Business Development Manager - Fire Suppression (Northeast)

Johnson Controls; Lansdale (Montgomery County); On-site; USD 97,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid vacation/holidays/sick time

Company vehicle

Tools and equipment

Safety training

Job summary

Johnson Controls International plc. is seeking a Business Development Manager to drive growth and expand strategic customer relationships across our fire suppression portfolio.

You will engage architects, engineers, and end-users, serving as a trusted advisor who identifies opportunities and supports project development. Travel 50–75% is required as you lead account strategies, coordinate with internal teams, and ensure compliance with codes and safety standards while delivering tailored

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Marketing, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in strategic account management, enterprise sales, or business development in fire suppression.

Responsibilities

• Account Management – Build and maintain relationships with architects, engineers, end-users, and fire-protection stakeholders.
• Serve as a resource on fire suppression systems, industry standards, and application considerations.
• Strategic Planning – Develop account strategies aligning with project needs and code requirements.
• Align plans with customer priorities such as safety, reliability, and operational continuity.
• Identify upcoming projects, upgrades, and design opportunities needing fire suppression expertise.
• Provide guidance on suppression technologies based on risk and application.
• Customer Engagement – Ensure proactive communication throughout project lifecycles.
• Provide technical support, documentation, and system insights to meet code requirements.
• Coordinate discussions on specifications, scope, and project documentation.
• Collaborate with internal teams for accuracy and standards alignment.
• Stay current on fire codes, regulatory changes, and trends.
• Share insights to improve products, services, and programs.
• Cross-functional collaboration with engineering, operations, product management, and field teams.
• Provide field feedback to improve design, documentation, and support processes.
• Maintain records of project activity, interactions, and opportunities.
• Provide updates on workload, status, and priorities to leadership.

Skills

Strategic account management

Enterprise sales

Business development

Negotiation

Communication

Presentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Marketing, or related field

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Role Overview

The Business Development Manager is responsible for driving growth and expanding strategic customer relationships across our full portfolio of products and services. The role focuses on building and strengthening partnerships with architects, engineers, and end‑users—serving as a trusted advisor who identifies opportunities, supports project development, and delivers solutions aligned with each stakeholder’s unique needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Account Management – Build and maintain strong relationships with architects, engineers, end‑users, and other fire‑protection stakeholders.
• Serve as a knowledgeable resource on fire suppression systems, industry standards, and application considerations.
• Strategic Planning – Develop account strategies that support project needs, compliance requirements, and long‑term system performance objectives.
• Align plans with customer priorities such as safety, code compliance, reliability, and operational continuity.
• Opportunity Identification – Identify upcoming projects, system upgrades, and design opportunities where fire suppression expertise can support stakeholder decision‑making.
• Provide guidance on appropriate suppression technologies based on risk profile and application.
• Customer Engagement – Ensure consistent, proactive communication with customers throughout project lifecycles.
• Provide technical support, documentation, and system insights to help customers meet code requirements and operational goals.
• Technical & Contract Coordination – Support discussions related to system specifications, scope clarification, and project documentation.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure technical accuracy and alignment with industry standards.
• Market & Code Awareness – Stay current on fire codes, regulatory changes, industry trends, and emerging suppression technologies.
• Share insights with internal stakeholders to support continuous improvement of products, services, and technical programs.
• Collaboration – Work cross‑functionally with engineering, operations, product management, and field teams to support successful project outcomes.
• Provide field feedback to improve system design, documentation, and customer support processes.
• Reporting & Project Tracking – Maintain accurate records of project activity, customer interactions, and future opportunities.
• Provide clear updates on workload, project status, and account priorities to leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Marketing, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in strategic account management, enterprise sales, or business development in the fire suppression industry.
• Strong understanding of sales methodologies and account planning.
• Demonstrated success in managing and expanding strategic accounts.
• Exceptional negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to travel 50%–75% of the time.

Preferred Skills

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Proficiency in CRM software (SalesForce).
• Ability to influence and collaborate with cross‑functional teams.
• Experience working in a fast‑paced, high‑growth environment.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $97,000 – $140,000 a year, commensurate with experience, skills, and market data. The position also includes a competitive sales incentive plan based on project volume and margin.

Benefits include a comprehensive package: 401(k), medical, dental, vision, paid vacation/holidays/sick time, company vehicle, tools, equipment, and safety training.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Johnson Controls International plc. is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. If you are an individual with a disability and require accommodation during the application process, please let us know.