Business Development Leader, Professional Sports

DLR Group has an opening for a Pro Sports Business Development Leader within our Sports Sector.  We operate within a hybrid work model, supporting flexibility between office time and work from home. DLR Group has a network of 30+ studios across the United States. For this role, we encourage exceptional applicants across the ecosystem.

About Sports at DLR Group

The DLR Group Sports practice designs facilities to recruit and develop the best athletes, attract and retain top coaches, and to create memorable experiences for today’s fans. Our solutions support our client’s mission, promote their culture, and elevate their brand. The Sports Studio strives to be a valued partner while creating a vision that elevates our client’s organization to a championship level through design.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a motivated Business Development Leader to drive growth in the professional sports market across the United States. This role is ideal for someone who excels at identifying decision-makers and building lasting relationships while collaborating with a talented team of designers.

The ideal candidate is socially fearless, entrepreneurial, and ready to lead initiatives to uncover new opportunities, while also nurturing existing client relationships alongside Our Sports Global Sector Leader, Professional Sports Leader, National Sports Business Development Leader, as well as our Sports Regional Sector Leaders and Client Leaders. Join our employee-owned firm and be part of a culture that values diverse design voices and a passion for impactful work both locally and globally.

The successful candidate will:

• Communicate and collaborate at a very high level with the entire DLR Group Sports Team in all phases of the business development process
• Collaborate with Global Sector Leader, Professional Sports Practice Leader, and National Sports Business Development Leader to identify, develop, qualify, and manage a pipeline of potential clients for project opportunities in the professional sports marketplace
• Create and execute a strategic approach to win new business and expand market presence through innovative outreach, networking, partnerships, industry events and identifying client and project needs.
• Coordinate with Pursuit Teams to craft client-centric statements for effective responses to RFPs, sales proposals and presentations.
• Cultivate and manage long-term client relationships, partnering with our Sports Team to maintain connections with current and former clients.
• Actively participate in industry organizations, committees, conferences and events while familiarizing targets with DLR Group's Sports portfolio, experts, design ethos, and shifts in fan experience, athlete development, and venue design
• Collaborate on sector marketing strategies and annual business planning while achieving new fee targets and ROI goals each fiscal year.
• Meet or exceed growth and fee targets as outlined in DLR Group’s Business Plan, each fiscal
• Lead and manage business development efforts for our Professional Sports practice, providing mentorship and guidance to the team.
• Stay informed on national market trends, key publications, and industry associations
• Build and nurture relationships with key partners, including contractors, developers, and consultants
• Lead and prepare quarterly marketing reports, participate in weekly strategy meetings, and maintain CRM and BD Tracking Report.

Required Qualifications:

• Interpersonal Skills: Outgoing and personable, adept at quickly building rapport and effective relationships, both internally and externally.
• Interpersonal Communications - Must be able to convey ideas, concerns, challenges, and opportunities via strong written and oral communication skills; ability to analyze and improve materials written by others.
• Business Development Connections & Resilience: Enthusiastic about reaching out to prospects and resilient in facing rejection, with a strong sense of urgency and consistency in meeting deadlines.
• Professional Demeanor: Polished and capable of representing the firm at all levels, with keen attention to detail, especially in marketing materials and communications.
• Receptive & Eager Learner: Open to feedback and constructive criticism, demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning.
• Organizational & Collaborative Skills: Excellent at prioritizing and managing multiple tasks efficiently; comfortable in both leadership and team-player roles with diverse personalities.
• Self-Starter & Knowledgeable: Motivated to work independently with minimal supervision, committed to understanding the firm’s practices, services, and goals.
• Strategic Leadership - Creates, leads, nurtures, builds, activates and manages mutually beneficial relationships internally and externally resulting in design commission fees.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 7+ years of experience working in sales, business development, or client management roles in professional sports and/or A/E/C industry, Preferably with background and knowledge of professional sports venue operations, event management, facilities planning and design, revenue development, team/business operations or sports marketing.
• Possesses a network of decision-makers in executive and senior level positions in professional sports and/or Sports AEC industry.
• Proficient in business planning and presentation software (e.g., Excel, PowerPoint)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products and experience utilizing CRM software
• Involvement in sports or relevant industry organizations
• Strong oral, written communication, meeting facilitation, and presentation skills
• Strong ability to collaborate with institutions, organizations, and internal project teams
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multitask, prioritize, and work under pressure
• Skilled in marketing strategy, relationship development, and business development processes
• Self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset, able to solve problems independently.