Commissioning (Cx) BD Principal

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% Employee-Owned

Retirement Savings

Health & Wellness

Company-Paid Protection

Work-Life Balance

Career Growth

Job summary

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. is seeking a Cx Business Development Principal to drive growth for our Commissioning program across healthcare, infrastructure, and industrial markets.

You will partner with regional leaders to set strategy, guide capture efforts, and strengthen long-term client relationships. The role requires fifteen years of relevant experience, engineering education, and professional certifications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering or related discipline.
• Fifteen years of relevant experience.
• CxA Certification, CEM Certification, and additional applicable certifications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain ongoing client relationships for the Commissioning program in assigned territories; serve as principal-level point of contact.
• Develop background research on target markets, projects, and potential clients; make disciplined pursue or decline recommendations.
• Compose and refine technical content for proposals; coordinate with Marketing on compliant, compelling submissions.
• Develop fee estimates and labor budgets; review contracts and provide suggestions to mitigate risk and align scope.
• Lead pursuit planning and presentations; coordinate proposal, interview, and presentation strategies with project leaders.
• Pursue new opportunities; describe services, coordinate proposals and contracts, and negotiate scopes, fees, and standard terms.
• Provide feedback to the Program Director on territory business strategy and emerging opportunities.
• Create and maintain accurate sales pipeline information in CRM systems and required internal platforms.
• Develop national accounts and blanket agreements with targeted clients; maintain personal relationships with long-term clients.
• Educate potential clients about SSR's commissioning services through presentations, workshops, and industry events.
• Coordinate with project teams to ensure smooth handoff from pursuit to delivery; brief project managers and attend initial project meetings as needed.
• Support commissioning delivery by attending project meetings and reviewing site visit reports to ensure client expectations are met.
• Register the program with owners and agencies; track vendor registrations and active or past projects for visibility and access.
• Collaborate across SSR programs to cross-sell AE services and provide integrated solutions for client challenges.
• Engage actively in professional organizations; represent SSR at trade shows and conferences to enhance market presence.

Skills

CxA Certification

CEM Certification

Executive-level communication

Proposal writing

Negotiation

Pricing strategies

Forecasting

CRM systems

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM platforms

Job description

Overview

At SSR, we're more than a leading engineering design, consulting, and planning firm—we're a team of owners committed to solving complex projects and delivering innovative solutions for facility and infrastructure challenges. With locations across the U.S. and expertise spanning diverse markets and services, our collaborative approach empowers us to build lasting partnerships with each other, our clients, and our communities.

We believe high performance and a people-first culture go hand in hand. As an owner from day one, our colleagues thrive in an environment that values accountability, celebrates achievement, and supports personal and professional growth. As owners, we take pride in our work and in each other—driving results while fostering a workplace where everyone feels seen, supported, and inspired.

What You'll Do

What You'll Do

As the Cx Business Development Principal, you will lead growth for our Commissioning program—developing new opportunities, nurturing strategic accounts, and aligning pursuits with market needs. You will partner with program and regional leaders to set strategy, guide capture efforts, and strengthen long-term client relationships across healthcare, infrastructure, industrial, and other markets.

• Manage and maintain ongoing client relationships for the Commissioning program in assigned territories; serve as principal-level point of contact.
• Develop background research on target markets, projects, and potential clients; make disciplined pursue or decline recommendations.
• Compose and refine technical content for proposals; coordinate with Marketing on compliant, compelling submissions.
• Develop fee estimates and labor budgets; review contracts and provide suggestions to mitigate risk and align scope.
• Lead pursuit planning and presentations; coordinate proposal, interview, and presentation strategies with project leaders.
• Pursue new opportunities; describe services, coordinate proposals and contracts, and negotiate scopes, fees, and standard terms.
• Provide feedback to the Program Director on territory business strategy and emerging opportunities.
• Create and maintain accurate sales pipeline information in CRM systems and required internal platforms.
• Develop national accounts and blanket agreements with targeted clients; maintain personal relationships with long-term clients.
• Educate potential clients about SSR's commissioning services through presentations, workshops, and industry events.
• Coordinate with project teams to ensure smooth handoff from pursuit to delivery; brief project managers and attend initial project meetings as needed.
• Support commissioning delivery by attending project meetings and reviewing site visit reports to ensure client expectations are met.
• Register the program with owners and agencies; track vendor registrations and active or past projects for visibility and access.
• Collaborate across SSR programs to cross-sell AE services and provide integrated solutions for client challenges.
• Engage actively in professional organizations; represent SSR at trade shows and conferences to enhance market presence.

Who We're Looking For

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering or related discipline
• Fifteen years of relevant experience
• CxA Certification, CEM Certification, and additional applicable certifications preferred

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven success growing commissioning or AE services and developing national accounts.
• Executive-level communication, presentation, negotiation, and technical writing skills.
• Advanced business acumen with command of pricing strategies, forecasting, profitability levers, and contract structures.
• Experience leading complex proposals and interviews with Marketing and technical leaders.
• Ability to mentor CRMs and emerging leaders and to build collaborative, high-energy teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with CRM and pipeline management platforms.

What We Offer

• 100% Employee-Owned - Ownership from day one with immediate ESOP vesting.
• Retirement Savings - 401(k) with immediate vesting and a generous company match.
• Health & Wellness - Medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus company-funded HSA contributions for HDHP plans.
• Company-Paid Protection - Life insurance, AD and short and long term disability at no cost to you.
• Work-Life Balance - Flexible schedules, paid parental leave, generous PTO, and paid company holidays.
• Career Growth - Tuition reimbursement and ongoing professional development support.

SSR is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer

EEO Disabled/Veterans

This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.

Recruiters or staffing agencies: SSR is not obligated to compensate any external recruiter or search firm who presents a candidate, their resume, or profile to an SSR employee without a current, fully executed agreement on file and being assigned to the open position via HR