Business Development Manager

Job Description Department: Business Development / Preconstruction \n Reports To: CEO / CFO \n Position Type: Full-Time, Management Position Overview\n A Business Development Manager at Kramer is responsible for driving company growth through strategic business development, client relationship management, project acquisition, estimating, and preconstruction services. \n \n This individual plays a key role in identifying new business opportunities, developing and maintaining client relationships, pursuing prospective projects, and leading the estimating and proposal process from initial opportunity through contract award. \n \n Working closely with company leadership, project management, field operations, architects, engineers, owners, and subcontractors, this position ensures that projects are pursued strategically, accurately estimated, competitively priced, and aligned with the company's financial and operational objectives. \n The ideal candidate is a relationship-driven construction professional with strong estimating knowledge, commercial construction experience, sound business judgment, and the ability to identify opportunities and convert them into profitable projects. \n Key Responsibilities\n 1. Business Development & Sales \n \n Identify, develop, and pursue new business opportunities within the commercial construction market. \n Establish and maintain relationships with property owners, developers, commercial real estate professionals, architects, engineers, brokers, and other industry contacts. \n Proactively generate leads and develop a consistent pipeline of prospective projects. \n Represent the company professionally at networking events, industry functions, client meetings, and business development opportunities. \n Conduct introductory meetings and presentations with prospective clients to understand their construction needs and position the company as their preferred general contractor. \n Maintain regular communication with existing clients to strengthen relationships and generate repeat business. \n Develop strategies to expand the company's market presence, client base, and revenue opportunities. \n Monitor market conditions, competitor activity, and upcoming construction opportunities. \n Maintain a forward-looking sales pipeline and provide regular business development updates to company leadership. \n \n \n 2. Estimating & Preconstruction \n \n Lead and manage the estimating process for prospective commercial construction projects. \n Review architectural drawings, engineering plans, specifications, bid documents, and project requirements. \n Perform quantity takeoffs and develop detailed estimates for labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, general conditions, and other project costs. \n Solicit, review, and evaluate subcontractor and vendor pricing to ensure competitive and comprehensive project estimates. \n Identify scope gaps, discrepancies, potential cost exposures, and opportunities for value engineering. \n Develop preliminary budgets, conceptual estimates, detailed estimates, and final bid proposals. \n Coordinate with architects, engineers, owners, subcontractors, and vendors to clarify project scope and pricing requirements. \n Evaluate project schedules, logistics, site conditions, phasing, and constructability considerations. \n Develop alternate pricing, cost-saving recommendations, and value engineering solutions when appropriate. \n Ensure estimates are thorough, accurate, competitive, and consistent with company pricing strategies and profitability objectives. \n \n \n 3. Proposal Development & Project Acquisition \n \n Prepare professional proposals, budgets, bid packages, qualifications, and presentations. \n Coordinate bid submissions and ensure all required documentation is completed accurately and submitted on time. \n Develop project pricing strategies in coordination with company leadership. \n Participate in client presentations, interviews, scope reviews, and project negotiations. \n Clearly communicate the company's qualifications, capabilities, experience, and competitive advantages. \n Follow up on submitted proposals and maintain communication throughout the selection and award process. \n Assist with contract review, scope clarification, and commercial negotiations prior to project award. \n Maintain accurate records of project pursuits, bid results, client feedback, and awarded work. \n \n \n 4. Client Relationship & Account Management \n \n Serve as a primary point of contact for prospective and existing clients throughout the business development and preconstruction process. \n Build trust through responsiveness, professionalism, transparency, and consistent communication. \n Understand client expectations, project objectives, budgets, schedules, and overall business goals. \n Identify opportunities for repeat business, negotiated work, additional projects, and long-term client relationships. \n Ensure a smooth transition from business development and estimating to project management and operations following contract award. \n Participate in client meetings and maintain relationships throughout the project lifecycle as appropriate. \n \n \n 6. Financial Performance & Strategic Growth \n \n Pursue projects that align with the company's capabilities, resources, strategic objectives, and profitability expectations. \n Evaluate project opportunities based on size, complexity, schedule, risk, competition, and potential return. \n Work with company leadership to establish pricing strategies, margin expectations, and project selection criteria. \n Monitor estimating accuracy and compare original estimates against actual project costs when available. \n Identify opportunities to improve estimating performance, win rates, project margins, and overall company profitability. \n Contribute to annual business development and revenue growth objectives. \n \n Qualifications & Experience\n \n 5+ years of experience in commercial general contracting, construction estimating, preconstruction, business development, or a related field preferred. \n Demonstrated understanding of commercial construction methods, materials, building systems, and construction processes. \n Proven ability to develop client relationships and generate new business opportunities. \n Strong knowledge of construction estimating, quantity takeoffs, subcontractor procurement, and bid preparation. \n Ability to read and interpret architectural drawings, engineering plans, specifications, and construction documents. \n Experience preparing commercial construction budgets, estimates, proposals, and bid packages. \n Strong understanding of construction costs, subcontractor pricing, labor, materials, general conditions, overhead, and profit. \n Excellent written, verbal, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal communication skills. \n Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple opportunities and competing deadlines. \n Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel, and construction estimating software. \n Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with company leadership and operations personnel. \n \n Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)\n Performance will be evaluated based on the individual's ability to generate quality business opportunities, secure profitable work, and maintain a strong estimating and preconstruction process. \n Key performance measurements may include: \n \n New business opportunities generated. \n Value of qualified opportunities added to the sales pipeline. \n Total dollar value of projects pursued and awarded. \n Bid-to-award conversion rate. \n Revenue generated from new and existing client relationships. \n Accuracy and reliability of project estimates. \n Gross profit margin on awarded projects compared to estimated margins. \n Quality, completeness, and timeliness of proposals and bid submissions. \n Development and retention of repeat clients. \n Overall contribution to company growth and profitability. \n