Business Development Manager - Special Projects

This role leads and develops the Business Development Lead (BDL) team, drives strategic client engagement, oversees business development processes from opportunity identification through proposal development, and collaborates with operations, estimating, service sales, and executive leadership to secure profitable work and enhance customer relationships. Collaborate with the Service Sales Manager to ensure effective BDL-Service Account Manager (SAM) alignment and support customers across Service and Special Projects offerings.

 

 

 

Position Summary

The Business Development Manager is responsible for developing and executing growth strategies that increase market share, revenue, and profitability across the Special Projects business within the DMV region. This role leads and develops the Business Development Lead (BDL) team, drives strategic client engagement, oversees business development processes from opportunity identification through proposal development, and collaborates with operations, estimating, service sales, and executive leadership to secure profitable work and enhance customer relationships. 

Position Details

• Develop and execute market growth strategies focused on Special Projects opportunities throughout the DMV market, including Baltimore and Richmond as needed. 
• Identify and pursue key accounts, projects, and strategic opportunities aligned with growth objectives. 
• Develop and maintain relationships with customer stakeholders and decision-makers. 
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Business Development Lead (BDL) team. 
• Work with cross-functional teams to qualify opportunities, and develop winning pursuit strategies, and lead development of proposals with BDL team. 
• Maintain an understanding of construction costs and key cost drivers and ensure estimating workflows and cost reviews are completed prior to proposal submission. 
• Collaborate with the Service Sales Manager to ensure effective BDL-Service Account Manager (SAM) alignment and support customers across Service and Special Projects offerings. 
• Present in public and professional forums, including business organizations, industry groups, and government boards, to secure new work. 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. 
• 10+ years of business development, sales, construction, or related industry experience. 
• Leadership experience managing or developing business development professionals. 
• Strong business development, relationship management, negotiation, and presentation skills. 
• Understanding of construction project delivery, estimating processes, and project cost drivers. 

Travel Requirements 

• Primary focus is the DMV market. Occasional travel may be required for customer meetings, intercompany collaboration, networking events, and regional business development activities. Significant overnight travel is not anticipated. 

Primary Objective 

• Lead the growth and development of the Business Development Lead (BDL) team while driving expansion of the Special Projects business. 

Benefits

As a 100% employee-owned company, we offer a comprehensive benefits package for you and your family:

• 401(k) plan with 50% company match (no cap) and immediate 100% vesting
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (100% paid for employee)
• Annual bonus program based upon performance, achievement, and company profitability
• Term life, AD&D insurance, and voluntary life insurance
• Disability income protection insurance
• Pre-tax flexible spending plans (health and dependent care)
• Paid parental leave
• Paid holidays, vacation, and personal time
• Training/professional development opportunities and company-paid memberships for professional associations and licenses
• Wellness benefits 

 

About Southland Industries

As one of the nation’s largest MEP companies, Southland Industries is built on the foundation of great people. Since 1949, we have put our people first, enabling growth, professional achievement, and innovation. If you want to join a fast-paced environment where you’re engaged, challenged, and valued, apply now to join our dynamic team.

To learn more about careers at Southland, explore our career opportunities, follow us on social media, and check out our website.

 

Southland Industries and all its subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing our employees with a safe work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Southland Industries are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, marital status, family care or medical leave status, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Southland Industries will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

 

Pay: Final pay is determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data. For Virginia this ranges from $148,169.00 - $181,095.00 plus annual incentive, benefits, and retirement program as outlined above. 

 

Contingent Employment: All employment offers are contingent upon successful drug tests, background checks, and professional reference checks. Roles that include driving as an essential job duty will be required to have a successful Motor Vehicle Record check (MVR). We are not able to offer sponsorship of employment at this time.

 

External Agency Announcement: Its Southland Industries' policy not to accept candidate submissions from recruiting agencies without an active and authorized work order. Candidate ownership can only be established after a bona fide work order is issued by a member of the Southland Industries Talent Acquisition team and the candidate is appropriately submitted through our Applicant Tracking System (ATS).

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Required Experience