Business Development Manager - Automation & Intelligence

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the creation and execution of business development strategies targeting large municipalities and consulting engineers involved in water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
• Identify emerging opportunities, including those in regulatory compliance, sustainability initiatives, and digital transformation efforts in water management.
• Provide strategic technical consultation to municipalities and consulting engineers by identifying operational challenges and proposing tailored automation and intelligence solutions.
• Leverage deep knowledge of process instrumentation, SCADA systems, and AI-powered data analytics to design innovative, scalable systems that optimize water and wastewater operations.
• Cultivate relationships with key decision-makers at engineering firms, municipal utilities, and government entities.
• Foster a deep understanding of customer pain points, goals, and project timelines, positioning the company as a trusted partner and thought leader in automation.
• Maintain long-term, value-driven relationships to secure ongoing business and referrals.
• Collaborate with consulting engineers, project managers, and technical teams to align sales strategies with project requirements from needs assessment through deployment.
• Help guide clients through project lifecycle stages, ensuring successful deployment and integration of automation and AI solutions.
• Monitor market trends, technological advancements, and industry standards related to automation, water management, and AI analytics.
• Analyze competitor activities and identify market gaps for business growth.
• Provide insights to the executive team regarding market opportunities and competitive positioning.
• Generate detailed, technical proposals in collaboration with internal teams, defining solution architecture, scope, and costs.
• Negotiate contractual terms and conditions to meet client needs and company objectives.
• Develop and manage strategic partnerships with consulting engineers, industry organizations, and third-party vendors.
• Drive revenue growth by identifying and closing large-scale, multi-phase projects, and track KPIs including sales pipeline, revenue, and customer satisfaction.
• Work cross-functionally with product development, marketing, engineering, and operations to align customer solutions with company capabilities.
• Represent the company at industry conferences, webinars, and technical forums to position as a thought leader in automation and AI within water and wastewater sectors.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related technical field (Master's degree or MBA is a plus).
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in business development, sales, or consulting within the industrial automation, water/wastewater, or infrastructure sectors.
• Experience working with large municipalities and consulting engineering firms is strongly preferred.
• In-depth technical knowledge of automation systems, process instrumentation, SCADA architecture, PLCs, control systems, and data analytics in water/wastewater management.
• Proven ability to design and propose customized, technically complex solutions for large municipalities and engineering consultants.
• Strong network within the water/wastewater sector, including relationships with municipal leaders, utility managers, engineering firms, and vendors.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills for engaging both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Success in managing long sales cycles, large project portfolios, and complex stakeholder negotiations.
• Experience managing CRM tools (e.g., Oracle NetSuite) and sales enablement software.
• Preferred technical knowledge includes understanding of water and wastewater treatment processes, instrumentation, control systems, cybersecurity, regulatory standards, and trends toward digitalization.
• Proficiency in AI, machine learning, and data analytics applications for predictive maintenance and operational efficiency.

Nice to Have

• Extensive understanding of water and wastewater treatment processes, including instrumentation and control systems.
• Familiarity with regulatory standards in water management and environmental compliance.
• Knowledge of digitalization trends and smart infrastructure in water management.
• Proficiency in AI, machine learning, and data analytics applications for operational optimization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related technical field
• 7+ years of experience in business development, sales, or consulting in relevant sectors

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive Salary
• Full Benefits Package
• Flexible paid time off as needed