Background:

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions, and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., 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.

Position Summary:

This is a senior-level position responsible for leading and performing specialized, complex business development work, coaching, and mentoring others, and overseeing various business development activities for the Economic Growth Division. Creative’s economic growth areas of focus include private sector competitiveness, market-oriented workforce, technical and vocational training, market systems, livelihoods, trade and investment, and access to finance, with a focus on working with youth, and working in fragile and conflict-affected states and non-permissive environments. Responsibilities include ensuring the development and delivery of competitive contract proposals and cooperative agreement applications beginning with identification and prioritization of opportunities, advising on pre-bid intelligence gathering efforts, leading preparatory efforts for bid pursuits, developing partnerships and client relationships, managing procurement opportunities, and ensuring effective cross-divisional and functional collaboration on bid pursuits across the company. The incumbent also takes a lead role in building Creative’s business development capacity, to include contributing to knowledge management, and documenting best practices and lessons learned to drive continuous improvement.

Reporting & Supervision:

The Director, Business Development, Economic Growth Division works under the direction of and reports to the Vice President of the Economic Growth Division. While this position has no direct reports, it includes extensive coordination and collaboration with team members from the Economic Growth Division, Education Division, Communities in Transition Division, Business Development Division, Contracts and Pricing, Knowledge Management, and Human Resources.

Expected Outcomes:

• Provides exceptional contributions to Creative’s growth strategy and global impact;
• Successfully leads the development and delivery of winning proposals;
• Coaches and mentors Economic Growth Division staff in business development;
• Serves as a dynamic leader for business development across the company; develops and nurtures desired synergies and alliances within the market and for specific new bid opportunities;

Serves as a key leader representing Creative within the international development industry; stays abreast of latest developments, innovations, and best practices in economic growth focus areas, cross cutting areas, and donor priorities.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Serves as a key leader in the end-to-end capture and proposal development within the Economic Growth business portfolio to include ensuring quality capture plans, proposal solutioning, and strategic positioning are implemented relevant to the technical market sector;
• Identifies, prioritizes, and qualifies opportunities that align with Creative’s program and business objectives;
• Oversees specific capture and proposal activities for Economic Growth’s pipeline, including identifying capture and proposal team resource requirements, estimation of bid costs, and early opportunity assessment and bid/no bid decision; serves as a vital color team reviewer; tracks overall capture and proposal spending, ensuring efficient use of resources;
• Coordinates closely with Creative’s Business Development Division as well as corporate support teams (e.g., Cost & Pricing, Global Operations, Communications, HR) to achieve quality capture and project design, as needed;
• Performs rapid formal assessments of company’s capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses for each potential pursuit in the company’s pipeline; contributes to capture teams’ development of the company’s win strategy;
• Leads high interest target captures and live proposals, when needed, serving as Technical Lead or Lead Writer;
• Develops value-add teaming strategies and competitively priced-to-win structures and solutions for specific new bid opportunities;
• Contributes to development of Economic Growth partnership strategy, including identifying new local, U.S. small business, and private sector partners of strategic interest;
• Envisions and contributes to recruitment strategy to staff new bid opportunities;
• Ensures marketing and positioning plans are developed and implemented to enhance win probability (regional, country level, and bid specific, as needed);
• Maintains knowledge of project activities and qualifications for Economic Growth focus and cross cutting areas across Creative’s entire portfolio of projects in Economic Growth, Education, and Communities in Transition; contributes to maintenance of quality project information in internal systems;
• Develops, mentors, trains and/or supervises staff working on business development activities in the Economic Growth division.
• Develops and maintains strong USG and other donor/client relationships, and a wide network of potential economic growth partners, staff, and consultants; and
• Spearheads efforts to ensure Creative is aligned with client and market priorities.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field and at least 15 years of relevant experience OR a Master's degree in a relevant field and at least 12 years of relevant experience;
• Demonstrated success achieving targeted business development results, including submission of quality proposals, win rates, and business development budgets;
• Demonstrated success securing project funding from USAID via competitive RFP/RFA/RFQ/IDIQ/RFTOP/BPA processes, including serving as technical writer on winning bids;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including writing, editing, and reviewing proposal documents, and facilitating meetings;
• Excellent organizational, research, and analytical skills;
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task under tight deadlines, and ability to travel internationally on short notice;
• Extensive knowledge of business development processes and USAID funding mechanisms;
• Knowledge of U.S. government donor regulations;
• Considerable knowledge of the competitive market, relevant USAID policies, strategies, and technical resources, and state-of-the-art technical approaches and emerging innovations within Creative’s economic growth areas;
• Extensive network with donors, primarily USAID, international and local partners, subject matter expert consultants, and technical writers;
• Comprehensive skills in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams, Word); and
• Commitment to international development and to a values-driven work environment.

Desired Skills & Qualifications:

• Proficiency in a second language, preferably Spanish, French, or Arabic
• Experience using Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems to drive business development outcomes
• Experience with other USG agencies and donors
• Experience in project implementation, and working in fragile and conflicted-affected states and non-permissive environments

Compensation & Benefits:

For employees working in the United States, the full-time equivalent annual base salary for this position is expected to be between ($149,500 to 170,000 Salary for part-time employees will be prorated based on actual hours worked. Actual offers will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant education, experience, skills, seniority, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Eligible U.S. based employees, will be able to enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus a 401(k)-retirement plan with a company match. Additionally, employees will be eligible for company-paid annual leave (vacation & holidays), sick leave, parental leave; as well as short- and long-term disability coverage. Detailed information will be provided at the time a formal offer is extended.

For employees working outside of the United States, compensation and benefits will vary based on location.

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, Ameri-Corps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

Accessibility Notice: If you need 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. #LI-IB1

Only finalists will be contacted.  No phone calls, please.