Overview
Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, governance, and post-crisis stabilization. Based in Chevy Chase, MD (metro DC area), Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.
We value diversity — in backgrounds and in experiences. We are deliberate and self-reflective about the kind of team and culture that we are building, seeking staff that are not only strong in their own aptitudes but care deeply about supporting each other’s growth. Our success depends on all our employees’ points of view, and the principle that inclusion is everyone’s responsibility.
Position Summary:
Creative seeks a Director of Business Development (BD) and Strategy to work under CIT senior leadership supervision, performing complex activities across various technical areas to ensure proposal quality and alignment with corporate growth strategy. Work involves providing in- depth input into division and company-wide growth strategies; leading the CIT BD team; and assisting the Vice President in adjusting the division strategy as needed to respond to the forward market. Serve as technical lead writer (TLW) and mentor other CIT TLWs on strategic bid decision-making and high-quality technical writing. Lead development and oversight of CIT capture and live proposal budgeting and productive utilization, working closely with the Practice Area Directors (PADs) and the Director of Finance and Operations. Undertake market and/or field research to ensure we use knowledge for business development and innovation that improves CIT’s win rate. Complete detailed new business win/loss and data analyses and reports, with recommendations for continual improvement. Engage across the industry to understand trends, innovations, and relationships that drive CIT partnerships. Support a learning culture within the division by taking lessons harvested from the field to enrich CIT’s business and proposal strategy. Collaborate with other divisions and support offices within the company, to complete tasks and to promote cross-technical exchange and collaboration. As a lead on the HQ team, the Director of BD and Strategy, CIT is responsible for establishing a network of partners and technical experts to support teaming strategies, key personnel recruitment, and overall bid quality. The Director travels internationally to perform many of the responsibilities of the role.
Reporting & Supervision:
The Director of BD and Strategy, CIT reports to the Vice President in the CIT division and may supervise Directors, Managers, and/or Associates.
Expected Outcomes:
Leadership
Provides expert level contributions for business development and projects. Helps balance the distribution of resources in the division to best meet strategic goals and targets for business development budgets, productive utilization, and win rates. Works with the Business Development Division (BDD) to assign adequate support to division efforts and troubleshoots bid-specific needs as required. Collaborates with the Growth Office for strategy alignment and to contribute technical and business expertise into new growth areas for the company.
Technical Leadership
Performs expert level research to further the division’s strategic vision including building partnerships that support business development as well as communication and thought leadership that best positions CIT vis-à-vis key clients. Undertakes client relations as requested and actively maintains a nuanced understanding of markets per technical area, geographic area, and client. Brings technical expertise into strategy discussions as well as in support of field projects to inspire entrepreneurialism and innovation. Works to enhance policy and best practice materials that improve CIT business processes as well as technical approaches for use on proposals.
New Business Development
Oversees the success of division BD efforts and actively seeking out new opportunities. Guides and trains staff to ensure outstanding and timely design and technical writing on bids.
Undertakes capture activities, writes proposals, participates in color teams, and engages in all aspects of the BD process for the division, including cost proposal strategy and
development. Undertakes market research and/or field research to create and use knowledge in new business. Completes regular detailed win/loss analyses. Engages actively in communities of practice and other platforms in the industry to inform on technical trends and innovations and build partnerships. Leads division capture and live proposal budgeting and resourcing and ensures bid decisions align with division strategy.
Learning & Adaptation
Supports a learning culture within the division by utilizing lessons from the field and industry innovations to advance BD strategy, tools, and approaches, in coordination with technical advisors and Practice Area Directors (PADs). Collaborates with the Knowledge Management team, the Development Lab, and the Communications team to consistently improve bid design as well as to strategically market Creative to outside audiences, in line with CIT’s growth strategy. Participates in Pause-and-Reflect sessions to capture salient technical learning for replication or scale up across CIT’s BD efforts.
Staff Management
May supervise Directors, Managers, and/or Associates, and intermittent consultants. Ensures staff are meeting their stated goals and have the resources and support they need to be successful.
Responsibilities
- Take a lead role in division strategy, based on technical innovations and market trends, and in collaboration with Creative’s Growth Office.
- Supports learning and adaptation by ensuring that project lessons and technical innovations enrich the division strategy and improve bid design and quality and are used externally to best position Creative for growth.
- Work with PADs and proposal teams to build in level of effort for advisors and other home office staff as technical experts in proposals, making sure this includes documenting technical knowledge gained for use in BD strategy and growth efforts.
- Drive strategic bid decision-making and overall division business development processes in line with division strategy and Lead regular analysis of market and division performance per technical area, geographic focus, and client.
- Ensure top-quality, innovative bid design and development, in close collaboration with division Vice President, PADs, and BDD.
- Train, mentor and develop a cadre of technical BD assets in the division that can undertake effective capture, conceptualize, and design potential new opportunities using industry innovations and deep contextual knowledge, partnering strategies, and writing winning technical proposals. Serve a technical lead writer and/or contributing writer on bids as needed.
- Optimize a one team approach through effective coordination and communication with BDD and other technical divisions including proposal managers, pricing, contracts, recruiting, and others.
- Oversee the systematic application of Creative and industry good practices in business development, including standardized processes, gates, and tools. Participate in proposal reviews, after-action debriefs, and color teams, identifying improvement opportunities for future proposals.
- Represent the division at informal/formal client and industry
- Establish a network of partners and technical experts to support teaming strategies and key personnel recruitment and actively contribute to writing successful
- Manage and ensure targets are met for capture and live BD budgets, productive utilization, and win rates, in close collaboration with PADs and the division Director of Finance and Operations.
Qualifications– Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field and fifteen years of relevant experience, or a master’s degree and twelve years of relevant experience;
- Experience serving in a technical and/or business development advisory and leadership role.
- Experience in working with project management, technical advisors, and COPs and DCOPs in the implementation of technical programs to achieve project objectives;
- Experience in establishing networks, partnerships, and relationships with technical experts to support teaming strategies and key personnel recruitment;
- Expertise in the development of BD strategies for USAID, Department of State and/or other donor programs including articulating theories of change, developing results frameworks, and constructing program strategy and activities;
- Demonstrated ability to meet technical and business results, including quality proposals and win rates, working across diverse country and program
- Considerable skill and experience in S. government donor regulations;
- Experience in interacting with client representatives and other project stakeholders;
- Strong writing and editing skills; excellent communication, organizational, and analytical skills;
- Ability to work well in a team environment as well as independently;
- Ability to multi-task under tight deadlines; ability to travel internationally on short notice; and
- Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, MS Project,).
Desired Skills and Qualifications
- Proficiency in a language other than English preferred.
An employee’s pay position will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, performance, travel requirements, and business or organizational needs.
EEOC Statement:
Creative is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics. Military veterans, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.
ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE:
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Ireneb@creativedc.com.
Please view Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.
Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision:
Creative will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please. #LI-IB1
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