Business Development Manager - Developer Focused

Aqua America, Inc.; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Aqua America, Inc. is looking for a Manager of Business Development in Fort Worth, Texas. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and maintaining key relationships to secure opportunities for water and wastewater services. This role requires effective negotiation skills and a strong background in sales or business development.

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree, at least 5 years of relevant experience, and the ability to work collaboratively across various departments. A commitment to results and a focus on the residential real estate market in Texas are essential.

Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in business development and sales.
• Proven track record in negotiating with real estate developers.
• Experience in real estate development or utilities is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop relationships with developers and municipal leaders.
• Manage and maintain a pipeline of business opportunities.
• Coordinate activities with various departments like Finance and Engineering.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Sales

Business development

Analytical abilities

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or Engineering

Tools

CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce)

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Summary

Reporting to the Business Development Director Aqua Texas, the Manager, Business Development (BD) plays a critical role in developing a pipeline of opportunities to grow Aqua Texas’s water and wastewater services in desired geographical areas. This individual will dedicate a minimum of 50% of their time working with residential developers to identify opportunities to provide water and wastewater services and will also work with community leaders and key stakeholders to uncover municipal water and wastewater acquisition opportunities.

Essential Duties

• Develop and sustain relationships with residential developers, municipal leaders and key stakeholders to generate water and wastewater opportunities for Aqua Texas in desired geographical areas.
• Target, approach and engage with prospective targets to “sell” Aqua’s value proposition.
• Maintain a robust pipeline of opportunities by prospecting new opportunities and managing existing opportunities through the business development process.
• Partner with all primary functional areas of the organization in the pursuit and development of potential opportunities including Finance, Engineering, Operations, Environmental Compliance, Human Resources and Legal.
• Managing the proposal process and ensuring that all requirements have been satisfied so that a deal can be submitted.
• Co‑lead presentations of deals through the Aqua America Investment Committee for approval.
• Coordinate activities with external lawyers, advisors, accountants, and consultants to successfully complete a transaction.
• Work closely with Aqua’s Communications team and with major builder organizations such as Texas Home Builders Association to market Aqua’s unique capabilities to enhance development projects.
• Assists with other tasks or projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• 5 years or more experience assisting organization(s) with new business opportunities, including assessment of market attractiveness, entry strategy, and acquisitions or joint ventures.
• Proven experience negotiating and transacting with real estate developers, including structuring deals, managing relationships, and navigating development processes.
• Bachelor’s degree preferably in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or Engineering required.
• Demonstrate a successful track record in sales or business development.
• Experience with real estate development, municipalities, or utilities is a strong positive, but not required.
• Experience with civil engineering/land development would also be beneficial.
• Previous experience with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) is desired, but not required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Results oriented with a strong desire to win.
• General knowledge of the residential real estate market in Texas is a strong positive, but not required.
• Effective verbal and written presentation and communication skills.
• Well versed in making presentations and thinking on his / her feet.
• Mastery of Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel is critical to this role.
• Superior analytical abilities including advanced knowledge of financial and valuation techniques.
• In partnership with the state controller, perform valuations of target systems and make recommendations on valuations and deal terms, including establishing negotiation agendas and leading/participating on the negotiation team.
• Ability to identify and address cross‑functional issues that may be relevant to completing or implementing acquisitions and alliances, as well as developing and executing growth strategies.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills; communicate effectively (clearly, concisely, and professionally) with internal customers.
• Be highly motivated and possess vision and enthusiasm; can easily function in a high demand, performance‑driven environment.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• A team player able to work effectively in a team fostered multi‑tasking environment.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

Perform sedentary work—exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Working conditions include travel to work sites of Essential Utilities and/or other constituents – the company vehicle is provided. Travel requirements up to 50% (overnight travel is required).

Equal Employment Opportunity

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, is an Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered‑veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law. Aqua is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1-877-271-9012).