Business Development Specialist

General Job Description Job Summary The Business Development Associate is responsible for strengthening customer relationships, supporting field operations, and driving growth within assigned markets. This role serves as the primary liaison between our customersand internal teams, ensuring that construction, purchasing, and warranty partners receive exceptional service, timely communication, and consistent follow-through. The ideal candidate is relationship-driven, highly organized, comfortable working in the field, and eager to learn the operational aspects of our business. Key Responsibilities Lead Management and Customer Relations Develop an understanding of the market and the major players within our customer base. Use tools such as Zonda and business journals to increase market knowledge and awareness. Attend IES training sessions and ride along with KEP personnel to gain knowledge of all three trades and KEP operations. Attend industry trade events for networking and market awareness. Maintain strong long-term relationships with construction, purchasing, and warranty teams to ensure our work meets scheduling and quality guidelines. Allocate time approximately as follows: 45% with construction teams 45% with purchasing teams 10% with warranty teams Attend construction and purchasing meetings to ensure we are delivering the quality expected from KEP. Build and maintain a schedule to periodically meet with customers across assigned cities through both scheduled visits and drop-ins. Utilize approved sales assets to provide occasional meals, donuts, or other small appreciation items for customers. Organize quarterly luncheons with construction and purchasing teams to gather feedback and strengthen relationships. Maintain a schedule of four days in the field and one day in the office for internal and external collaboration. Customer Experience & Retention Ensure end-to-end customer satisfaction. Track and report insights gathered from customer discussions to the KEP team. Follow up on the resolution of any issues to ensure proper closure. Track customer satisfaction metrics and assist in implementing improvement plans when necessary. Collaboration with Internal Teams Attend weekly meetings to review findings from the previous week and outline the upcoming schedule. Share feedback and insights from customer meetings with the KEP team. Escalate urgent matters to the appropriate internal team members. Provide weekly feedback on pricing discussions uncovered during customer meetings or calls. Collaborate with internal teams and market managers to ensure operations are moving in the right direction. Reporting & Documentation Use CRM systems to maintain accurate and up-to-date records. Document customer interactions and required follow-up actions. Add and update project information as it becomes available. Maintain accurate monthly expense reporting and documentation. Minimum Education None Minimum Years of Experience 2-4 Specific Qualifications Required Qualifications High School Diploma or GED required. Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. Ability to communicate effectively with field personnel, customers, and internal teams. Highly organized, self-motivated, and capable of working independently. Strong problem-solving abilities with a proactive approach to addressing customer needs. Ability to ask thoughtful questions, identify opportunities, and follow through on commitments. Willingness to travel throughout assigned territories and markets. Valid driver's license with a clean driving record. Ability to successfully pass a background screening. Preferred Qualifications Prior experience in construction, business development, customer service, sales, or a related field. Familiarity with construction industry practices and customer relationship management (CRM) systems. Work Environment Primarily field-based position with regular visits to construction sites, customer offices, and industry events. Work is performed in a combination of construction environments, office settings, and outdoor conditions. Typical schedule consists of four days in the field and one day in the office. Occasional early morning, evening, or after-hours meetings may be required to accommodate customer schedules and industry events. Physical Requirements Ability to walk construction sites and navigate uneven terrain safely. Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during site visits, meetings, and events. Ability to drive frequently between customer locations within assigned territories. Ability to occasionally lift and carry materials weighing up to 25 pounds, including marketing materials and event supplies. Ability to regularly use a computer, mobile phone, tablet, and CRM software for communication, reporting, and customer management. Job Location Cincinnati, Ohio (US-OH-Cincinnati) License Required Yes Job Locations US-OH-Cincinnati Company Overview IES is a national provider of industrial products and infrastructure services to a variety of end markets, including electrical, mechanical and communications contracting solutions for the commercial, industrial, residential and renewable energy markets. IES is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol IESC. As of the end of IES's 2025 fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, IES produced over $3.3 billion in revenue and employed over 10,200 employees at over 174 domestic locations across the United States. Our commitment to our employees is reflected by our actions: Safety is Priority One - and our record shows it Competitive Pay Company 401K plan with Employer Contribution Match Company Paid Time Off Company Paid Life Insurance Choice of Medical Coverage including Prescription and Short Term Disability Plans Choice of Dental and Vision Coverage Optional Long-term Disability, Critical Illness, Accident, Legal and Pet Coverage Auto and Home Insurance Discount Programs EEO Statement PLEASE NO AGENCY CALLS. NOTE TO ALL AGENCIES: Any unsolicited agency resumes or agency represented candidates that are presented to any IES employee without first having a signed contract between that agency and the IES Talent Acquisition organization will become the property of IES and no fees will be paid. EEO & Affirmative Action The IES policy on equal employment opportunity prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, individuals with disabilities, protected veterans, or any other protected status or characteristic. This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment, and also states that retaliation against any employee who files a complaint regarding possible violations of this policy will not be tolerated. IES is also committed to taking affirmative steps to promote the employment of minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans. IES develops affirmative action programs to support its commitment to equal employment opportunity, consistent with company policy and the company's obligations as a contractor to the United States government. View Your Equal Employment Opportunity rights under the law. "Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal; Conozca sus Derechos: La Discriminación en el Lugar de Trabajo es Ilegal Disability Accommodation IES is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. IES provides reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Applicants who need accommodation in the job application process should contact the IES corporate office at View phone number on click.appcast.io or any IES office to request assistance. IES Participates in E-Verify/IES participa en el programa E-Verify E-Verify Information/ Información sobre E-Verify English/Español Right to Work/Ley de Derecho al Trabajo English/Español