Business Development Manager

Location: Houston, TX Employment Type: Full-time We are seeking an experienced Business Development Manager to drive growth by building relationships with municipalities, identifying new opportunities, and leading the sales process from initial engagement through contract execution. This role will focus on expanding Aoka’s municipal services footprint by developing partnerships with local governments and successfully navigating public-sector procurement processes. Qualifications & Requirements: Bachelor's degree required Minimum of 5 years of professional sales experience required Experience selling construction-related services, professional services, or similar service relatedsolutions is required Experience selling to local governments, municipalities, or public sector clients is preferred Familiarity with government procurement processes, including RFQs, RFPs, SOQs, and public-sector contracting is preferred Experience supporting or leading proposal development, bids, or government submissions is desirable Strong presentation, negotiation, relationship-building, and communication skills Self-motivated with the ability to manage a sales pipeline, meet growth objectives, and work independently Ability to execute a structured sales process and consistently follow up on opportunities Ability to travel up to 75%, including frequent day trips and occasional overnight travel Must be available to attend evening city council meetings, planning commission meetings, and other municipal meetings as required Valid driver's license with a clean driving record and ability to operate a company-provided vehicle for business travel Responsibilities: Receive and qualify leads generated through various platforms, marketing channels, and business development efforts Execute Aoka's 5-step sales process from initial outreach through contract execution Work closely with the Marketing Manager to develop Statements of Qualifications (SOQs), proposals, and responses to RFQs/RFPs and ensure timely preparation, review and submission Collaborate with the Business Development Cold Caller to identify and target cities within Aoka’s service jurisdictions and establish meetings with key decision-makers Schedule and lead meetings with city officials to present Aoka’s municipal services and identify opportunities for partnership Establish and maintain strong relationships with city managers, building officials, public works directors, and other municipal stakeholders Identify, qualify, and pursue new business opportunities while maintaining a strong and accurate sales pipeline Collaborate with internal operations teams to ensure a smooth transition from contract award to project implementation Represent Aoka at industry conferences, networking events, council meetings, and client meetings Travel throughout assigned territories to build relationships and generate new business opportunities Compensation & Benefits: Competitive compensation package with an expected total earning potential of over $150,000, consisting of a solid base salary plus a highly rewarding commission structure tied directly to revenue generated and contracts secured Total compensation is performance-based and directly aligned with business development results and new revenue growth Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance Retirement plan with a 5% company match Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) starting at 2 weeks per year, and 3 weeks after year 2 of employment 1 week of paid sick leave annually 12 paid holidays annually Company-provided vehicle for business use About Aoka Aoka is a third-party municipal services provider serving federal, state, and local governments with code compliance, inspections, and consulting. Our proprietary software, VertexPlans, streamlines plan reviews, inspections, and reporting—ensuring faster turnaround times and better communication for our clients. Our Values: Continuous Improvement | Diversity of Thought | Empathy | Focus Our Vision : Empower clients with cutting-edge technologies and certified inspectors to deliver faster, smarter, and more reliable solutions. Apply Now to Join Our Team! Aoka is an equal opportunity employer (EEO) , providing fair employment to all applicants and employees.