Business Development Manager

SoTalent; Montague Township (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

SoTalent in Michigan is seeking a Director of Business Development to lead strategic growth in the commercial construction market. You will build long-term client partnerships, influence business strategy, and position the organization for future project opportunities.

The ideal candidate is a relationship-driven leader with deep knowledge of commercial development, procurement processes, and construction lifecycles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Construction Management, Real Estate, Marketing, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 5 to 10 years of experience in commercial construction business development, real estate development, or related industries.
• Proven track record of building relationship pipelines that consistently generate project opportunities and revenue growth.
• Strong understanding of commercial development processes, permitting, entitlements, and procurement procedures.
• Experience managing relationships with developers, property owners, brokers, franchise organizations, or similar stakeholders.
• Excellent presentation, communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple opportunities and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Identify, develop, and nurture strategic relationships with developers, property owners, and other stakeholders.
• Build and manage a long-term BD pipeline that generates sustainable project opportunities.
• Develop and execute market growth strategies that increase brand visibility and business expansion.
• Proactively identify upcoming projects and position the organization for early engagement opportunities.
• Drive growth through negotiated contracts and relationship-based sales strategies.
• Collaborate with preconstruction, estimating, and operations teams to ensure seamless transition from business development to project execution.

Skills

Relationship building

Strategic thinking

Networking

Negotiation

Market awareness

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Are you passionate about building strategic relationships, identifying growth opportunities, and driving business development success in the commercial construction industry?

We are seeking a Director of Business Development to lead strategic growth initiatives and expand our presence within the commercial construction market. This role offers the opportunity to build long-term client partnerships, influence business strategy, and play a pivotal role in securing future project opportunities. The ideal candidate is a relationship-driven leader with a deep understanding of commercial development, procurement processes, and construction project lifecycles.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Market Growth

• Identify, develop, and nurture strategic relationships with developers, property owners, tenant representatives, franchise organizations, and key industry stakeholders.
• Build and manage a long-term business development pipeline that generates sustainable project opportunities.
• Develop and execute market growth strategies that increase brand visibility and business expansion.
• Proactively identify upcoming projects and position the organization for early engagement opportunities.
• Drive growth through negotiated contracts and relationship-based sales strategies.

Client Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary ambassador of the company, building trust and credibility within the regional commercial construction community.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with decision-makers, industry influencers, and prospective clients.
• Understand client objectives, project timelines, and business priorities to align solutions with customer needs.
• Foster long‑term partnerships that lead to repeat business and ongoing opportunities.
• Represent the organization at industry events, networking functions, and business development meetings.

Opportunity Identification & Pursuit Management

• Evaluate requests for qualifications (RFQs), requests for proposals (RFPs), and other project opportunities.
• Navigate public and private procurement processes to maximize project win rates.
• Coordinate pursuit strategies and support proposal development efforts.
• Track market intelligence, development activity, and emerging business opportunities within targeted sectors.
• Develop competitive positioning strategies that strengthen market presence.

Preconstruction & Project Coordination

• Collaborate closely with preconstruction, estimating, and operations teams to ensure seamless transition from business development to project execution.
• Support early project planning discussions and help align customer expectations with project capabilities.
• Facilitate communication between prospective clients and internal project teams throughout the pursuit process.
• Help ensure successful project handoffs and continued client satisfaction.

Strategic Market Engagement

• Build relationships with municipal leaders, public agencies, and community stakeholders to strengthen business opportunities.
• Support initiatives that increase participation in public sector and community‑based projects.
• Monitor industry trends, market conditions, regulatory changes, and competitive activity.
• Identify opportunities to expand service offerings and enter new market segments.

Leadership & Organizational Impact

• Contribute to long‑term growth planning and business development strategy.
• Help shape sales processes, relationship management practices, and client engagement programs.
• Mentor team members and share market insights that strengthen organizational capabilities.
• Collaborate across departments to support company‑wide growth and operational objectives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Construction Management, Real Estate, Marketing, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 5 to 10 years of experience in commercial construction business development, real estate development, or related industries.
• Proven track record of building relationship pipelines that consistently generate project opportunities and revenue growth.
• Strong understanding of commercial development processes, permitting, entitlements, and procurement procedures.
• Experience managing relationships with developers, property owners, brokers, franchise organizations, or similar stakeholders.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to understand project economics and client financial considerations.
• Excellent presentation, communication, negotiation, and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple opportunities and priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience transitioning from project management, project executive, preconstruction, or operational leadership roles into business development.
• Knowledge of public sector procurement processes and municipal project requirements.
• Experience managing relationships with tenant representation firms, development groups, and commercial stakeholders.
• Familiarity with contractor qualification processes, compliance requirements, and industry best practices.
• Experience supporting strategic growth initiatives within construction, real estate, development, or related industries.

What You'll Bring

• A relationship‑first approach to business development and client engagement.
• Strong strategic thinking and market awareness.
• The ability to identify opportunities and convert them into long‑term business partnerships.
• Exceptional networking, communication, and influencing abilities.
• Entrepreneurial drive with a passion for growth and business success.
• Integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to delivering value to clients and stakeholders.