New York/ New Jersey Area Business Development Leader

HDR; New York (NY); On-site; USD 203,363 - 311,025; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical and dental benefits

Retirement savings plan with employer match

Tuition reimbursement

Employee referral bonus

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is looking for a Transportation Area Business Development Leader in New York City. This role involves setting the strategic vision and overseeing business development initiatives within the transportation sector. The ideal candidate has over 10 years of experience and strong connections within the New York and New Jersey markets. Responsibilities include managing business development plans, enhancing client relationships, and leading strategic initiatives. A comprehensive benefits package is provided.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of business development experience with strategic program development.
• Strong knowledge of the transportation market in New York and New Jersey.
• Demonstrated ability to motivate and inspire diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead 5-Year Strategic Vision & Planning.
• Manage business development to achieve client satisfaction and profitability.
• Coordinate business development activities with other Business Group leads.

Skills

Strategic program development

Client relationship management

Negotiation skills

Financial acumen

Communication skills

Education

BS or BA in an appropriate engineering discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office Applications

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

We believe transportation is more than movement, it’s the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.

The Transportation Area Business Development Leader is responsible for setting the strategic vision for a multi-market sector growth approach for HDR’s NY/NJ area. This leader will be responsible for coordination and oversight of the NY/NJ Area’s transportation business development programs and growth initiatives with support from sub-region Business Development Leaders, Client Development Leaders and the Area Marketing Services Manager. The position oversees business development activities for major planning, design, and construction programs, as well as mega-projects; works with local operations managers and regional directors in the areas of strategic planning, development of annual and long-term goals, budgeting, program leadership, client development, community and industry participation, project pursuits, staffing and marketing training.

Responsibilities

• Primarily responsible for strategy to achieve annual goals for the Area
• Develop and lead 5-Year Strategic Vision & Planning and Annual Plan (Alignment and Budgeting)
• Responsible for identifying and expanding markets
• Identify and propose Strategic Investments/ Hires
• Coordination with counterparts across the region and company
• Manage business development with business, operations, marketing, and project staff to maximize client satisfaction, company growth, and profitability.
• Responsible for the development of transportation business development plans and budgets and implementing tracking and reporting of Area marketing performance indicators, needed actions, and process improvements.
• Works with the Area Marketing Service Manager to direct Area marketing resources on transportation business group pursuits. Works with the Area Operations Manager and Area Transportation Business Group Manager to build marketing capabilities through recruitment, and staff training. Collaborate with operations managers on key hires and investments.
• Coordinate business development activities with other Business Group leads.
• Participate in the development of strong client relationships and serve as a key client manager for selected clients.
• Develop or coordinate the development of robust client management plans; and lead or support client management team meetings.
• Implement company marketing policies and procedures, standards, quality assurance, and risk management within the Area. Support staff training on client development, pursuit capture planning, proposal preparation
• Monitor new market trends and participate in the development and implementation of local and regional strategic and tactical planning.
• Facilitate major pursuit proposal reviews, marketing program evaluations, client feedback, peer reviews, problem resolution, acquisition integration, recognition activities, and client functions within the Area.
• Participate in Area project pursuits, proposal reviews, program evaluations, track client feedback and peer review actions, problem resolution, acquisition integration, recognition activities, and client functions. Encourage and participate in business and community activities as a representative of HDR.

Preferred Qualifications

• BS or BA in an appropriate engineering discipline or related discipline required.
• 10+ years of business development experience with strategic program development, proposal preparation, and presentation management, or similar related experience.
• Professional Engineering registration (PE)
• Strong knowledge and experience with Area transportation marketplace clients with an emphasis on New York and New Jersey.
• Excellent marketing and business development skills in addition to experience in contract negotiations and building relationships.
• Existing network of clients in New York and New Jersey
• Must work cooperatively and collaboratively with diverse teams, regional, department, technical managers, and project staff.
• Must be committed to quality, improvement, and HDR values.
• Preference is given to candidates with diverse transportation market sector experience.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years relevant industry experience
• Demonstrated "self-starter" with a history of completing projects with limited oversight
• Deep knowledge of the A/E/C industry's standard approach to procurement of professional services
• Demonstrated ability to motivate and inspire others
• Demonstrated ability to build a network of clients and industry partners
• Experience in sales and developing effective win strategies
• Strong financial acumen and negotiation skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Ability and desire to travel and engage with others in-person
• Demonstrated experience in writing compelling content based on information from technical staff

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) New York: $203,363 - $311,025 ; New Jersey: $195,228 - $298,584.

Primary Location: United States-New York-New York

Other Locations: United States-New Jersey-New Jersey

Industry: Highway + Road

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

BusinessClass: Marketing and Admin

Job Posting: Jan 8, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.