Project Development Manager

Harkins Builders, Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/dental/vision benefits

Paid time off

401k Plan

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Profit Sharing Program

Tuition reimbursement

Mileage and expense reimbursement

Job summary

Harkins Builders, Inc. is seeking a Project Development Manager to build and strengthen client and partner relationships across the DMV region. You will collaborate with marketing, preconstruction, and operations to craft pursuit strategies, develop proposals, and advance opportunities from lead to award.

You will manage client interactions, create promotional materials, and maintain a robust CRM pipeline using Dynamics where available, supporting long-term growth and repeat business.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, management, construction, marketing, or related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in construction or development industry, preferably in a business development role.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office software applications and client relationship management software. (Dynamics experience is a plus).
• Familiarity with using AI-enabled tools to support research, client intelligence, CRM maintenance, presentation development and pursuit preparation.

Responsibilities

• Build and strengthen relationships with clients, developers, architects, engineers, and industry partners to identify opportunities in the DMV.
• Prepare promotional packages and discovery letters, and assist in developing marketing and proposal packages.
• Collaborate with marketing, preconstruction, and operations to develop pursuit strategies.
• Maintain ongoing relationships with clients and preconstruction teams.
• Create presentations for clients and contribute to overall pursuit strategy and projects.

Skills

Communication

Networking

Persistence

Self-motivation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/management/construction/marketing

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM (Dynamics)

AI-enabled research tools

Job description

The project development manager builds and strengthens relationships with clients, developers, architects, engineers, and other industry partners to identify and pursue new opportunities in the DMV. This role collaborates closely with marketing, preconstruction, and operations teams to develop pursuit strategies, support business development efforts, and cultivate long-term client relationships.

• Prepare promotional packages and introduction letters and assist in developing other marketing and proposal packages.
• Participate in early-stage project strategy meetings with preconstruction and operations teams to ensure client expectations, pursuit strategy, scope, schedule, pricing approach, and relationship context are effectively transitioned.
• Maintain an ongoing relationship with clients and the preconstruction teams.
• Create and prepare presentations for clients and contribute to overall strategy in pursuit of new and existing clients.
• Ability to interact and communicate professionally with clients, architects, engineers, consultants, executives, and corporate staff.
• Pursue all Leads that will be advantageous for the company to win and create lasting relationships with clients in a repeat business mindset.
• Develop and track new clients, utilizing Microsoft Office and CRM platforms: Microsoft Dynamics experience preferred but other CRM experience is a plus.
• Work closely with the marketing department to create marketing material and other documents needed for client interactions.
• Develop client and architect/engineer database. Nurture new relationships and continue existing ones.
• Attend outside association functions to maintain business relationships and generate leads.
• Track & research lead generators as needed.
• Track potential projects in the planning stages with a research mentality.
• Maintain and update the lead tracking system (Dynamics).
• Attend early-stage project meetings with the preconstruction and project teams as needed until team chemistry is set in place.
• Attend required corporate meetings, training programs, and Harkins University seminars/webinars.
• Collaborate with other Project Development Managers in other Harkins regions.
• Maintain an accurate CRM pipeline with active client, lead, and opportunity updates.
• Build and maintain a targeted list of developers, owners, architects, engineers, brokers, and consultants in the DMV.
• Generate qualified introductions and project opportunities aligned with Harkins’ strategic markets.
• Support pursuit strategy from early lead through preconstruction handoff.
• Strengthen repeat-client relationships and identify expansion opportunities.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, management, construction, marketing, or related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in construction or development industry, preferably in a business development role.
• Excellent understanding of preconstruction and construction operations.
• Basic understanding of the real estate development business from the perspective of the developer.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Thrives in a networking environment and confident to take on a challenge.
• Resilient, persistent, and able to maintain momentum through long sales cycles and competitive pursuits.
• Assertive, self-starter, with a positive take-charge attitude.
• Demonstrated ability to advance relationships from initial contact through qualified opportunity, pursuit strategy, and project award.
• Creative and a green light thinker.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office software applications and client relationship management software. (Dynamics experience is a plus).
• Familiarity with using AI-enabled tools to support research, client intelligence, CRM maintenance, presentation development and pursuit preparation.
• Existing relationships within the DMV development, design, brokerage, owner, or institutional client community preferred.
• Ability to understand project feasibility, delivery methods, funding drivers, and owner decision-making.
• Experience supporting negotiated, design-build, CM-at-risk, or multifamily/commercial pursuits.

Harkins offers a total compensation package that includes base salary, bonus potential, and a comprehensive benefits package including health/dental/vision benefits, paid time off, retirement/401k, and Company Contribution plan. Additional benefits include life insurance, short & long-term disability, HSA/FSA, tuition reimbursement, and mileage and expense reimbursement. For this role, the base salary range is $110,000-$125,000. Compensation may varyoutside of this rangedepending on a number of factors, including a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. Base pay is one part of the Total Compensation Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work.

• Life & Disability
• HSA/FSA
• 401k Plan
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Profit Sharing Program
• Performance Bonus
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Holidays
• Mileage and Expense Reimbursement
• Pet Insurance
• Jury Duty Pay
• Bereavement Pay
• Training Programs & Seminars
• Wellness Programs
• Membership with Associated Builders & Contractors Association and other Professional Organizations
• Product Discounts with GE and other vendors