At Cuningham, our purpose is to design a better world with deep respect for the real one. With bold, pragmatic creativity, we approach every project grounded in its realities and inspired by its possibilities. That takes curiosity to look beyond the obvious answer, disciplined delivery to work through practical constraints, and humility to keep our client’s goals at the center. Join our team to help create beautiful design that people feel.
As Market Leader, Los Angeles, you'll lead the growth of our Culver City office across Los Angeles and the greater Los Angeles region. This is a seller-doer role that spans multiple markets. You'll open doors, build relationships with the clients and partners who shape future work, lead pursuits, and serve as a project leader on select projects, so the people who sold the vision are the ones who make it real.
Working closely with Office Directors, Market Leaders, and firm leadership, you'll identify where we can compete most effectively, diversify the office's client and market portfolio, and position us well ahead of pursuits. This role is less about chasing RFPs and more about building a proactive business development culture in Los Angeles.
You're a highly connected, curious leader who knows the Los Angeles development and business environment and has a track record of turning relationships into revenue.
What You'd Be Doing:
- Set and lead the Culver City office's business development strategy, deciding which clients, market sectors, and relationships to prioritize and where to invest our time.
- Build and manage a strong pipeline of opportunities across multiple markets, getting in front of projects well before RFPs and advancing them from early conversations through contract award.
- Develop and deepen relationships with developers, owners, operators, brokers, public agencies, and community leaders, as well as the consultants and contractors who influence their decisions.
- Expand and diversify the office's client base and market sector presence to build a more resilient, sustainable portfolio of work.
- Stay ahead of the Los Angeles market, including development activity, emerging client needs, economic conditions, and competitor activity, and turn that insight into new opportunities.
- Lead priority pursuits from go/no-go decisions and win strategy through proposals, fees, and interviews. Build pursuit teams and help them show clients we heard them and why Cuningham is the right call.
- Partner with Office Directors, Market Leaders, and firm leadership to coordinate client relationships, align on priorities, and grow our local and regional market share.
- Represent Cuningham in the Los Angeles community through industry organizations, business and civic groups, conferences, speaking, and networking events.
- Contribute to annual office and market business plans, marketing priorities, and budgets, and keep pipeline, relationship, and pursuit data current in our CRM to support accurate forecasting.
- Serve as a project leader on select projects, guiding clients and teams from planning and programming through design and construction, and partnering with project managers on scope, schedule, and fee.
- Transition newly won work to project teams and help set them up for success, so commitments made during the pursuit are understood and carried into disciplined delivery.
- Act as a trusted advisor to clients, understanding their business goals and priorities and solving difficult problems with them, not just for them. Stay connected with key clients to build long-term partnerships and repeat work.
- Coach project leaders on client relationships, business development, and pursuit strategy, building a culture where everyone shares in winning work, so we all get better together.
- Partner with firm leadership to align market opportunities with talent, delivery capabilities, and long-term growth goals.
Market Growth and Business Development
Client and Team Leadership
What We Look For:
- 15+ years of experience in architecture, design, or a related professional services field, including time in a leadership role (manager or director level).
- A proven seller-doer track record: winning work and leading it through planning, design, and construction.
- Experience selling architecture, design, or similarly complex services across multiple market sectors, such as workplace, residential and mixed-use, hospitality, entertainment, education, or healthcare.
- Established relationships with developers, owners, operators, brokers, and public agencies in the Los Angeles region.
- A strong understanding of the Los Angeles development and business environment, including entitlements, funding, and the real-world constraints that shape what's feasible, fundable and buildable.
- Demonstrated success converting relationships into revenue and developing strategic accounts.
- Executive presence and clear, confident communication, with the ability to build trust with client executives and community leaders.
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in architecture, interior design, or a related field.
- Architect licensure strongly preferred.
- Proficiency with CRM tools (Deltek Vantagepoint preferred) and Microsoft Office; ability to travel throughout the Los Angeles region.
- Role Structure. Seller-doer leading business development across multiple markets for the Culver City office. Market Leader Level is set based on experience.
- Measuring Success. Pipeline growth, new clients, revenue, repeat business, pursuit conversion, diversification of the office portfolio, client satisfaction, and project financial performance.
- Geographic Focus. Los Angeles and the greater Los Angeles region, based in our Culver City office.
- Decision Authority. You'll help decide which sectors, clients, pursuits, sponsorships, and relationships receive investment.
What We Look For
Additional Position Details
Why Cuningham?
At Cuningham, we believe the best work happens when people are supported, challenged, and connected. Whether collaborating across teams, engaging with our communities, or shaping meaningful design solutions, we bring pragmatic creativity and disciplined execution to every project — and we support each other through it all.
We nurture an equitable work environment where curiosity is celebrated, craft is valued, and growth is prioritized. Alongside a team that brings low-ego expertise and active leadership day-to-day, you’ll work on complex, high-stakes projects that demand bold thinking and disciplined delivery.
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Cuningham is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and values the strength diversity brings to the workplace when combined with equity and justice. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, genetic information, national origin, disability, military, or veteran status.
Skills Required
- 15+ years of experience in architecture, design, or a related professional services field
- Leadership experience at the manager or director level
- Proven seller-doer track record winning work and leading it through planning, design, and construction
- Experience selling architecture, design, or similarly complex services across multiple market sectors
- Established relationships with developers, owners, operators, brokers, and public agencies in the Los Angeles region
- Strong understanding of the Los Angeles development and business environment, including entitlements, funding, and feasibility constraints
- Demonstrated success converting relationships into revenue and developing strategic accounts
- Executive presence and clear, confident communication skills
- Ability to build trust with client executives and community leaders
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in architecture, interior design, or a related field
- Architect licensure
- Proficiency with CRM tools, preferably Deltek Vantagepoint
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office
- Ability to travel throughout the Los Angeles region
What We Do
Founded in 1968 by John Cuningham, Cuningham is based on a model of architecture that is highly inclusive and incorporates extensive client, consultant, engineer, and contractor participation. In 2018 we celebrated 50 years of growth, exciting projects, and collaborative client and partner relationships. Through a collaborative approach both internally and externally, there is no end to the good that we can do together to create a beautiful, balanced world.
