Business Development Director, Houston

Socket.dev; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

ICON is seeking a Director of Business Development to architect expansion across the Greater Houston area. You will position ICON's robotics and advanced materials as premier solutions for developers and institutional capital, reporting to the Vice President, Real Estate and Sales.

This role is located in Houston and requires market leadership in a fast-paced environment. You will own the deal lifecycle from visioning through contract to handoff, build a strong ecosystem, and navigate regulatory

Qualifications

• 10+ years of high-performance experience in Business Development or Real Estate Development.
• Experience in Design-Build, General Contractor or real estate developer environments.
• Deep understanding of Greater Houston real estate fundamentals and developer landscape.
• Strong network of local developers, investors, and architectural influencers.

Responsibilities

• Market intelligence & asset strategy to identify segments and motivate strategic growth.
• Executive pipeline & relationship management with developers, PE investors, and architects.
• Deal structuring & project feasibility including pro-formas and cost metrics.
• Regulatory diplomacy & brand stewardship with AHJs and marketing collaboration.

Skills

Real estate development

BD strategy

Executive networking

Deal structuring

Regulatory diplomacy

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Business, Finance, Real Estate, Construction Management or related

MBA or MRED preferred

Tools

AI tools (Claude, Gemini)

Job description

ICON is redefining the built environment through robotics, software, and advanced materials. We are seeking a Director of Business Development to architect our expansion across the Greater Houston area. This role is ideal for a strategic operator who understands that we are not just bidding on jobs—we are shifting the paradigm of how the world builds. You will serve as the primary market strategist, positioning ICON's proprietary technology as the premier solution for visionary developers and institutional capital, early in project idea development. This role is located in Houston and will report to the Vice President, Real Estate and Sales.

Key Responsibilities

1. Market Intelligence & Asset Strategy

• Strategic Positioning: Identify and penetrate market segments (e.g., master-planned communities, strategic infill, retail, mixed-use, and small commercial) that specifically benefit from ICON's robotic speed, design freedom, and material durability—including resilience advantages in a hurricane- and flood-prone Gulf Coast market.
• The "Capture" Gatekeeper: Lead the regional "Go/No-Go" process. You will vet opportunities against ICON's technical capabilities and Minimum Viable Project criteria.

2. Executive Pipeline & Relationship Management

• C-Suite Networking: Cultivate a deep ecosystem of first-movers, including top tier developers, private equity investors, and world-class architects/engineers who prioritize innovation over the status quo.
• Full Lifecycle Ownership: Own the deal from initial visioning sessions through to a signed contract. You are responsible for the seamless transition of high-value accounts to the Pre-Construction and Project Management teams.
• Consultative Leadership: Act as a subject matter expert on ICON’s robotics systems, educating stakeholders on the long-term ROI, sustainability, and de-risking benefits of automated construction.

3. Deal Structuring & Project Feasibility

• Development Literacy: Conduct high-level financial and technical feasibility assessments. You must be able to "speak developer," understanding pro-formas, construction costs metrics and how ICON’s speed-to-market impacts project returns.
• Contract Negotiation: Lead the negotiation of complex Design-Build agreements, ensuring terms align with ICON’s requirements.

4. Regulatory Diplomacy & Brand Stewardship

• Market Pioneering: Partner with ICON’s regulatory teams and local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) to navigate permitting hurdles, acting as a diplomat for robotic construction in new municipalities.
• Strategic Positioning: Collaborate with Marketing to differentiate ICON against traditional GCs, highlighting our ability to deliver architecturally complex, resilient structures that traditional methods cannot replicate.

Qualifications

• Experience: 10+ years of high-performance experience in Business Development or Real Estate Development. A proven track record in a Design-Build, General Contractor or real estate developer environment is essential.
• Industry Acumen: Deep understanding of the Greater Houston real estate fundamentals, including land use, regional construction costs, and the Greater Houston developer landscape.
• Technical Literacy: Ability to navigate technical discussions regarding robotics, architecture, and advanced material science without a translator.
• The Network: A "Day One" rolodex of local developers, investors, and architectural influencers across the Greater Houston area.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Business, Finance, Real Estate, Construction Management or related. An MBA or MRED is preferred.
• AI Proficiency: Proficient in leveraging AI tools (Claude, Gemini) to accelerate research, drafting, and analysis - with a demonstrated ability to automate workflows and drive efficiency in a fast-paced deal environment.

ICON is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an innovative, inclusive, diverse and discrimination-free work environment. Employment with ICON is based on merit, competence, and qualifications. It is our policy to administer all personnel actions, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting employees, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. Consistent with the obligations of these laws, ICON will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Furthermore, as a federal government contractor, the Company maintains an affirmative action program which furthers its commitment and complies with recordkeeping and reporting requirements under certain federal civil rights laws and regulations, including Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended) and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (as amended).

As part of our compliance with these obligations, the Company invites you to voluntarily self-identify as set forth below. Provision of such information is entirely voluntary and a decision to provide or not provide such information will not have any effect on your employment or subject you to any adverse treatment. Any and all information provided will be considered confidential, will be kept separate from your application and/or personnel file, and will only be used in accordance with applicable laws, orders and regulations, including those that require the information to be summarized and reported to the federal government for civil rights enforcement purposes.

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