Director of Business Development

The Recruiting Department; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Recruiting Department is partnering with a leading national design-build construction firm to identify a Director of Business Development for its Memphis operation.

This role focuses on building a substantial pipeline, nurturing relationships with developers, end users, brokers, and other leaders to create long-term opportunities. Based in Memphis, you will leverage national capabilities to pursue opportunities nationwide and travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a strategic business development plan for the Memphis market while pursuing national opportunities when appropriate.
• Identify and build relationships with developers, end users, brokers, and other key lead generators.
• Originate new business through proactive prospecting, networking, and strategic relationship development.
• Get in early, positioning the company with prospective clients well before projects reach the traditional bid or RFP stage.
• Understand clients’ businesses, real estate strategies, financial considerations, and project drivers to identify where the organization can create value.
• Qualify and prioritize opportunities based on fit, relationship strength, probability of success, and long-term potential.
• Maintain consistent activity and follow-through throughout long, complex pursuit cycles.
• Partner closely with leadership and operations throughout pursuit, project execution, and ongoing client development.
• Build repeat and referral business while continually pursuing the next opportunity.

Job description

The Recruiting Department is partnering with a leading national design-build construction firm to identify a Director of Business Development for its Memphis operation.

Our client brings more than 30 years of experience, thousands of completed projects across hundreds of cities nationwide, and an integrated approach to commercial and industrial construction spanning architecture, engineering, construction, and project management. The Memphis team combines strong local market expertise with the resources and reach of a multibillion-dollar national organization. While Memphis and the surrounding region will be the primary focus, relationships developed in this role can create opportunities for projects throughout the country.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for an accomplished business development professional who is a true hunter, someone energized by creating opportunities that do not yet exist. This person knows how to build credibility with sophisticated decision-makers, develop relationships long before an immediate project exists, and turn those relationships into meaningful business opportunities. They are curious about how customers make money, what drives real estate and development decisions, and how to position their company as a strategic business partner rather than simply another contractor.

Most importantly, this person stays hungry. A major win doesn’t mean it’s time to coast, it creates momentum for whatever comes next. The right candidate is motivated by achievement, competition, financial opportunity, and the chance to build a substantial book of business over the long term.

About the Role

The Director of Business Development will create and advance new business opportunities for the Memphis operation while leveraging the organization’s national capabilities when relationships create opportunities in other markets.

Success means building a strong, sustainable pipeline of high-quality opportunities; expanding relationships and market presence; converting those relationships into profitable projects; and generating repeat and referral business over time. This person will remain closely involved throughout the pursuit and client lifecycle, partnering with leadership and operations to ensure business development translates into successful, long-term customer relationships.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and execute a strategic business development plan for the Memphis market while pursuing national opportunities when appropriate.
• Identify and build relationships with developers, end users, brokers, and other key lead generators.
• Originate new business through proactive prospecting, networking, and strategic relationship development.
• Get in early, positioning the company with prospective clients well before projects reach the traditional bid or RFP stage.
• Understand clients’ businesses, real estate strategies, financial considerations, and project drivers to identify where the organization can create value.
• Qualify and prioritize opportunities based on fit, relationship strength, probability of success, and long-term potential.
• Maintain consistent activity and follow-through throughout long, complex pursuit cycles.
• Partner closely with leadership and operations throughout pursuit, project execution, and ongoing client development.
• Build repeat and referral business while continually pursuing the next opportunity.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven success originating and closing new business in a complex, relationship-driven B2B environment.
• A demonstrated hunter mentality with the ability to create opportunities rather than depend on inbound leads or an existing network.
• Strong executive presence and the ability to build credibility with sophisticated decision-makers.
• Strong business and financial acumen paired with genuine curiosity about how customers make decisions.
• Experience navigating long sales cycles and developing relationships before an immediate opportunity exists.
• Highly competitive, achievement-oriented, self-motivated, and financially driven.
• Strong judgment, communication, relationship-building, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with operational and technical teams.
• Willingness to travel and participate in the relationship-building activities necessary to develop business.
• Experience in commercial construction, development, commercial real estate, brokerage, industrial, or a related field is preferred.
• A desire to build a substantial book of business and a long-term career, not simply make the next career move.

This Role Is for Someone Who...

• Hunts. You proactively identify targets, find multiple paths into organizations, and create opportunities before projects hit the market.
• Keeps going. You don't stop prospecting because the pipeline looks good or because you just landed a major win.
• Thinks like a businessperson. You want to understand what drives a client's decisions and the economics behind an opportunity—not simply whether there is a construction project available.
• Builds relationships with purpose. You develop genuine trust and create value, but you also understand how relationships become business opportunities.
• Owns what you sell. Winning the project isn't the end of the relationship. You stay engaged, partner with operations, and care deeply about delivering what was promised.
• Wants to build something. You're thinking in years, not quarters. You want a platform where relationships, performance, and a growing book of business can compound over time.

Location

This position is based in the Memphis market and requires an active presence in the local business and commercial real estate community. The role also offers the opportunity to develop business nationally as relationships and opportunities expand.