Project Development Manager - Industrial

The Project Development Manager is responsible for identifying, developing, and securing new business opportunities by building strong relationships with clients and key decision-makers in the industrial market. As the face of the company, you will drive pursuit efforts, support market strategy, and position the company for long-term success through proactive outreach and client engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with leadership to set annual, monthly, and weekly goals that support overall growth strategy.
• Serve as the initial point of contact for new relationships, ensuring responsive, clear, and helpful communication.
• Identify and shape future opportunities through networking, market research, and industry intelligence, targeting early-stage projects.
• Monitor market conditions, competitor activity, and emerging sectors to inform pursuit strategies and business decisions.
• Design and execute engagement plans that strengthen new and existing relationships, with consistent, meaningful follow-up.
• Qualify leads for fit with company goals, market plans, risk profile, geography, and capacity.
• Develop and own pursuit strategies that reflect client priorities and the firm’s differentiators.
• Apply structured qualification methods (e.g., MEDDIC) to understand metrics, decision-makers, criteria, and competition.
• Maintain regular, relationship-focused communication with clients from initial lead through award.
• Track and forecast all leads and pursuits, ensuring reliable visibility and cross-team coordination.
• Keep preconstruction, marketing, and operations teams informed on opportunity status, client priorities, and upcoming needs.
• Use client and market feedback to refine pursuit strategies and strengthen positioning.
• Partner with marketing to develop tailored proposals, presentations, and interview materials.
• Prepare leadership for go/no-go decisions by presenting opportunity fit, risks, and recommended strategy.
• Actively expand your network, seek new information, and anticipate market needs without waiting for direction.
• Communicate with clarity and confidence, tailoring messages to external partners and internal stakeholders.
• Navigate obstacles with determination and adaptability, maintaining a positive, solution-oriented approach.
• Read people and situations accurately, responding with tact and professionalism in high-stakes interactions.
• Manage multiple pursuits and relationships simultaneously, maintaining documentation, CRM updates, and timely follow-up.
• Represent the company with poise and credibility in all client-facing settings.
• Maintain high standards of quality, accuracy, and thoughtfulness in all deliverables and interactions.
• Participate in AEC and industry organizations, as well as local and regional networking events, to gather market data.
• Support select national growth initiatives and attend relevant conferences and expos.
• Attend face-to-face client meetings, engaging internal technical experts as needed.

Requirements:

• 7+ years of experience in industrial construction OR development
• Design-build construction knowledge preferred
• Network in the industrial space including: brokers, architects, end-users, developers,
• Industrial development dynamics (spec vs. build-to-suit, tenant improvement needs, transportation/logistics)
• Site selection drivers (labor, incentives, infrastructure) and basic understanding of capital markets and developer financing
• Bonus: Understanding of manufacturing flow, utilities, and process planning
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Proven ability to build and grow client relationships and convert opportunities into awarded work
• Ability to influence senior-level stakeholders and decision-makers
• Professional, confident, and friendly presence in client-facing situations
• Proactive, prepared, and organized, with an outgoing and positive personality
• Confident without arrogance; seen as a value-creating partner