Business Development Specialist (Bortolotto)

About BORTOLOTTO Architecture & Design

Bortolotto is an award-winning architecture and interior design firm with a diverse portfolio consisting of high-profile custom, contemporary designs for leading educational, commercial and residential clients, and is located in downtown Toronto.

With a collaborative studio culture and a strong reputation for design excellence, Bortolotto is focused on expanding its presence in the marketplace and increasing the volume and quality of opportunities pursued. The firm is seeking a strategic and proactive Business Development Specialist to help drive this next phase of growth.

Position Overview

The Business Development Specialist will lead and execute Bortolotto’s business development strategy, with a primary focus on identifying new avenues for attracting meaningful projects through a high volume of RFP submissions and expanded networking.

The Business Development Specialist will take ownership of the RFP search and proposal process, manage and optimize the firm’s CRM system, and develop targeted outreach strategies to past and prospective clients. Working closely with the Partner and leadership team, the successful candidate will play a critical role in positioning the firm for continued growth and visibility in the marketplace.

The ideal candidate comes from an architecture firm or design studio environment and understands the nuances of professional services marketing, proposal development, and relationship-based business development.

Key Responsibilities

RFP Strategy & Proposal Leadership

• Lead the identification, evaluation, and tracking of relevant RFPs aligned with the firm’s strategic goals.


• Increase the volume and quality of submissions by developing a structured RFP search and qualification process.


• Draft and coordinate compelling proposals in partnership with the Partner, Principal, and leadership team.


• Manage timelines, content development, consultant coordination, and submission requirements.


• Create and maintain proposal templates.

Client Outreach & Relationship Development

• Develop and execute a proactive outreach strategy targeting past clients, referral networks, and prospective clients.


• Re-engage previous client relationships and build new connections within priority sectors.


• Research and identify emerging opportunities in aligned markets.


• Track and report on outreach efforts and relationship-building initiatives.

CRM Ownership & Campaign Strategy

• Set up, organize, and fully own the firm’s CRM system.


• Develop and implement structured outreach and follow-up campaigns.


• Maintain accurate client and opportunity records.


• Use CRM data to support pipeline forecasting, reporting, and strategic planning.

Events & Market Visibility

• Identify and evaluate external industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities that align with the firm’s strategic goals.


• Coordinate attendance and participation of leadership and team members.


• Support the development of materials and messaging to showcase the firm’s work in architecture magazines, conferences, etc.


• Leverage events to generate meaningful business leads and strengthen brand visibility.

Strategic Growth Initiatives

• Identify alternative pathways to attract new work beyond traditional RFP channels.


• Provide insights and recommendations to leadership regarding market positioning and growth opportunities.


• Monitor industry trends, competitor activity, and sector developments.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in business development, marketing, or proposal management within an architecture firm, design studio, or professional services environment.


• Demonstrated experience leading RFP processes within the architecture, engineering, or design industry.


• Strong proposal writing and editing skills, with the ability to translate design work into compelling narratives.


• Experience setting up and managing CRM systems and outreach campaigns.


• Proven ability to develop and implement relationship-based business development strategies.


• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple concurrent deadlines.


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.


• Strategic mindset with a proactive, self-driven approach.


• Understanding of the architecture industry, procurement processes, and consultant team structures.
  

This posting is for a new vacancy. Our hiring process does not involve the use of artificial intelligence to screen, assess, or select applicants.