What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal, Business Development position at American Water?
Job Description
Job Title: Principal, Business Development
Posting Start Date: 5/28/26
Job Description:
Location
- This role can sit anywhere within the state of Pennsylvania.
Primary Role
- Responsible for the development of new business opportunities specifically focused on water and wastewater system acquisitions. This includes working with municipal and privately owned water and wastewater owners to discuss and educate on the acquisition benefits and process and working with and directing consultants that have targeted opportunities.
Key Accountabilities
- Assist in building the business development pipeline and identifying opportunities to maintain a steady flow of projects and plans for securing those in line with the business plan. Identify, qualify and prioritize leads through the use of appropriate tools, local market data and active targeted prospecting.
- Prepare informational material and communication drafts and support the external affairs manager in development of marketing materials which support business development opportunities. Updates the business development plan and assesses risks to commitments for securing sustainable business growth.
- Manage the end-to-end business development cycle for less complex service offerings, coordinates and at times manages multifunction deal team in preparation of acquisition proposals and presentations. Assist with asset valuation studies and financial analysis and operational viability studies of targeted opportunities with appropriate departments.
- Create market awareness and interest in American Water, develop and maintain American Water brand image with the key industry stakeholders within the designated territory, attend municipal and public meetings as required, plans and staffs trade shows and industry events.
- Evaluate new and emerging technologies, regulatory changes, and other relevant factors in order to assist in the identification of new business opportunities.
Knowledge/Skills
- Infrastructure experience preferably within the water/waste-water utility sector
- Financial and commercial acumen.
- Legal aspects of the regulatory environment.
- Strong oral and written communication skills (presentation skills: fluency, report writing).
- Interpersonal skills, (e.g., persuasion negotiation, cooperation, diplomacy).
- Strong financial and legal acumen, or the ability to learn
- Critical thinking, adaptability, have a strong work ethic, possess leadership skills yet are a collaborative team player
- Microsoft Office Suite (MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel), Salesforce knowledge benefitial
- Ability to quickly adapt to professional collaborative environments, deal with ambiguity, take initiative, and achieve results
Travel Requirements
- Up to 25%, as required
Experience/Education
- Bachelor Degree required (Engineering, Science, Business, Finance or Marketing preferred). Advanced Degree preferred but not required.
- 12 years of work experience of which 6 to 8 years in the business development function, including significant experience working with municipal officials.
- Sound knowledge of the water industry is strongly preferred.
Key Relationships
- State President and leadership team
- Regional Business Development Director
- Bid support team
- Functional experts: Operations, HR, Legal, Finance, Business Developers within & across the Company
- VP, Business Development
- Various external community and business leaders
Competencies
Champions safety
Customer obsessed
Cultivates innovation
Collaborates
Drives Results
Nimble learning