Are you a strategic business development professional with a passion for driving business growth, client relationship management, strategic partnerships, and market intelligence. The Business Growth Director ensures that the firm achieves sustainable growth by winning the right work, deepening client relationships and identifying future-facing opportunities.
In this varied and impactful role, you’ll use your experience to shape data-led strategies, provide market insights, and act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership – all while helping to drive our client-focused approach to high quality design.
About us
BDP is a leading, global, multidisciplinary design practice united by a shared purpose: to design a world that’s built for good. For more than 60 years, we've been solving problems, creating innovative spaces, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. From the start, we've been pioneers in the world of design, and our legacy is built on the meaningful, people-centred places we've brought to life.
We are a diverse, international practice of architects, engineers, designers, and urbanists. We work closely with our clients, users, and communities to craft spaces for living, working, learning, and enjoying life across the globe. With studios spanning the UK, Ireland, Europe, Asia, and North America, our reach is as broad as our expertise.
As we expand our global reach and respond to complex societal challenges—urbanisation, climate resilience, and digital transformation—we seek a Business Growth Director to drive our commercial and market strategy forward at the highest level. You will be part of our global growth and marketing team with an advisory role to the CEO.
What we are looking for
* Commercially acumen with a strong understanding of customer value
* A natural relationship builder who can engage at all levels
* Curious, proactive and solutions-focused
* Able to simplify complexity and communicate with clarity
* Organised, strategic, with an appetite to get stuck in
* Experience working in a matrix environment, collaborating with teams across an organisation.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Growth Planning
* Contribute to our multi-year global growth strategy by identifying and evaluating market opportunities, new sectors, geographies and services lines.
* Monitor and advise on competitor activity within strategic target markets and sectors
* Support the implementation of studio business plans by advising on how to secure new business and focusing on opportunities that will provide the greatest return.
* Provide the CEO and senior leadership with recommendations on go-to-market models, growth targets, and client strategies.
Business Development
* Lead the global business development activity, embedding client-centric thinking across BDP.
* Drive cross-sector and cross-disciplinary collaboration to unlock wider client value
* Build and maintain executive relationships with strategic clients, frameworks, and alliance partners to identify potential opportunities and collaborations.
* Oversee the global pipeline and bid strategy, including major pursuits, frameworks, and competitive tenders.
* To help the business to create a business development culture through events, programmes and training.
Data, Insights, and Performance
* Optimise systems to monitor pipeline health, client performance, win rates, and market trends.
* Develop and implement a data-led approach to business development. Encourage best practice and effective use of the firm's CRM system. Utilise data to drive effective client relationship management and new business targeting initiatives.
* Be responsible for developing best practice processes and policies for the entire sales cycle from initial enquiry and bid/no bid process through to proposals, and pitch interviews.
* To be involved in complex bids that have significant strategic value to the business.
Partnerships and Alliances
* Identify and develop strategic partnerships, joint ventures, and collaborations that enhance the firm’s market position.
* Engage with industry bodies, innovation networks, and research institutions to support long-term influence and credibility.
* Work closely with our Government Partnerships Lead to build relationships and seek opportunities through UK Government bodies such as UKDBT.
Qualifications and Experience
* Extensive experience in business development, marketing, or commercial leadership within design, architecture, engineering, or professional services sectors.
* Proven ability to grow revenue, expand client portfolios, and lead global commercial strategies.
* Strong understanding of design consultancy models, procurement frameworks, and client decision-making processes.
* Exceptional communicator and relationship builder.
* Strategic thinker with a track record of execution and measurable outcomes
How we measure success
Area
KPI Examples
* Revenue Growth
* YoY growth, new revenue from new markets
* Client Development
* % repeat clients, NPS/client satisfaction
* Pipeline Health
* Pipeline value vs. target, bid success rate
* Partnerships
* Strategic partnerships secured and monetised
Why Join Us?
You will help shape the future of one of the world’s leading design consultancies where architecture, engineering, and innovation meet to tackle the biggest challenges of our time. This is your opportunity to define what growth means in a purpose-driven, design-led practice
At BDP, we believe in fostering a supportive and innovative environment where everybody can thrive. By joining us, you will be part of a dynamic team that values collaboration, continuous improvement, and opportunities for professional growth and development.
To apply
To apply for a role please visit the BDP website and click on the apply button below the vacancy. You will then need to complete the online application form, please ensure that you attach an up-to-date CV with a cover letter (<400 words) that outlines your experience with the above job description. Please include an indication of your salary expectations and notice period in your cover letter. No agency or 3rd party applications will be accepted.
BDP is actively fostering an inclusive organisation where people can be themselves and everyone has a sense of belonging. We want our teams to be diverse at every level, reflecting the communities we design for. As designers, we will create spaces for all that promote equity, wellbeing and participation within the built environment. We actively encourage people from a variety of backgrounds with different skills, professional and life experiences, to join us and help us to achieve our aspirations. We also welcome applications from candidates who wish to work flexibly.