process.
• We create healthy, functional spaces built for all people, built to last, supportive of social justice, and respectful of the environment.

At Holst, we are a group of people who genuinely care about each other and the work we do. Here’s a snapshot of what you will find here:

• We engage in our community: We offer many firm-sponsored pro bono projects and paid time for volunteer work. We support our team’s participation in efforts like Architects in Schools, ACE Mentorship Program, and many more.
• We support our employees: We provide generous healthcare, paid family leave, 401K, and professional development benefits. We offer flexibility for remote work, with the ability to work from home up to 50% of the time.
• We foster a truly open and safe space to do your best work: We transparently report our workplace practices for B Corp and Living Future JUST 3.0 certifications, and are a signatory to the NOMA Call to Action Pledge.
• We love to have fun together: We sponsor our team to participate in events like Pole Pedal Paddle, Pickathon, and Portland Winter Lights Festival. We host a regular speaker series, monthly volunteer activities, and make time to celebrate one another’s achievements.

The salary for this position will be commensurate with the applicant’s experience and skills. Holst offers excellent benefits including employer-paid health, vision, and dental insurance for employee; paid family leave; life insurance, short and long-term disability insurance; 401(k) plan; professional development stipend; paid time off; ten paid holidays per year; paid volunteer time; and a transportation stipend.

What roles can I perform in architecture?

Holst invites curious minds to ask questions about architecture.