Business Development Manager

Company Overview

Jason Bruges is internationally renowned as a pioneer of the hybrid space between art, architecture and technology. His artworks are site-specific, ‘sculptural barometers’ that tap into the emotional tapestry of a community or place by translating live feedback into living, breathing, spatial interventions.

In 2002, Jason set up Jason Bruges Studio where he works with talented team of architects, engineers, computational designers, creative technologists and project managers to deliver a diverse array of art projects world-wide.

Some of the Studio’s most celebrated work includes The Constant Gardeners a robotic zen garden which took place during the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic games and Digital Phyllotaxy, a giant, tree-like media artwork for Hankook Tire in Seoul.

Role Objectives

The Business Development Manager holds a key position within the studio. The primary objective of the role is to drive the studio’s growth and sales strategy working closely with the directors to identify industry trends and opportunities across placemaking, public art and interactive experiences.

The post holder is expected to raise the studio’s profile within target markets and sectors across the built environment globally with a focus on the UK, USA and Middle East. The ultimate goal is to leverage the Studio’s profile as an innovator in architectural media art to build a healthy pipeline of exciting, profitable projects that ensure the Studio’s financial resilience and sustainability in the long-term.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Strategy:

• Work with the managing director and founder to develop and evolve the long-term growth strategy.
• Use and improve overarching marketing and sales processes and best practices across the company.
• Use existing and new market research and competitor analysis to monitor and identify market trends and opportunities across public art and immersive installations.
• Develop and evolve annual calendar of sales and marketing activity, delegate and oversee tasks to achieve strategic goals.
• Consult on and allocate annual budget for new business and marketing spending.
• Track the department’s performance and create annual/quarterly/monthly/ report using the Pipedrive CRM systems.
• Regularly review KPI and reporting strategy to ensure it meets requirements.
• Work with managing director to evaluate and adjust revenue targets.
• Lead weekly business development and marketing meeting to report on pipeline health, ensure alignment on upcoming activity and review new opportunities with senior management.

Sales:

• Nurture and build the studio’s network of clients through face-to-face and online meetings with decision-makers across the built environment (property developers, landlords, architects etc)
• Conceptualise and oversee networking activities at the studio from small scale studio visits to 200+ person industry events.
• Manage and grow the new business pipeline in accordance with set targets.
• Take a lead role in developing new-business proposals and presentations that create and nurture opportunities and partnerships.
• Source relevant bids, tenders and open calls and manage/oversee proposal response process, including detailed RFP requirements.
• Screen inbound leads and facilitate pitch logistics with Management team
• Identify and regularly attend industry events to represent the studio and build our network.
• Prepare briefing documents and fee proposals which clarify our scope of work internally and with clients to ultimately close deals.

Marketing:

• Work alongside the rest of our team to create copy for pitches, case studies, press releases, interviews, company website etc
• Work with the rest of the team in building the Studio’s profile through targeted PR campaigns.
• Build connections with journalists and PR professionals.
• Source and manage external PR companies to work with the Studio on high-profile projects.
• Work alongside the rest of our team to ensure ecective photography and stills documentation of all studio projects.
• Work with our team on content creation and output across the Studio’s marketing channels (website, social media etc).
• Work with our team to ensure a consistent tone of voice and brand image across all studio collateral.
• Use metrics to evaluate marketing performance and tailor activity in response.

Supervisory Accountabilities:

• Oversee the Business Development team, manage workload, resource and help focus activities.

Person Specification:

• 5+ years’ experience working in a business development role for a creative business engaged in built environment projects.
• Demonstrable track record in B2B sales and negotiation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with confident pitching skills and sales techniques.
• Experience with CRM software (ex: Pipedrive, Salesforce or equivalent).
• Proficiency in data analysis, forecasting, and budgeting.
• Passionate and conversant about current design, art and architectural trends and reference points.
• An ability to think strategically and apply industry knowledge to inform business development processes.
• Adaptable to changing demands and able to prioritise own duties, delegate where required and work effectively under pressure, while always remaining professional.

At Jason Bruges Studio, we believe in diversity of thought and experience. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. If you’re passionate about art and design, bring a unique perspective and transferrable skills, we want to hear from you.