Business Development Manager

LJCHI Utility Services; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

LJCHI Utility Services seeks a seasoned Business Development Manager to identify and secure utility market opportunities across our service territories. You will build long-term relationships with electric utilities, engineering firms, and industry partners, lead proposal efforts, and coordinate with estimating, operations, and leadership to win strategic contracts.

This role requires frequent travel and strong commercial acumen.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Construction Management, or related field; or equivalent industry experience
• 5+ years of experience in utility construction, utility services sales, or related infrastructure markets
• Demonstrated success developing new business opportunities and managing client relationships
• Working knowledge of utility construction markets including distribution, transmission, substation, or storm restoration
• Experience participating in or supporting large project proposals and contract negotiations

Responsibilities

• Identify, pursue, and secure new utility market opportunities aligned with growth objectives
• Develop customer-specific business development strategies to expand services with existing clients and enter new markets
• Build and maintain relationships with electric utilities, engineering firms, and industry partners
• Position LJCHI for upcoming bid opportunities through early engagement with customers and stakeholders
• Coordinate travel and client engagement activities to maximize productivity and relationship development
• Support proposal and bid processes by assisting with opportunity identification, scope understanding, and client intelligence
• Provide market insights to improve proposal competitiveness and win probability
• Maintain CRM or opportunity tracking systems with leads and opportunities

Skills

Relationship building

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent industry experience

Tools

CRM software

MS Office

Job description

• Identify, pursue, and secure new utility market opportunities aligned with GMB’s strategic growth objectives.
• Develop and execute customer-specific business development strategies to expand services with existing clients and enter new markets.
• Build and maintain relationships with electric utilities, engineering firms, and industry partners.
• Position LJCHI for upcoming bid opportunities through early engagement with customers and stakeholders.
• Negotiate strategic vendor and partner relationships that strengthen LJCHI's market presence and project capabilities.
• Support profitable growth by identifying projects aligned with LJCHI's operational capabilities and geographic footprint.

Client Relationship Management

• Establish and maintain long-term relationships with key customer stakeholders.
• Conduct regular client meetings and jobsite visits to strengthen partnerships and identify future opportunities.
• Collaborate with operations leadership to address client needs and ensure successful project delivery.
• Represent GMB professionally in the marketplace while reinforcing the company’s commitment to safety, quality, and reliability.

Proposal & Bid Support

• Support the proposal and bid process by assisting with opportunity identification, scope understanding, and client intelligence.
• Collaborate with estimating, operations, and leadership to help develop competitive proposals and pricing strategies.
• Assist with proposal preparation, documentation collection, and coordination when internal capacity or workload requires additional support.
• Provide market insights and customer intelligence to improve proposal competitiveness and win probability.
• Participate in pre-bid meetings, customer briefings, and proposal presentations as required.
• Monitor industry trends, utility capital programs, and regional infrastructure investments to identify potential opportunities.
• Maintain awareness of competitors, market dynamics, and regulatory developments impacting utility construction markets.
• Represent GMB at industry conferences, trade shows, and networking events.
• Maintain and update CRM or opportunity tracking systems with leads, opportunities, and client engagement activities.
• Develop and maintain a forward-looking pipeline of business opportunities.
• Provide periodic reporting on pipeline status, market opportunities, and sales performance.
• Coordinate travel schedules and client engagement activities to maximize productivity and relationship development.

Other:

• Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational goals, including tasks outside of the primary job function as operational needs evolve.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Construction Management, or related field; or equivalent industry experience
• 5+ years of experience in utility construction, utility services sales, or related infrastructure markets
• Demonstrated success developing new business opportunities and managing client relationships
• Working knowledge of utility construction markets including distribution, transmission, substation, or storm restoration
• Experience participating in or supporting large project proposals and contract negotiations

Preferred

• Direct experience working with electric utilities or utility contractors
• Experience supporting RFP, RFQ, or competitive bid processes
• Familiarity with IBEW workforce environments and utility construction operations
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities
• Strategic thinking with strong commercial awareness
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to manage multiple opportunities and priorities simultaneously
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM or opportunity tracking tools

Job Type: Full-Time, Salary (Exempt)

Physical & Travel Requirements:

This role requires frequent travel, including overnight travel and occasional short-notice travel during storm or emergency response events. Travel may include visits to client offices, project sites, conferences, and industry events. A valid driver’s license and the ability to travel by vehicle and air are required. The position is primarily office-based but includes periodic visits to active construction sites. Candidates must be able to communicate effectively, sit for extended periods, and occasionally walk uneven terrain and wear required PPE including hard hat, safety glasses, high-visibility vest, and composite-toe boots. Travel may be required up to 60–70% depending on market territory and business development activity.