Marketing & Business Development Manager

The Marketing & Business Development Manager leads Ravenswood Studio's marketing function, including brand, content, and industry presence, in partnership with the Director of Business Development, who sets overall business development and marketing strategy. The role also serves as a direct working partner to the Director of Business Development on pursuits, proposals, and pipeline growth.

Marketing is this role's primary focus; alongside it, the role carries a formal Business Development support responsibility, with a meaningful and regular share of time directed to Business Development, increasing during active pursuit periods. The time split will vary and will be confirmed on an ongoing basis directly between the Marketing & Business Development Manager and the Director of Business Development.

Key Responsibilities

Marketing
• Develop and execute strategic internal and external marketing plans, including digital content, print materials, social media, conferences and networking, public relations, and a calendar of events, and recommend new strategic opportunities.
• Own marketing, documentation, and public relations for new project openings, including press releases, website updates, and portfolio case studies.
• Oversee social media accounts and websites to engage existing customers, build positive public relations, and track engagement against media targets.
• Develop and manage marketing outreach strategy and program development, thought leadership content, quarterly newsletters, and programming.
• Develop and maintain RSI's brand messaging, language, and overall image; ensure cohesive brand compliance across all internal and external materials.
• Maintain continual knowledge of industry trends and competitor activity.
• Plan, manage, and report on the budget for all marketing efforts, including industry conference participation.
• Oversee, update, and coordinate graphic design resources as needed on new marketing materials, collection of internal and external images, website development, qualifications/capabilities packages, and visual brand guidelines.
• Build and maintain RSI's presence at relevant industry events and through association memberships, keeping memberships in good standing; develop recommendations for new opportunities in partnership with the Director of Business Development.
• Maintain and periodically revise association- and vendor-related online listings and RSI's qualifications/capabilities packages.
• Maintain branded templates and ensure team access to brand assets.
• Support internal marketing and communications, including company events, RSI internal meetings, company meetings with Luci Creative, internal displays, internal swag, and holiday gifts.

Business Development Support
• Partner directly with the Director of Business Development on active pursuits: manage the proposal lifecycle and content development for assigned opportunities, coordinating with senior leaders to gather needed content.
• Research, organize, and write qualifications submittals; build and manage bid timeline schedules for RFP/RFQ responses and ensure deadlines are met.
• Collect, package, and send qualifications and collateral to partners for external pursuits as needed.
• Support development of interview presentations for project teams.
• Manage CRM information: organize and oversee databases, templates, and business development tracking documentation, ensuring CRM data, proposal content, and collateral are accurate and complete.
• Develop and maintain institutional knowledge of RSI's portfolio, firm bios, statistics, capabilities, and clients; support client mapping to identify relationships.
• Regularly monitor and engage with potential clients via web portal, email, phone, and other channels to foster new business and educate them on RSI's capabilities and qualifications.
• Attend networking and association events alongside the Director of Business Development, building shared relationships with prospective clients and partners.
• Represent RSI Business Development during client and partner office tours and meetings when the Director of Business Development cannot be present.
• Maintain proposal information integrity and quality management; ensure brand compliance across all pursuit and proposal activity.

Time Allocation
• This role balances marketing responsibilities with dedicated Business Development support, directing a meaningful and regular share of time to Business Development priorities. More time will be directed to Business Development during active pursuit periods, in coordination with the Director of Business Development.
• Marketing planning and deliverables are scheduled around known pursuit deadlines so neither function is shorted during a heavy pursuit cycle; workload balance is reviewed regularly between this role and the Director of Business Development.

Reporting Structure
Reports to: Director of Business Development
Direct Reports: None.

Minimum Job Requirements
• Adobe InDesign proficient.
• Familiarity with CRM platforms.
• Strength with marketing tools and platforms such as LinkedIn and other social media, MailChimp, Sprout Social, and Google Analytics.
• Fluency with AI tools such as Claude a plus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, and Google applications.
• Strong writing, proofing, and editing skills.
• This position is in-office in Lincolnwood, IL, with travel to industry events and client meetings as needed.
• Regular hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM Central Time, with additional hours as needed.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent required; marketing, business, communications, or a related degree a plus.
• 5+ years of experience in marketing, design, or business development preferred.
• Industry knowledge and experience in exhibit and experience design and specialty fabrication.
• Comfortable operating as a working contributor across two functions in a dynamic environment: able to prioritize and shift between marketing deliverables and business development pursuits without losing quality in either.
• Works collaboratively as part of a team, bringing a consistent commitment to producing work of the highest quality.
• Able to complete moderately complex assignments with little or no supervision, applying sound judgment and initiative to carry out instructions.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with professionals at all levels, including direct client outreach.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to adapt to multiple shifting priorities across two functional areas in a deadline-driven environment.