Vice President of Business Development

The opportunity

Our client is an established commercial builder with a $40m business unit in Charleston and the ambition to reach $100m. They are hiring a Business Development Leader to own that growth plan and build the brand that supports it.

The Charleston and wider Lowcountry market is active across healthcare, hospitality, multifamily, education, industrial and corporate interiors. The successful candidate will decide where the business competes, win the work, and shape how the business is seen in the market.

This is a senior, visible role with direct access to leadership and real influence over strategy, sector focus and investment in people and marketing.

Key responsibilities

Growth strategy

• Build and own a 3–5 year plan to take the business unit from $40m to $100m
• Identify target sectors, clients and geographies across Charleston and the Southeast
• Set go/no-go criteria and focus pursuits on work with the right margin and risk profile
• Report pipeline, win rate and backlog to leadership on a regular cadence

Business development and client relationships

• Generate new opportunities with owners, developers, architects, engineers and property managers
• Grow repeat and negotiated work with existing clients
• Lead pursuits from early positioning through proposal, interview and contract award
• Partner with preconstruction and operations on pricing strategy, schedules and delivery approach
• Represent the business at industry bodies, networking events and community organisations

Marketing strategy

• Own the marketing strategy and annual plan, aligned to the growth targets
• Strengthen the brand and market position in commercial construction
• Oversee proposals, qualifications packages, case studies, website, social media and PR
• Track marketing spend and return against pipeline and wins

Leadership

• Build and lead a BD and marketing team as the business scales
• Embed CRM discipline and clear pipeline reporting
• Act as a senior ambassador for the company in Charleston

What success looks like

Indicative milestones; final targets and timeline to be agreed with the client.

First 90 days: Market and client review complete; growth and marketing plan signed off; CRM and pipeline reporting in place.

Year 1: Qualified pipeline built to support the growth target; improved win rate; refreshed brand and proposal materials.

Years 2–3: Consistent year-on-year revenue growth; new sectors or regions established; BD and marketing team in place.

Years 3–5: Business unit at $100m with healthy backlog, margin and repeat clients.

About you

Experience

• 10 years in business development within commercial construction, general contracting or a related field
• A proven record of growing revenue and pipeline in a business unit, region or sector
• Strong network across owners, developers, architects and engineers in Charleston, South Carolina or the Southeast
• Experience leading marketing strategy, or working closely with marketing to drive results
• Track record of leading pursuits through to contract award, including negotiated work

Skills

• Strategic planning and market analysis
• Relationship building and senior-level influencing
• Commercial awareness, including how pricing, risk and delivery affect a bid
• Clear presentation and proposal-writing skills
• Confident with CRM tools and pipeline reporting

Attributes

• Self-starter with drive and ambition to build something
• Collaborative with preconstruction and operations teams
• Visible and credible in the local business community

Desirable

• Degree in construction management, engineering, business or marketing
• Experience in one or more of healthcare, hospitality, education, multifamily or industrial