Architectural Sales Manager
Our client, a well-established, design-focused manufacturing organization is seeking an Architectural Sales Manager to aggressively drive architectural specifications and early-stage project influence across an assigned territory. This is a pure hunter, individual contributor role for a sales professional who excels at opening doors within the A&D community and getting products specified before contractor engagement.
The organization delivers custom-engineered architectural solutions incorporated into complex, design-forward commercial projects and works closely with architects and designers from concept through construction.
Position Overview
This role owns front-end architectural business development. The Regional Sales Manager is responsible for identifying upcoming projects, influencing design intent, securing specifications, and protecting those specifications through the full project lifecycle.
Success in this role is measured by new spec creation, pipeline growth, and conversion of specified projects into awarded business—not reactive quoting or inbound order processing.
Key Responsibilities
Proactively target and develop relationships with architects, designers, general contractors, and architectural decision-makers
Drive early-stage project discovery and influence product selection during schematic design and design development
Create and secure architectural specifications and basis-of-design positioning
Build, manage, and advance a strong pipeline of specified commercial projects
Track projects from specification through bid, award, fabrication, and installation
Prepare budgetary pricing, conceptual estimates, and formal proposals
Interpret architectural drawings, specifications, and construction documents to support project development
Collaborate with internal design, engineering, and production teams to ensure technical alignment
Maintain accurate CRM activity, pipeline reporting, and forecasting
Attend architectural events, AIA functions, design forums, and trade shows to generate new opportunities
Provide competitive, market, and design-trend feedback to internal stakeholders
Candidate Profile (Who Will Succeed)
Proven architectural-spec hunter with a history of winning projects through early design influence
Comfortable opening new relationships and educating architects on custom solutions
Consultative, design-literate seller with strong presentation skills
Highly self-directed and disciplined in territory and pipeline management
Strategic thinker who understands long, multi-stakeholder sales cycles
Able to manage multiple active projects simultaneously without internal sales support
Willing to travel 25–50% within the region
This Role Is NOT a Fit For Candidates Who:
Rely primarily on inbound leads or contractor-driven orders
Focus mainly on price-based selling or transactional quoting
Have limited experience calling directly on architects or influencing specifications
Prefer account maintenance over new business development
Required Qualifications
5+ years of B2B sales experience focused on architectural specifications
Demonstrated success calling on architectural and design firms
Established strong ties with architects, designers, specifiers, owners, and GCs
Experience selling architectural products, façade systems, specialty building materials, or custom-fabricated solutions
Strong understanding of commercial construction processes, drawings, and CSI specifications
Experience managing a defined sales territory or region
CRM experience (Salesforce or similar preferred)
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university required
Compensation & Benefits
Competitive base salary plus commission
Comprehensive health benefits with multiple plan options
Matching 401K
Paid time off
Flexible, professional work environment
Opportunity to represent a respected, design-forward product line within the architectural community
Additional Information
Valid driver’s license required
Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
Background check required
Relocation assistance not available
Direct Hire | Full-Time
Remote | Must be physically located in the Houston market