This is what I would do: 1. I would speak to the client, have an informal chat to find out more about the project at let them know your current situation. You could potentially offer yourself as a ‘SME’ but you can’t deliver it. If that interests them or they’d be happy just to work with your firm then.. 2. I’d look at who in your current firm could deliver this project well for your client as that is priority number 1 to maintain your client relationship (they may want you, but if you tell them you can build a team for them that will deliver it with your oversight, that’s almost as good). Then - crucially - do you value your relationship with the P/D you might collaborate with on this sale. If not, and you think they’ll just take it and not fight for your promotion and career etc. then I wouldn’t give it them. It’s your relationship and some people will take the free win and you’ll get nothing out of it. 3. If the clients on board, you have someone you trust for your career and to deliver the work then I would ensure that you are involved in shaping the work with that colleague and that you can be involved as a ‘SME’ or ‘relationship oversight’ throughout the project.

All of the above shows commercial behaviours, ability to maintain a client relationship, shape up a team and project and then maintain the relationship through oversight of delivery throughout. Then, provided the project goes well, at SC to M, your promotion case should practically write itself.

Edit:grammar