What are the responsibilities and job description for the Business Development & Account Manager – Higher Ed. Institutions position at Energy Efficient Investments, Inc.?
Business Development & Account Manager – Higher Ed. Institutions
Job Location: Throughout Massachusetts (Offices in W. Springfield and Canton)
Company Locations: West Springfield, MA · Canton, MA · Merrimack, NH · Williston, VT · Portland, ME
About Energy Efficient Investments, Inc. (EEI)
Energy Efficient Investments, Inc. (EEI) is New England's ESCO, specializing in the development, design, financing, and implementation of comprehensive energy efficiency, infrastructure modernization, and Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) solutions throughout New England.
As EEI continues to expand its presence within higher education, independent schools, healthcare systems, research institutions, and other institutional markets, we are seeking an experienced Business Development & Account Manager to build long-term relationships with decision-makers responsible for campus facilities, finance, sustainability, deferred maintenance, and capital planning.
Our comprehensive Energy-as-a-Service and Energy Performance Contracting solutions provide institutions with innovative alternatives to traditional capital funding by reducing operating costs, modernizing aging infrastructure, improving resiliency, enhancing occupant comfort, and advancing sustainability goals—all while minimizing upfront capital expenditures.
The ideal candidate will become a trusted advisor to institutional clients, helping them identify long-term facility improvement opportunities while developing strategic partnerships that extend well beyond a single project.
Position Overview
The Business Development & Account Manager is responsible for developing new higher education business opportunities while maintaining and expanding relationships with existing clients throughout New England.
This role combines strategic business development, consultative sales, account management, and project development coordination. The successful candidate will identify opportunities, educate prospective clients, coordinate internal resources, support project development, and remain actively engaged throughout project delivery to ensure exceptional customer satisfaction and long-term client retention.
Rather than selling individual construction projects, this position develops long-term strategic partnerships that help universities and institutions improve facilities, reduce operating costs, enhance sustainability, and plan future capital investments.
Key Responsibilities
Business Development
- Develop new business opportunities throughout the higher education marketplace, including public and private universities, colleges and other higher education institutions.
- Build relationships with university presidents, vice presidents, CFOs, facilities directors, sustainability officers, procurement officials, and governing boards.
- Identify opportunities for Energy-as-a-Service, Energy Performance Contracting, decarbonization, infrastructure modernization, renewable energy, deferred maintenance, and facility resiliency projects.
- Develop and execute strategic account plans for targeted institutions.
- Represent EEI at industry conferences, association meetings, and networking events.
- Develop and maintain a robust sales pipeline.
Account Management
- Serve as the primary relationship manager for assigned institutional clients.
- Develop trusted advisor relationships with executive leadership and facilities personnel.
- Maintain regular communication with customers throughout project development, construction, and post-project support.
- Identify future phases of work and additional opportunities within existing accounts.
- Monitor customer satisfaction and resolve concerns proactively.
Project Development
- Coordinate with EEI's engineering, preconstruction, estimating, and operations teams during project development.
- Participate in facility walkthroughs, preliminary assessments, and customer planning meetings.
- Assist in developing conceptual project scopes, preliminary budgets, financial analyses, and implementation strategies.
- Support preparation of proposals, presentations, energy audits, and investment-grade analyses.
- Ensure customer objectives are clearly communicated to internal project teams.
Strategic Consulting
- Educate institutional clients regarding funding alternatives, Energy-as-a-Service, Energy Performance Contracting, grants, rebates, tax incentives, and financing strategies.
- Assist customers with long-term capital planning and campus energy master planning.
- Provide guidance regarding decarbonization initiatives, carbon reduction strategies, electrification, building modernization, and sustainability initiatives.
Internal Collaboration
- Work closely with Project Development, Engineering, Preconstruction, Operations, and Executive Leadership.
- Support proposal development, customer presentations, and contract negotiations.
- Maintain accurate CRM records, sales forecasts, and account activity.
- Communicate customer expectations throughout project development and execution.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Construction Management, Architecture, Marketing, or related field preferred.
- Five or more years of business development, account management, institutional sales, or ESCO experience.
- Experience working with universities, colleges, or other institutional clients..
Skills & Competencies
- Exceptional relationship-building and consultative selling skills.
- Strong understanding of capital planning, facility operations, energy efficiency, and infrastructure projects.
- Ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership and technical personnel.
- Excellent presentation, proposal writing, and communication skills.
- Strong organizational and time management abilities.
- Self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple long-term client relationships simultaneously.
Preferred Knowledge
- Energy Performance Contracting (EPC)
- Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS)
- Building decarbonization
- HVAC, electrical, controls, lighting, and renewable energy systems
- Utility incentive programs
- Higher education procurement
- Campus master planning
Licenses & Credentials
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel throughout New England (approximately 45%).
- CEM, PE, MBA, LEED AP, CMVP, or similar professional credentials are a plus.
- Ability to pass background investigations required for institutional clients.
Benefits
- Competitive salary with performance-based incentives
- Health, dental, life, and disability insurance
- 401(k) with employer profit sharing
- Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Professional development and certification support
Equal Opportunity Employer
Energy Efficient Investments, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, or any other protected classification.