Creative Growth Lead

Position Overview Clark Construction is seeking a strategic Client Growth Lead (CGL) to drive regional growth out of our Chicago office. This role is designed for a well-connected professional with deep, existing relationships across the real estate development and investment community. We actively encourage candidates from non-traditional contracting backgrounds—such as commercial real estate brokerage, lending, private equity, municipal permit expediting, interior design, or specialty trade sales (e.g., window wall, elevator). The core theme of this role is to "bring, find, and foster relationships," not simply "chase projects." The CGL owns key relationships throughout the entire Client Experience Cycle: Brand Development → New Relationship Building → Project Inception & Pre-Development → Deal Negotiation → Execution → Post-Project Support While serving as the primary spearhead for door-opening and relationship cultivation, the CGL also acts as the essential liaison—connecting developers with Clark’s internal Subject Matter Experts (preconstruction, estimating, VDC, operations) who build the deal and execute the project. Position Mission To position Clark as the unanimous "builder of choice" long before $50M+ projects reach the public domain or formal RFP stage, establishing long-term, trust-based partnerships with real estate developers and capital sources. Location & Working Schedule · Office Presence: In downtown Chicago office 4+ days per week. · Market Engagement: Frequent attendance at evening industry events, networking mixers, and client engagements as needed. Key Responsibilities · Private Development Relationship Building & Ecosystem Management: Cultivate an active network of established developers, institutional investors, and "up-and-coming" developers scaling toward Clark's competitive project size (factoring in overhead and union labor signatories). Prioritize ongoing touchpoints over immediate transactional extraction. · Early Partnership & Preconstruction Negotiation: Serve as a trusted advisor years before breaking ground by leading "pro-forma led design assist" efforts. Negotiate preconstruction agreements and key GMP/AIA contract terms. · Public Sector Monitoring: Maintain complete awareness of planned, active, and completed Chicago developments. While heavily focused on private multi-family, proactively monitor public RFQs/RFPs (e.g., CTA facilities, aviation, infrastructure, prisons, federal government related, etc.). Maintain contact with key government agencies to be aware of future opportunities before formal solicitations. · Internal SME Liaison & Technical Navigation: Lead initial client engagements and seamlessly orchestrate internal Subject Matter Experts (preconstruction managers, chief estimators, VDC specialists, project executives) to assemble proposals and execute work. Maintain fluency in major building systems (structural, enclosure, MEPs) and high-level pricing. · Market Assessment & Data Strategy: Continuously evaluate regional market capacity, pipeline revenue, and prevailing contract structures. Provide data-backed recommendations to executive leadership regarding strategic resource allocation. · Brand Presence & Event Programming: Represent Clark across key industry organizations (e.g., REIA, Bisnow, ULI, NAIOP). Vet sponsorships, panel positions, and networking opportunities to maximize brand awareness and ROI. · Adjacent Market Expansion: Ability to aid the transfer of local relationships into adjacent regional markets (Indianapolis, Nashville, Charlotte) as we grow with our clients. · Pipeline & CRM Maintenance: Hands-on ownership of the regional CRM pipeline, touchpoint tracking, and market intelligence research. The Ideal Candidate · Unconventional Network: Powerful existing network of senior-level developers, lenders, equity partners, or municipal contacts. · Contractual & Technical Fluency: Strong understanding of preconstruction agreements, General Conditions costs, AIA/GMP contract levers, major building systems, and pro-forma design assist process. · Strategic Facilitator: Skilled door-opener who knows how to read a room and orchestrate internal technical experts at the right moments. · Long-Term Mindset: Patient, persistent relationship builder equipped for multi-year development horizons. Compensation & Profile Data Clark offers a total compensation package that includes base salary, bonus potential, and a comprehensive benefits package including health/dental/vision benefits, paid time off, retirement/401k, and Company Contribution plan. Additional benefits include life insurance, commuter benefit, short & long term disability, fitness reimbursement, FSA, tuition reimbursement, back-up daycare, tutoring & family support benefits, EAP/Work-Life assistance, and a holiday contribution program. For this role the base salary range is $100,000 - $200.000 Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. Base pay is one part of the Total Compensation Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work.