Strategic Relationship Manager

Role Purpose

The Strategic Relationships Manager plays a critical role in cultivating meaningful engagement with key influencers across the commercial real estate network — with a primary focus on the architecture and design (A&D) community, and additional outreach to project management firms, developers, end users, and real estate professionals. Approximately 50% of the role’s effort is concentrated on the A&D segment, where early influence and thought partnership are essential.
 
 This position is designed for a next-generation relationship-builder — someone with 3–5 years of industry experience, a strong foundation of existing connections, and a demonstrated ability to identify new opportunities, pursue them with focus and consistency, and build momentum with key decision-makers.
 
 With an instinct for connecting people and ideas, the Strategic Relationships Manager is accountable for driving visibility, building trust, and positioning the firm to win new business. A vital component of this role includes the curation, coordination, budgeting, and execution of targeted engagement events — such as roundtables, panel discussions, or showroom gatherings — that bring together design influencers and project stakeholders. This role is also expected to proactively generate leads, participate in networking groups, and contribute to business development intelligence.
 

Core Responsibilities

• Influencer Engagement & Relationship Building: Cultivate relationships with A&D firms, developers, project managers, real estate advisors, and end users. Join and participate in relevant lead generation/networking groups.
• Opportunity Identification & Development: Leverage networks to uncover project leads. Generate and qualify new business leads.
• Event Curation & Execution: Plan and execute high-impact engagement events. Own the full event lifecycle.
• Internal Collaboration & Insight Sharing: Coordinate with MillerKnoll sales reps. Contribute to monthly pipeline meetings and provide market feedback.
• Brand Representation: Serve as a brand ambassador. Represent the company at key industry events and forums.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Influencer Engagement: 25 high-value touchpoints per week
• Lead Generation: 20 new leads per month
• Account Development: 12 active relationship plans per month
• Event Execution: 1 curated engagement event per quarter
• Internal Contribution: Participation in monthly pipeline meetings
• Market Visibility: Strategic participation in events, with qualitative impact tracked via leadership recaps

Qualifications & Core Competencies

Qualifications:

• 3–5 years of experience in business development, design industry engagement, or influencer management
• Established network within the A&D community preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in business, design, marketing, communications, or a related field

Core Competencies:

• Strategic relationship-building and networking
• Project and event planning capabilities
• Self-motivated, proactive, and detail-oriented
• Strong communication and influencing skills
• Client-first values and brand stewardship

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at Creative Office Resources. Creative Office Resources is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate based upon an individual’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, military service ad veteran status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, or other non-merit based factors protected by federal, state and local laws. These protections extend to all terms and conditions of employment and management practices and decisions, including recruitment and hiring, appraisal systems, promotions, training, and career development.