Our Client is seeking a senior business development leader to drive growth in MEP opportunities across the U.S. advanced manufacturing and mission-critical data center markets. Each leader will originate and advance major opportunities, strengthen executive-level relationships with owners and contracting partners, and help shape Client's commercial and delivery strategy for MEP-intensive work.
MEP Business Development Senior Director — DHD Consulting | Tahoe AI
The successful candidate will bring deep market credibility, a demonstrated industry network, and experience leading complex pursuits from early positioning through award. The role will partner closely with executive leadership, Operations, Preconstruction, Estimating, and Licensing to pursue profitable growth that is aligned with Client's execution capabilities and risk profile.
Responsibilities
1. Market Strategy and Opportunity Development
Develop and lead Client's MEP growth strategy for advanced manufacturing markets, including semiconductor, battery, automotive, chemical, and other high-tech industrial facilities, as well as mission-critical data centers.
Build, maintain, and manage a qualified pipeline of MEP opportunities using established relationships with owners, developers, EPC firms, general contractors, design partners, and other key decision-makers.
Identify priority clients, markets, geographies, and strategic pursuits based on revenue potential, margin expectations, competitive position, execution readiness, and risk.
Provide reliable pipeline forecasting, market intelligence, and competitive insights to executive leadership.
2. Client and Industry Relationship Leadership
Develop and maintain executive-level relationships with existing and prospective clients, contracting partners, and industry influencers.
Represent Client in client meetings, industry events, conferences, and strategic partnership discussions.
Position Client early in the project lifecycle and create opportunities for negotiated, design-build, and strategically teamed work.
3. Pursuit and Preconstruction Leadership
Lead capture planning and pursuit strategy for priority MEP opportunities, including positioning, teaming, proposal strategy, and client engagement.
Partner with Preconstruction and Estimating to develop scope, pricing approach, value proposition, and win strategy.
Lead or support commercial presentations, negotiations, and executive-level client discussions through award.
Lead go/no-go recommendations in coordination with executive, Operations, and Preconstruction leadership, considering margin, contract risk, resources, licensing, and execution capability.
4. Delivery Strategy and Capability Development
Collaborate with Operations, Preconstruction, and Licensing to evaluate appropriate delivery models, including self-perform execution, licensed subcontractor structures, and joint venture or strategic partnership arrangements.
Ensure business development commitments are aligned with operational capacity, licensing requirements, contractual risk, and delivery readiness.
Support new-market and new-state entry planning by aligning client opportunities with operational, licensing, and resource requirements.
Contribute to the development of the people, partnerships, systems, and capabilities needed to scale Client's MEP business.
Responsibilities
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5. Leadership and Business Performance
Provide executive leadership with regular reporting on pipeline health, pursuit status, forecasted awards, key risks, market developments, and growth opportunities.
Drive profitable growth and maintain disciplined opportunity management, commercial judgment, and accountability throughout the business development lifecycle.
Build and lead an MEP business development team as the business scales, subject to organizational needs and approved growth plans.
Perform additional leadership responsibilities consistent with the final Senior Director or Vice President level of the position.
Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, construction management, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
12+ years of relevant industry experience for Senior Director-level consideration; 15+ years preferred for Vice President-level consideration.
Leadership experience with a leading industrial general contractor, EPC firm, or mechanical/MEP contractor.
Demonstrated success originating, positioning, or leading pursuits for large-scale advanced manufacturing, high-tech industrial, or mission-critical data center projects.
Experience working across business development, preconstruction, estimating, operations, or commercial strategy in a complex construction environment.
Required Qualifications
Established senior-level relationships with owners, developers, EPC firms, general contractors, and other decision-makers in the target markets.
Demonstrated ability to originate opportunities and convert relationships and market intelligence into a qualified pipeline and awarded work.
Strong commercial judgment, including an understanding of pricing, margin, contract risk, delivery constraints, and go/no-go decision factors.
Executive-level communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-management skills.
Ability to operate cross-functionally and influence executive, operational, technical, and external stakeholders.
Business-owner mindset with sound judgment, accountability, and the ability to build capabilities in a growing organization.
Nice to have
Experience with design-build, design-assist, negotiated, or other collaborative delivery models.
Experience evaluating or structuring MEP delivery models involving self-perform work, subcontractors, joint ventures, or strategic partnerships.
Experience supporting geographic expansion, new-market entry, or the launch and scaling of a new business line.
Working knowledge of licensing, labor, procurement, scheduling, and operational considerations affecting multi-state MEP delivery.
Other Requirements
Ability and willingness to travel frequently for client meetings, project visits, internal planning, and industry events.
Ability to work from or maintain regular access to one of the identified office locations, subject to final agreement with Client.
