Business Development Manager

Who We Are:

ECM Consultants, an Aventia Company, is a full-service engineering, architecture, inspection, and construction management firm that has been helping clients solve complex infrastructure challenges across the Gulf South since 1995.


Headquartered in Metairie, Louisiana, ECM has successfully delivered more than 1,700 infrastructure and public works projects for federal, state, and local government agencies. Our reputation is built on technical excellence, responsive service, and a commitment to successful project execution.


Our multidisciplinary team of engineers, architects, construction managers, and inspectors collaborates on projects involving transportation systems, water resources, coastal restoration, flood protection, architectural design, and construction management. As part of Aventia, you will have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work, collaborate with experienced professionals, and build a rewarding career within an organization that values quality, safety, innovation, and client success.


Position Summary:

We are seeking an experienced Business Development Manager with a strong background in Civil Engineering and Construction Management in the Louisiana and Mississippi public and private market sector to identify new business opportunities, develop client relationships, and drive revenue growth. The ideal candidate combines technical construction knowledge with strong sales, negotiation, communication, and project management skills with a vast knowledge of the Louisiana and Mississippi market.

Position Responsibilities:

Business Development & Market Strategy

• Identify and develop new business opportunities in civil design and construction, infrastructure, commercial, industrial, and related markets.

• Research market trends, upcoming projects, competitors, and potential clients to develop business strategies.

• Identify projects during the planning and bidding stages and position the company to pursue qualified opportunities.

• Support strategic planning and identify opportunities to expand into new markets, services, or geographic areas.

Client Relationships & Market Presence

• Develop and maintain key client relationships with owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors, consultants, architects, engineers, and government agencies.

• Attend industry conferences, networking events, pre-bid meetings, and client meetings to expand the company's market presence.

• Monitor customer satisfaction and maintain long-term relationships with key accounts.

Proposals, Pursuits & Negotiations

• Prepare and deliver proposals, presentations, capability statements, and client-specific business development materials.

• Lead client meetings, project pursuits, negotiations, and contract discussions in coordination with estimating and operations teams.

• Assist with developing pricing, project pursuit strategies, and contract negotiations while ensuring alignment with company objectives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Reporting

• Collaborate with estimators, project managers, engineers, and senior leadership to evaluate project opportunities and develop competitive proposals.

• Review construction plans, specifications, scopes of work, schedules, and budgets to understand project requirements and risks.

• Maintain a pipeline of prospective projects and provide regular sales forecasts and business development reports.

Experience/Education/Licensing & Certification Requirements:

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Planning, Business/Public Administration, or a related field.

• 5+ years of experience in construction, civil engineering, project management, estimating, business development, or a related field.

• Strong understanding of construction processes, contracts, estimating, project delivery methods, and industry practices.

• Demonstrated ability to develop client relationships and generate new business opportunities.

• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, contracts, and project documentation.

• Strong understanding of construction costs, schedules, subcontracting, procurement, and project risk.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.

• Ability to travel for client meetings, project sites, conferences, and business development activities.

Preferred Experience

• Demonstrated success pursuing Louisiana state and local government contracts.
• Civil infrastructure, heavy highway, utilities, site development, commercial, industrial, or public-sector construction.

• Preconstruction and estimating.

• Design-build and other alternative project delivery methods.

• Government and municipal contracting.
• CRM proficiency, preferably Deltek VantagePoint.

• Proposal development and project pursuit strategy.

• Existing relationships with owners, developers, contractors, or public agencies.

• Professional engineering or construction certifications.

Key Performance Indicators:

• New revenue generated.

• Qualified project opportunities developed.

• Proposal and bid success rate.

• Number and value of new client accounts.

Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate is a civil engineer or construction professional who can bridge the gap between technical construction operations and business development. They understand how projects are designed, estimated, scheduled, and delivered while also having the communication and relationship-building skills necessary to win new work and develop long-term client partnerships with local stakeholders.


What We Offer:

At ECM, you will help design, restore, protect, and improve communities across the Gulf South. Our employees have the opportunity to work on meaningful projects, collaborate with experienced professionals, and grow within a culture that values quality, safety, innovation, teamwork, and client success.


Benefits Include

• Medical Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan

• Life Insurance

• Short-Term Disability

• Long-Term Disability

• Paid Time Off

• Paid Sick Leave

• Paid Holidays

We are committed to supporting our employees' health, financial well-being, professional growth, and work-life balance through a competitive compensation and benefits package.