We are seeking a Vice President of Strategy & Business Development to serve as the senior business development leader and strategic partner to the President/CEO. This is not a traditional BD role focused on individual deal-making. This is a systems-building, strategy-shaping position for someone who wants to architect and operate the growth engine of a well-established firm positioned for its next phase of expansion.
You will have the autonomy to reimagine our approach to business development, the resources to build a high-functioning team over time, and the trust of ownership to influence where and how we grow. This role reports directly to the President/CEO and serves as a member of the senior leadership team with direct influence on strategic planning and resource allocation.
We are at an inflection point. Our foundation is strong, our reputation is solid, and our leadership is committed to strategic, sustainable growth. We’re ready to invest in senior business development leadership that can elevate our market position and drive our next phase of expansion.
Strategic Growth & Market Positioning
Lead DBC’s growth strategy, including geographic expansion, sector evaluation, and long-term market positioning across healthcare, higher education, multifamily, office, retail, and emerging verticals
Analyze market drivers, competitive dynamics, and client pipelines to recommend growth opportunities that align with organizational capabilities and strategic direction
Build a structured, proactive business development system that generates consistent pipeline in alignment with DBC’s lean operating model
Serve as a key contributor to annual and long-range strategic planning efforts, bringing market intelligence and external perspective to leadership discussions
Stay ahead of industry trends, competitive threats, and emerging opportunities that affect long-term positioning
Business Development Leadership
Develop target-client and target-market strategies, including pursuit campaigns, positioning plans, and relationship development roadmaps
Generate new opportunities while supporting and expanding existing client relationships that drive sustainable growth
Lead pursuit strategy development, provide recommendations on go/no-go prioritization, and collaborate with executive leadership on final selection
Establish and refine pursuit protocols and interview preparation processes that showcase DBC’s capabilities effectively
Oversee CRM and pipeline management discipline to ensure visibility, accountability, and informed decision-making
Create market intelligence frameworks that inform positioning, messaging, and pursuit strategies
Implement a cross-functional pursuit management process that tightly integrates BD, Estimating and Operations from initial lead qualification through final proposal delivery
Establish clear communication channels and feedback loops between BD, Estimating and Operations to ensure proposals are realistic, executable, and align with operational capacity and resources
Client & Partner Engagement
Cultivate relationships with owners, developers, institutional clients, architects, and engineers across Western Pennsylvania and adjacent regions
Build and nurture strategic relationships with key decision-makers, influencers, and centers of influence in target markets and sectors
Represent DBC with professionalism and confidence while maintaining awareness of the firm’s family-owned dynamics and understanding that ownership remains the primary face of the company
Support ownership in client-facing activities, serving as strategic partner in key meetings and business development efforts
Participate in interviews, client presentations, and teaming discussions that advance strategic objectives
Identify and cultivate long-term relationship opportunities that may take years to mature into project awards
Team Development & Marketing Oversight
Maintain strategic ownership of DBC’s brand and market narrative, guiding the dedicated marketing team to align messaging, content, and digital presence with the core business development priorities
Over time, expand the BD and marketing team to meet evolving strategic needs based on organizational growth
Establish performance standards, processes, and tools that create continuity and a sustainable growth culture
Foster a collaborative, team-oriented approach to business development that aligns with company culture
Integrate effectively with estimating and operations teams to ensure seamless pursuit execution and realistic proposals
Essential Experience & Background
7+ years of progressive business development experience in the AEC industry (architecture, engineering, construction), with exposure to strategic business development, client strategy, and market planning
Less experience considered for exceptional candidates with demonstrated strategic capacity and maturity beyond their years
Deep understanding of construction delivery methods (particularly CM/GC), project procurement, and client decision-making in institutional and commercial markets
Familiarity with Western Pennsylvania construction ecosystem and established local relationships strongly preferred
Proven ability to build BD systems, processes, and frameworks that create repeatable outcomes – not just a personal-relationship rainmaker
Track record of operating effectively in entrepreneurial, lean organizational environments
Comfort working with Microsoft 365 ecosystem including PowerBI and other business intelligence tools – ability to use and work with data-driven insights, not necessarily build models
Strategic & Analytical Capabilities
Strong analytical capability – able to synthesize market data, client intelligence, and organizational needs into actionable strategy
Strategic thinking skills with ability to analyze markets, assess opportunities, and develop realistic implementation plans
Comfort with ambiguity and ability to structure problems that don’t have obvious solutions
Financial acumen to evaluate market opportunities, understand project economics, and tie BD activities to business outcomes
Interpersonal & Cultural Fit
Excellent communication skills, relationship-building skills, and executive presence
Authentic team player who values collective success over individual recognition
High emotional intelligence and ability to build trust with ownership, leadership, and diverse stakeholders
Confidence to represent the firm externally while having the self-awareness to support ownership as the primary face of the company
Entrepreneurial mindset with self-starter orientation and comfort taking initiative without constant direction
Humility and service orientation – this is not about personal brand-building or resume padding
Leadership & Cultural Attributes
This role requires a high level of integrity, humility, and professionalism. The successful candidate will demonstrate:
Ability to thrive in a team-oriented culture where success is shared, not claimed
Comfort supporting a company where ownership and top leadership will continue to be the primary external face
Long-term commitment mindset – this is intended to be a career-capstone role for the right individual
Strategic maturity with understanding of when to lead from the front and when to operate quietly in the background
Focus on building systems and teams, not serving as a lone operator
Motivation derived from team success, company growth, and the satisfaction of building something that works
Comfort operating in a family-owned business environment with respect for ownership dynamics and decision-making structures
Integrity, discretion, and judgment befitting a senior leadership position in a closely held company
Success in the first year will be measured by both tangible deliverables and the trust and rapport developed with senior leadership:
Establish a structured, proactive BD framework and reporting cadence that provides visibility and accountability
Deliver clear market intelligence and a prioritized growth strategy based on rigorous analysis
Develop relationship maps and pursuit plans for target markets and key clients - Strengthen communication channels and collaboration with estimating and operations teams
Support leadership in advancing DBC’s strategic direction and market position
Demonstrate measurable pipeline growth in both quantity and quality of opportunities
Earn the confidence of ownership through strategic insight, execution discipline, and cultural alignment
DBC recognizes that attracting a senior strategic leader requires competitive compensation. The package will include:
Market-competitive base salary for senior BD/strategy leaders in the AEC sector.
Performance-based incentive compensation tied to strategic achievements, growth milestones, and the quality – not just volume – of secured opportunities
Comprehensive benefits package
Opportunity to participate in the growth and success of a well-established firm entering its next chapter
Autonomy to shape strategy and build systems with the backing of committed ownership
Why This Role is Different
Most senior BD roles in construction are about leveraging existing relationships to bring in work, managing pursuit teams, and hitting revenue targets. This role is bigger than that.
You’ll have the opportunity to shape where and how a respected regional contractor grows over the next decade. You’ll build the systems and strategies that outlast any individual project or pursuit. You’ll work directly with ownership as a trusted partner.
This is the right role for someone who has proven themselves in BD, who has strategic depth beyond relationship management, who values substance over status, and who wants their final career chapter to be about building something that matters alongside people who appreciate what you bring.
If you’re looking for a high-profile role at a large ENR-ranked firm where you can build your personal brand, this isn’t it. If you’re looking for a place to bring your best thinking, roll up your sleeves, build something meaningful, and be genuinely valued for it – let’s talk.
Dick Building Company LLC is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team.