Senior Business Development & Proposal Lead - AEC

A Visible, Relationship-Driven Presence in the AEC Community

QK is seeking an experienced Business Development professional who already knows the AEC world — and is known within it.

This role works in close partnership with and supports QK’s Business Development Manager and Marketing team, expanding QK’s business development presence and execution in the Central Valley and surrounding markets.

This role is for someone who thrives in relationship-driven environments, has an established and credible AEC network, and is energized by being active in the community. You will work closely with QK’s Business Development Manager and Project Managers to strengthen client relationships, represent QK at industry events, and help create meaningful connections between clients, partners, and the QK team.

If you are the type of professional who people recognize, trust, and call – and you know how to turn relationships into opportunity – this role is for you.

What This Role Is Really About

This is not a behind-the-scenes marketing role.

This is a front-facing, relationship-first business development role that complements and supports QK’s broader seller-doer model.

You will:

• Maintain a visible presence in AEC circles and professional organizations
• Attend, host, and participate in industry events on behalf of QK
• Accompany and support Project Managers during client meetings and relationship-building visits
• Strengthen relationships with past, current, and future clients
• Intentionally connect QKers with clients and partners to deepen trust and collaboration
• Represent QK’s brand, values, and expertise in alignment with leadership, BD, and PM teams

You are a connector – helping translate relationships and market intelligence into well-positioned opportunities and strong pursuits.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Relationship Building

• Maintain and grow a diverse, healthy network of AEC professionals, agencies, and partners
• Serve as a key Central Valley business development presence, working in partnership with the Business Development Manager
• Support opportunity identification and pursuit efforts aligned with QK’s strategic markets
• Focus on long-term relationship development rather than transactional wins

Client Engagement

• Partner closely with the Business Development Manager and Project Managers to strategically support client retention and expansion
• Participate in client visits, interviews, and forward-looking conversations
• Help clients understand QK’s full range of services and how our teams deliver value

Proposal Strategy & Prepositioning

• Lead and produce complete, high-quality, winning proposals in partnership with Project Managers and technical teams
• Collaborate with the BD Manager to translate market intelligence, client insights, and relationship knowledge into compelling pursuit strategies and proposal positioning
• Coordinate proposal development from prepositioning through submission, including content development, reviews, and compliance
• Prepare teams for interviews by supporting messaging, positioning, and presentation development
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of what makes proposals competitive and how decision-makers evaluate firms, with the ability to translate that understanding to technical and administrative staff 

Internal Connector

• Support the Business Development Manager and Marketing team by sharing market intelligence, coordinating pursuits, and aligning messaging across business development and proposal efforts
• Create intentional connections between QK staff and clients to support seller-doer efforts
• Collaborate closely with the Business Development Manager, marketing, leadership, and technical teams

What We’re Looking For

Required Experience

• Minimum 4 years’ experience writing or contributing      to AEC proposals
• Proven experience in AEC business development, client      relations, or a closely related role
• An existing, active network within the AEC industry
• Strong understanding of public and private sector      pursuits
• Comfort representing a firm publicly and      professionally

Key Attributes

• Credible, confident, and relationship-driven
• Comfortable being “boots on the ground” — events, meetings, and in-person engagement
• Strategic thinker who can translate conversations      into opportunity
• Strong communicator, both verbally and in writing
• Collaborative by nature — you enjoy partnering with others to win work

Nice to Have

• Familiarity with municipal, water infrastructure, land development, or similar markets
• CRM or pursuit tracking experience
• Intermediate to advanced skills in InDesign, Photoshop, and/or Illustrator

Basic Requirements

• Demonstrates strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with a diverse group of coworkers, clients, and community members
• Bachelor's degree in related field
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Valid CA Driver’s License

Why QK

At QK, relationships matter – with our clients, our communities, and our people. We believe business development is a team sport, and our success comes from strong partnerships between BD & Marketing, Project Managers, and technical staff.

This role offers visibility, influence, and the opportunity to strengthen how QK shows up in the AEC community – while working alongside a supportive, experienced Business Development Manager and engaged seller-doer teams.

If you are ready to be a visible, trusted connector who helps others succeed – we’d love to meet you.

QK understands that solutions for today’s challenges require innovation created by sharing diverse perspectives openly and safely, which is why we celebrate and cultivate diversity and our inclusive environment.

QK is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination of any kind. QK provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, etc. All employment decisions are based on qualification, merit, and business needs. QK encourages all qualified applicants to apply.

Applicants must be fully authorized to work in the U.S. and physically be in the U.S.

Please no calls, emails, or additional contact for inquiry. Our HR team will be in contact with you if we need additional information or wish to schedule an interview with you.

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES

Please note that QK does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, QK will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, QK explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of QK.