Summary/Objective:The Director of Strategic Development, is responsible for driving new work acquisition for C.D. Smith's portfolio through proactive client engagement, early project involvement, and disciplined account pursuit. This role is primarily business development focused, with additional time on pre-award and market-facing activities, including relationship building, project pursuits, walkthroughs, and early constructability conversations.
The Director of Strategic Development serves as a consistent, trusted presence for clients, from first conversation through early execution, while partnering closely with estimating, operations, and project leadership to ensure opportunities are pursued thoughtfully, staffed appropriately, and transitioned effectively.
Primary Responsibilities - Business Development:Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Lead and support account and project pursuits from target account prospecting, opportunity identification through contract award in partnership with business development and operational teams
- Build, develop, and maintain strong client relationships that drive repeat and referral business with new and existing accounts
- Participate in project walkthroughs, site visits, and early feasibility discussions
- Provide constructability and execution insight during pursuits to help shape scope, approach, schedule, and staffing assumptions
- Collaborate with business development, estimating and operations to develop pursuit strategies, pricing approaches, and go/no-go recommendations
- Support proposal development and client presentations, including interviews, scope clarification, and negotiation support
- Represent the company professionally within the market, including client meetings, industry events, and community engagement
- Maintain awareness of market conditions, client needs, and competitive activity within the small and special projects space
- This role is expected to be highly visible in the market and actively engaged in keeping the opportunity pipeline healthy and aligned with company capabilities.
- Maintain client relationships post-award, serving as a continuity point alongside Operations
- Stay engaged during early execution to confirm alignment between pre-award commitments and operations delivery
The Senior Director of Strategic Development does not manage day-to-day construction activities but remains accountable for continuity, clarity, and follow-through during the transition from pursuit to execution.
Required Education and Experience:- Bachelor's degree in construction management, Business, Engineering, or a related field Or an equivalent combination of education, training, and work experience.
- 7-10 years of progressive experience in construction business development, preconstruction, project management, field operations, or related roles.
- Demonstrated success securing work through relationship-based business development
Essential knowledge, skills, and abilities.- Proven ability to develop and sustain client relationships that lead to repeat work.
- Strong understanding of construction processes sufficient to contribute meaningfully during early project discussions.
- Comfortable leading conversations with owners, architects, engineers, and internal teams.
- Organized and responsive; able to manage multiple pursuits simultaneously.
- Collaborative mindset with the ability to bridge business development and operations.
- Professional, credible presence in both client and internal settings.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite related software, Bluebeam, Procore and/or Autodesk.
- Ability to travel to project work sites during the work week.
