Business Development Leader - Carolinas

Strategic Business Development Leader

Ajax Building Company is seeking a strategic Business Development leader to drive market growth across the Carolinas and support expansion throughout the southeastern US. This individual will focus on developing new client relationships, expanding existing partnerships, and identifying opportunities across multiple sectors while collaborating closely with regional leadership.

This role offers the opportunity to make an immediate impact within a growing organization backed by the strength of STO Building Group's global platform. The level, scope, and leadership responsibility of this position will be aligned with the selected candidate's experience, with the potential to influence broader regional strategy and growth initiatives.

This role offers flexibility in base location across the Carolinas (e.g., Charlotte, Columbia, Charleston, Greenville) for the right candidate.

During the initial onboarding period, the individual in this role should expect to spend meaningful time in Greenville, SC, working alongside the Regional Director to gain exposure to Ajax's approach, processes, and culture. Ongoing periodic presence in Greenville will be required.

For individuals with demonstrated success leading teams and driving regional growth initiatives, there is potential for increased flexibility in both location and onboarding structure, along with broader leadership responsibility. Candidates at this level are expected to have prior experience leading teams and delivering business development performance.

This role requires travel as needed to support client development, internal collaboration, and regional growth initiatives.

Essential Functions:

• Partner with Regional Director to identify, pursue, and secure new business opportunities across multiple market sectors throughout the Carolinas.
• Lead, manage, and develop a team of Business Development Representatives across the region, driving accountability, performance, and growth.
• Mentor and support the professional development of team members, fostering a high-performing and collaborative culture.
• Collaborate with leadership to establish strategic targets, priorities, and growth goals for the region and individual team members.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with architects, owners, engineers, and key industry partners through consistent engagement and value-driven interactions.
• Develop and execute strategic approaches for targeted clients and pursuits by gathering market intelligence and aligning resources effectively.
• Protect and grow existing client relationships, ensuring a high level of service and repeat business.
• Partner with Marketing to support the development of proposals, presentations, and client-facing materials.
• Actively participate in Go/No-Go decision-making to ensure strategic allocation of resources.
• Lead and contribute to proposals, client presentations, and project pursuits.
• Provide input into firm-wide business development strategy and market positioning.
• Maintain a strong understanding of market conditions, emerging trends, and regional real estate activity.
• Represent the company through industry organizations, networking events, and community involvement.
• Track and evaluate the effectiveness of business development and marketing efforts, incorporating feedback to continuously improve outcomes.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date CRM data and pipeline reporting.
• Collaborate effectively with operations, preconstruction, and executive leadership across all levels of the organization.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 10 years of experience in business development and client relationship management within the AEC industry.
• Deep experience within commercial construction, architecture, or engineering, supported by a strong network of business relationships across the Carolinas.
• Proven track record of originating and closing work, expanding market presence, and developing long-term client relationships.
• Strong understanding of the construction process, including estimating, budgeting, value engineering, and key drivers of project profitability.
• Previous experience leading or managing teams, with a demonstrated ability to develop talent and drive performance, preferred.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a proactive, results-driven approach to business development.
• Highly effective communicator with strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance big-picture growth initiatives with day-to-day execution.
• Sound judgment and the ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

About Ajax:

Founded in 1958, Ajax Building Company is a leading commercial contractor delivering complex, high-impact projects across the Southeast. Our work spans healthcare, K–12, higher education, justice, municipal, mission critical, and other institutional markets—giving our teams the opportunity to build projects that truly impact the communities they serve.

At Ajax, you'll find a collaborative, team-oriented culture where your contributions are valued, backed by the strength and stability of STO Building Group's $15B global platform. As we continue to grow, our employees take on meaningful responsibility, gain exposure to diverse and challenging work, and have clear paths for career advancement.

Benefits:

The Company offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements: Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Health Savings Account, Healthcare Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, Life & AD&D Insurance, Long-term Disability Insurance, Short-term Disability insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance, Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Home & Auto Insurance, Family Support, Pre-tax Paid Parking/Public Transportation, Paid time off, Time Away Benefits, Paid Holidays, Group Legal, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Identity Theft Protection, Pet Insurance, Employee Assistance Program

EEO Statement:

The STO Building Group family of companies—Structure Tone, Structure Tone Southwest, Pavarini Construction Co., Pavarini McGovern, LF Driscoll, Govan Brown, Ajax Building Company, BCCI Construction, Layton Construction, Abbott Construction, and RC Andersen—includes over 4,000 employees located in offices throughout the US, Canada, UK, and Ireland. We provide a complete range of construction services, from site selection analysis, design constructability review and aesthetic enhancements to interior fit-outs, new building construction, and building infrastructure upgrades and modernization. Learn more about how we partner with our clients to imagine, execute, and realize their vision at stobuildinggroup.com.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.