Business Development Relationship Manager

Business Development Relationship Manager Business Development The Woodlands , TX Direct Hire Aug 6, 2026 The Business Development Account Manager position will be based in The Woodlands, TX, and is responsible for new business development for HGA and for strategically supporting existing clients to build and strengthen relationships. This role requires a strong understanding of project management principles and the full capital project lifecycle — from project identification and Front-End Loading (FEL) through detailed engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and startup — in order to align client objectives with project development strategies and position HGA's services at the right stage-gate to maximize business growth. The ideal candidate will build relationships with executive leadership, project sponsors, engineering teams, and operations personnel within the midstream, pipeline, compression, gas treating, and broader energy infrastructure markets.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop relationships with project sponsors, engineering managers, operations leaders, and capital project teams to identify and pursue opportunities across the full project lifecycle. Apply knowledge of Front-End Loading (FEL) methodology — including FEL-1 (Concept Development), FEL-2 (Scope Definition), and FEL-3 (Project Definition) — to identify and position opportunities during capital project planning phases. Identify opportunities early in project development by understanding client stage-gate requirements, funding milestones, risk assessment activities, and decision-making criteria. Collaborate with engineering, project management, survey, and right-of-way teams to position HGA's services during early project planning activities. Support clients in developing project execution strategies for pipeline systems, compression facilities, gas treating facilities, gathering systems, and related midstream infrastructure. Leverage knowledge of project development and governance processes to identify upcoming capital investments and position HGA's service offerings ahead of formal procurement and bidding activities. Partner with project teams to understand scope, schedule, cost, resource requirements, and stakeholder expectations throughout project development and execution. Apply working knowledge of project controls, budgeting, risk management, and stage-gate approvals to engage clients in meaningful business discussions and uncover future opportunities. Contribute to strategic capture plans by evaluating project drivers, business objectives, capital authorization processes, and delivery schedules. Identify and report client issues that need addressing, and evaluate client needs to offer relevant solutions and assessments. Utilize third-party resources — contractors, suppliers, engineering firms, and service firms — to support solicitation of business and gathering of information for lead pursuit. Develop and pursue sales leads through cold calling, networking, trade shows, and industry publications; follow up on all incoming inquiries. Prepare and present technical sales presentations to potential clients. Assist with proposal budget review, proposal development, presentations, and negotiations; coordinate proposal development activities. Participate in senior management meetings to provide market knowledge and strategy input. Identify advertising, sales promotion, and public relations needs to support business development efforts. Perform other duties and activities as assigned by the Manager.

REQUIREMENTS

Education and/or Experience Bachelor's Degree in business, science, or a related discipline; or Associate's Degree with related experience preferred. 5+ years of business development experience required; engineering consulting experience strongly preferred. Demonstrated experience developing strategic relationships and identifying growth opportunities within the energy and industrial sectors. Working knowledge of capital project lifecycles and stage-gate/FEL processes strongly preferred. Experience working both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment. Experience with budgeting processes. Proficient in MS Windows, Outlook, Excel, and Word; proficiency with LinkedIn and other social media platforms a plus. Willingness to travel. Established business development contacts in the midstream oil & gas, specialty chemical, and renewables industries in the Greater Houston area required. Candidates must be based in the Houston, TX area to be considered. Skills & Abilities Ability to translate technical project knowledge (FEL phases, stage-gate milestones, project controls) into client-facing business development strategy. Ability to build credibility and trust with both executive-level decision makers and technical/engineering stakeholders. Self-starter with strong written and oral communication, interpersonal, leadership, and presentation skills. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and negotiation skills; ability to influence and persuade to achieve desired outcomes. Ability to prioritize and execute effectively under pressure and shifting timelines. Capability to research client and project-related issues, and to learn and apply new technologies. Ability to identify and meet client expectations, and to grow relationships strategically within an account. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled #J-18808-Ljbffr Hunt, Guillot & Associates LLC