Business Development Specialist

Who We Are:

For more than 60 years, Bennett & Pless has been a growing leader in structural engineering, delivering specialized expertise across the markets we serve. We have been nominated 9 consecutive years as a best firm to work for and have offices in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chattanooga, Dallas, Knoxville, Loudoun, Nashville, Orlando, Raleigh, and Sarasota. Our projects range in scope from simple site inspections to the design of new facilities, and we work at each stage – feasibility studies, conceptual design, detailed design, and construction administration. Together, our 10 offices have created an energized engineering powerhouse offering enhanced capabilities to our ever-growing client base.

What You Will Do:

We have an opportunity for a Business Development Specialist to support and drive growth within assigned regional markets. This role is responsible for identifying, developing, and securing new business opportunities while building strong relationships with clients, industry partners, and internal stakeholders. The Business Development Specialist will execute a targeted business development strategy aligned with firm goals and help position Bennett & Pless as a trusted structural engineering partner across commercial and strategic growth sectors.

Responsibilities:

Market Development & Strategy

• Execute a targeted regional business development strategy aligned with firm goals.
• Develop a strong understanding of assigned regional markets, including current and emerging opportunities.
• Review and analyze market intelligence to identify potential leads, clients, and growth areas.
• Collaborate with Regional Leaders, Department Managers, Market Sector Leaders, and Marketing to align local market efforts with firm-wide initiatives.

Client & Industry Engagement

• Build, maintain, and evolve strong relationships with developers, architects, contractors, and other key industry stakeholders.
• Establish and sustain a robust network of industry and market partners, including firms across the AEC industry.
• Represent Bennett & Pless at approved industry events, conferences, and networking forums within the assigned region.
• Connect and introduce appropriate Bennett & Pless technical and leadership resources to partners and prospective clients at the right time.
• Assist in enhancing the firm’s brand visibility and positioning Bennett & Pless as a trusted advisor for structural engineering solutions in the region.

Lead, Opportunity & Proposal Support

• Identify and develop qualified leads and business opportunities with new and existing clients.
• Maintain and manage a project pipeline of leads and future opportunities.
• Position technical teams with clients to secure proposal and bid opportunities; technical teams will lead proposal preparation.
• Collaborate with local leadership to ensure a smooth handoff from lead and opportunity development to proposal execution.
• Track proposal outcomes, including wins and losses, to inform and refine future business strategies.

Performance Tracking & Reporting

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in the firm’s CRM system for leads, opportunities, and pursuits.
• Provide regular updates to leadership on pipeline activity, opportunities, and outcomes.
• Prepare monthly progress reports outlining leads, opportunities, proposal activity, and client engagement.
• Establish measurable goals for revenue growth, client acquisition, and market penetration in collaboration with leadership.
• Ensure all contacts, client information, and business development data are documented and maintained according to company standards.

What We Are Looking For:

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or a related field; relevant experience may be substituted for a degree.
• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant business development experience.
• Previous experience in the A/E/C or related industry preferred.
• Established involvement in the regional market with an existing network of relevant partners and potential clients.
• Experience supporting proposal positioning and pursuit strategies in collaboration with technical teams.

Skills and Competencies:

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to represent the firm externally.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining consistent communication with leaders and stakeholders.
• Strong critical thinking, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel within state and periodic out of state travel.
• Flexibility to attend events and meetings outside of normal business hours as needed.

What We Offer:

At Bennett & Pless, our vision is to be a place where employees thrive. We’re a growing firm committed to empowering employees without sacrificing work/life balance. Our culture is the center of making us who we are and it’s our priority to make employees feel accepted and valued.

As a firm, we are highly supportive of the development of our employees. Every year, we kick off Career Development Planning where employees create tailored development goals. Goals are regularly assessed throughout the year to allow employees to advance towards their career growth objectives. We also have monthly Bennett and Pless learning sessions where our senior Engineers and Specialists share their knowledge on a broad variety of subjects.

We have an employee-focused benefits package that includes:

• Company-paid medical, dental and vision coverage for the employee
• Health savings and flex spending accounts
• Group short-term & long-term disability; life and a&d insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement program
• 401(k) matching
• Monthly wellness allowance
• Paid time off & paid holidays
• Flexible schedules, including summer hours
• Company retreat

If you are interested in a place where you can thrive and make a career at Bennett & Pless, come join our unique culture!

Bennett & Pless is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment and we prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.