Business Development Manager

Working at Knobelsdorff (KE)

Along with building state-of-the-art projects, we build meaningful careers, lasting opportunities, and teams of dedicated individuals who truly own their work. As a leading turnkey specialty contractor specializing in Automation, Electric, Energy, and Power Services, our team tackles challenging, cutting-edge projects that provide opportunities to build new skills, confidence, and gain valuable hands-on experience in a variety of different industries. We tackle industrial electrical installations, advanced automation systems, and renewable energy solutions. 

Since our founding as a family-owned company in 1988, we've grown while staying true to our core value. Starting your career with KE means joining a culture that values your contributions, moves quickly, takes calculated risks, and celebrates team members who step up and own their work. 

If you're ready to join a team where your voice matters, your growth is supported, and your impact is celebrated, KE is the place for you.

Job Description

This role supports KE's business development efforts by expanding our presence within industrial electrical construction markets, including power generation, grain, feed, flour, oil and gas, and cement. You'll be responsible for building strategic customer relationships, identifying new project opportunities, and guiding pursuits from initial engagement through project development. Success in this role means growing KE's market presence, strengthening customer partnerships, and helping secure complex industrial projects, all while upholding KE's commitment to Safety, People, Passion, and Performance. If you're someone who takes pride in doing things the right way and thrives in a fast-moving environment, this position is built for you.

What You'll Do

You'll be part of a team that gets things done, works with purpose, and takes pride in the results. Your day-to-day responsibilities may include:

• Drive business growth within the power generation, grain, feed, flour, oil and gas, and cement markets.
• Build and maintain relationships with facility owners, operators, engineering firms, contractors, and equipment manufacturers.
• Identify opportunities including new facilities, plant expansions, capital projects, upgrades, and modernization efforts.
• Lead early project discussions involving industrial electrical systems, automation, controls, and design-build solutions.
• Develop account strategies and maintain consistent engagement throughout long sales and project development cycles.
• Partner with estimating, preconstruction, design, and operations teams to develop proposals and pursuit strategies.
• Qualify opportunities based on customer fit, project scope, schedule, delivery method, and competitive positioning.
• Support RFP and RFQ responses, customer presentations, interviews, and commercial discussions.
• Represent KE at industry conferences, trade associations, customer events, and networking opportunities.
• Maintain an accurate sales pipeline and customer activity records using CRM tools.
• Support project handoffs while maintaining customer relationships throughout project execution.

Qualifications

What You Bring

You're someone who shows up ready to work hard, learn fast, and contribute to a team that takes pride in doing things right. Successful candidates typically bring:

• 5+ years of business development, sales, account management, estimating, project management, operations, or related experience within industrial construction, electrical contracting, or engineering.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, Marketing, or a related field preferred; equivalent industry experience considered.
• Working knowledge of industrial electrical construction and industrial project execution.
• Understanding of design-build, negotiated, and competitively bid project delivery methods.
• Existing relationships within power generation, grain, feed, flour, oil and gas, cement, or related industrial markets preferred.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, account management, and CRM skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly to customer facilities, project sites, industry events, and conferences.

Additional Information

Pay Range

We believe in paying for the value you bring to the team, and we aim to be competitive in every market we hire in.

Pay Range: $95,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year

Total Rewards Statement

As a full-time employee at KE, you'll have access to a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, wellbeing, and future.

• 100% employer-paid health and dental coverage for employees
• HSA contributions to support your medical expenses
• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage
• 401(k) with competitive company match
• Performance-based incentives
• Paid weekly with competitive wages
• PTO, six paid holidays, and education reimbursement
• Exclusive employee discounts through Working Advantage

We believe your work should be rewarded with more than just a paycheck. At KE, we invest in your total wellbeing.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided for individuals with disabilities.

Typical requirements may include:

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and use a computer for extended periods throughout the workday.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, virtually, and by phone.
• Ability to travel regularly to customer facilities, project sites, conferences, and industry events.
• Occasionally lift and carry materials weighing up to 25 pounds.

Accessibility: If you need accommodations as part of the employment process, please contact KE Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO)

Knobelsdorff (KE) is an EEO to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:

• EEO is the Law ( English / Spanish )

KE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. For more information about E-Verify, please review the E-Verify Participation and Right to Work posters

If you need accommodation during the hiring process, let us know and we’ll work with you.