Senior Business Development Manager

Reports to: Managing Director
Travel Requirements: Frequent Travel

About the Role
We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Senior Business Development Manager with a strong background in engineering/ infrastructure/ environment/ social fields, and related consultancy experience in the development sector. The ideal candidate should have 8-12 years of experience in business development and consulting, combined with a comprehensive understanding of the technical, regulatory, and project management aspects of these industries. This role offers the opportunity to leverage your expertise to drive business growth, secure high-value projects, and build long-term client relationships across diverse sectors.

Key Responsibilities

• Business Development & Strategy: Identify and pursue new business opportunities, focusing on expanding our client base and securing long-term contracts. Leverage existing networks and generate new connections to drive business growth.
• Client Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with clients, acting as their trusted consultant and advisor. Engage with existing clients to understand their needs and offer new solutions.
• Sector Expertise & Consultancy Solutions: Apply your expertise to offer tailored consultancy solutions. Lead client discussions and presentations, showcasing how our services meet their specific needs and expectations.
• Proposal Development: Prepare and present compelling proposals, bid responses, and presentations to secure new projects. Participate in pre-bid meetings, technical/ financial openings, and bid presentations to secure new business and demonstrate our expertise. Work with the Head Office team to review tenders, prepare Bid Information Sheets, assess the financial and technical feasibility of projects, and craft pre-bid queries, explore/ finalize Joint Venture (JV) arrangements, Consortium agreements, and other partnership structures to expand business opportunities.
• Networking & Market Expansion: Attend and represent the company at industry/sector events, conferences, and seminars, developing and strengthening relationships with potential clients, partners, and stakeholders. Explore opportunities for collaboration with corporate houses and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to generate business.
• Project Acquisition & Management: Lead efforts to acquire projects and maintain oversight of ongoing projects, ensuring alignment with client needs and company objectives. Collaborate with technical teams to ensure successful project delivery.
• Team Leadership & Collaboration: Mentor and provide guidance to business development team and collaborate with technical teams to ensure alignment with our service offerings. Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including engineers, project managers, and senior leadership, to develop integrated solutions and deliverables.
• Market Research & Trends: Stay updated on industry trends, technological advancements, and regulatory changes in engineering, water, sanitation, and environmental sectors. Use insights to inform business development strategies and adapt to market demands.
• Client Engagement & Travel: Engage in frequent travel to meet with clients, attend site visits, and present proposals. Regularly engage with clients/ key stakeholders through meetings, site visits, presentations, and workshops to nurture relationships.
• Exploration of New Business Channels: Actively pursue and identify new potential business channels such as CSR opportunities or other innovative collaboration models.
  

Qualifications

Educational Background

• Masters degree in Management/ Engineering/ Environmental/ Social Science, or a related field.

Professional Experience

• 8-12 years of proven experience in business development, consulting within engineering/ infrastructure/ water and sanitation/ environmental, or social sectors.
• Significant experience in client management, securing large-scale projects, and working with high-value accounts.
• In-depth understanding of technical, financial, and regulatory aspects of the sectors, including project feasibility and implementation.

Skills & Competencies

• Consulting expertise in the development sector.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage with senior stakeholders, present complex ideas clearly, and persuade decision-makers.
• Strong leadership skills with experience of mentoring junior business development staff and collaborating across diverse teams.
• Highly skilled in negotiation, contract management, and large-scale project acquisition.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities to develop business strategies in competitive and dynamic markets.
• Ability to manage complex proposals and post-bid negotiations efficiently.

Other Requirements

• Willingness and flexibility to travel frequently.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop, maintain, and expand long-term business relationships across sectors.