Account Executive, Major Accounts

Sterling Engineering; Westchester (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling Engineering is seeking an Account Executive - Major Accounts in Westchester, IL. This role focuses on expanding our presence in the Energy & Infrastructure sector, managing strategic accounts, and delivering workforce solutions across engineering, construction, and infrastructure projects.

You will build relationships with senior decision-makers, develop targeted account strategies, and drive new business while collaborating with recruiting teams to fulfill staffing needs.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in major accounts management.
• Proven experience in business development, account management, or outside sales.
• Experience selling into energy, utilities, engineering, construction, or infrastructure industries.
• Ability to build relationships with senior decision-makers.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop Major Accounts by identifying and securing new business with large organizations in energy, utilities, and infrastructure.
• Establish partnerships with executives, engineering leaders, project managers, operations directors, procurement teams, and talent acquisition professionals.
• Develop targeted prospect lists, execute account strategies, and generate opportunities within high-value organizations.
• Navigate multiple stakeholders and long-term purchasing decisions to establish new client relationships.
• Partner with recruiting teams to provide staffing solutions (contract, contract-to-hire, direct-hire) for technical roles.
• Identify opportunities to support additional departments, locations, and projects within existing clients.
• Generate business through prospecting, networking, referrals, events, presentations, and client visits.
• Present staffing solutions, negotiate service agreements, and establish long-term client partnerships.
• Work with divisional leadership to develop growth plans and identify opportunities.
• Consistently meet or exceed sales KPIs, revenue targets, and account growth.

Skills

Major accounts management

Business development

Outside sales

Relationship building

Negotiation

Sales strategy

Communication

Market knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience

Job description

Account Executive - Major Accounts

Energy & Infrastructure Division

Location: Westchester, IL

Base Salary: $70,000-$90,000 annually

Expected Total Compensation: $100,000+ (Uncapped Commission)

Schedule: 100% On-Site (Hybrid Opportunity in the Future)

Join an Award-Winning Team!

Sterling Engineering has been recognized among the top 2% of staffing companies nationwide for client and employee satisfaction for over seven consecutive years. We've also earned recognition for internal employee satisfaction, making Sterling an exceptional place to build your career. We're looking for a driven, strategic, and relationship-focused Account Executive - Major Accounts to help expand our Energy & Infrastructure Division. This opportunity is ideal for someone who thrives on developing high-value relationships, securing new business with major organizations, and building long-term partnerships within the energy, utilities, engineering, and infrastructure markets.

WHAT ROLE WILL YOU PLAY?

As an Account Executive - Major Accounts, you'll play an important role in expanding Sterling's presence within the Energy & Infrastructure sector, with a focus on developing and growing strategic accounts.

You'll work closely with leadership and our technical recruiting teams to identify new business opportunities, establish relationships with key decision-makers, and deliver workforce solutions that support complex engineering, construction, and infrastructure projects.

This role offers the opportunity to build meaningful partnerships with major organizations while directly contributing to Sterling's continued growth.

What You’ll Do

• Develop Major Accounts: Identify, prospect, and secure new business opportunities with large organizations across the energy, utilities, and infrastructure sectors.
• Build Strategic Relationships: Establish partnerships with executives, engineering leaders, project managers, operations directors, procurement teams, and talent acquisition professionals.
• Drive New Business: Develop targeted prospect lists, execute account strategies, and generate opportunities within high-value organizations.
• Manage Complex Sales Cycles: Navigate multiple stakeholders, vendor approval processes, and long-term purchasing decisions to establish new client relationships.
• Deliver Workforce Solutions: Partner with recruiting teams to provide contract, contract-to-hire, and direct-hire staffing solutions for specialized technical and professional positions.
• Expand Account Relationships: Identify opportunities to support additional departments, locations, and projects within existing client organizations.
• Lead Business Development Activities: Generate business through prospecting, networking, referrals, industry events, presentations, and client visits.
• Negotiate & Close: Present customized staffing solutions, negotiate service agreements, and establish long-term client partnerships.
• Collaborate With Leadership: Work closely with divisional leadership to develop strategic growth plans and identify emerging market opportunities.
• Drive Results: Consistently meet or exceed established sales KPIs, revenue targets, and account growth objectives.

What We’re Looking For

• 2+ Years of experience managing major accounts
• Proven experience in business development, account management, or outside sales.
• Experience developing or managing major accounts strongly preferred.
• Background selling into the energy, utilities, engineering, construction, or infrastructure industries preferred.
• Experience with staffing, technical recruiting, engineering services, or professional services is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with senior-level decision-makers and navigate complex organizations.
• Strong prospecting, strategic account development, negotiation, and closing skills.
• Ability to understand technical concepts, engineering disciplines, and customer workforce requirements.
• Experience managing longer sales cycles and developing relationships with multiple stakeholders.
• Self-motivated, competitive, and driven to generate new business.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple accounts and priorities.
• Willingness to travel for client meetings, presentations, and business development opportunities.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience preferred.

Industry Experience We Value

Experience developing business or managing accounts within any of the following industries is highly desirable:

• Electric Utilities & Power Distribution
• Energy Generation & Renewable Energy
• Transmission & Distribution (T&D)
• Power Generation & Grid Modernization
• Oil, Gas & Petrochemical
• Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC)
• Infrastructure Development
• Industrial Construction
• Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I)
• Energy Storage & Battery Technologies
• Critical Infrastructure & Data Centers

WHY STERLING ENGINEERING?

At Sterling Engineering, you'll have the opportunity to grow your career with an established, award-winning staffing organization while developing relationships with major organizations across the Energy & Infrastructure industry.

You’ll benefit from experienced technical recruiting support, a collaborative leadership team, competitive compensation, and uncapped commission potential. If you're passionate about developing strategic relationships, winning new business, and supporting industries that power our communities, we'd love to hear from you!

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.