Business Development Associate

About Us

Bernhard's core mission is delivering innovative engineering, construction, and energy solutions that empower our clients and promote a sustainable future. Bernhard is comprised of four divisions: Mechanical, Electrical, Engineering, and Development, each with a distinct identity and service offerings. The intersection of our capabilities enables Bernhard to provide turnkey Energy-as-a-Service ("EaaS") solutions to our clients. At the same time, our divisions continue working in the market sectors and communities that the Company has traditionally served. Bernhard's vision is to be the leading EaaS provider in North America through the delivery of excellent, high-value service and innovative solutions for our clients.

Overview

The Business Development Associate is responsible for building sales by contacting and building relationships with new and existing clients, developing prospective clients, arranging/attending introductory meetings, preparing proposals/presentations. These duties may be performed independently or as assistance to Bernhard salespersons or account managers.

Responsibilities

• Builds and maintains strategic relationships with existing and new clients.

• Researches and gathers information on clients, potential clients, project opportunities, utility programs, and targeted markets to obtain leads. Identifies key potential client decision makers.

• Researches financial, industry, and competitor trends.

• Understands a customer's needs and goals, plans how to meet these needs. Develops and implements strategic plans to meet the client's goals, ensuring the customer is aware of all service offerings.

• Develops and maintains relationships with Bernhard's delivery team to ensure successful project delivery.

• Handoff projects to Project Managers upon award. Participates in client kickoff meetings.

• Executes or assists with all aspects of fee proposals, qualification packages, and RFP/RFQ responses. Participates in interviews and related sales activities.

• Gathers needed information from Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to support writing activities. Translates technical subject matter into easily understandable content.

• Reads and dissects RFPs, RFQs, amendments/modifications, and other solicitation documents to develop response outlines according to requirements to ensure proposal compliance.

• Ensures optimal organization, presentation, and articulation of solution or qualifications in the proposal or qual pack and oversees incorporation of key messaging that clarifies the strengths of Bernhard's offer, including any differentiators.

• Reviews proposal content for clarity, consistency, and responsiveness to RFP/RFQ requirements.

• Performs proofreading and editing to ensure clarity, punctuation, grammar, and spelling.

• Tracks and maintains business development activities client contact database in Cosential/Unanet CRM. This includes client contact database, sales activities (calls/emails/meetings/other), lead tracking, opportunity tracking, sales forecasts, and proposal status tracking.

• Participates in lunch or after-hours networking opportunities at local/regional/national industry organization events such as ASHE, ASHRAE, AEE, IFMA, BOMA.

• Works closely with Sales team, Account Managers, and VP of Business Development.

• Follows established sales processes and takes direction from senior leadership.

Qualifications

Required Education, Experience, and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Engineering, Finance or related field.

• 3+ years' experience in the architectural, engineering, construction, or real estate industry

• 3+ years' of demonstrated business development or client relationship experience

• Excellent written communication skills and attention to detail

Preferred Education, Experience, and Qualifications

• Industry background. Ability to read/interpret RFPs with respect to alignment with Bernhard's core skills and service offerings.

• Previous relationships and HVAC/facilities industry contacts that directly translate to sales leads are a plus.

• Controls Background. A basic understanding of building automation and control systems and the ability to read/interpret controls diagrams and submittals is a plus.

• Mechanical background. A basic understanding of building mechanical/HVAC systems and the ability to read/interpret mechanical blueprints is a plus.

Bernhard is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Women, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities, and participates in the E-Verify program. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other classification protected by law.

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Job Locations US

ID 2024-1855

Category Marketing/Bus Development

Position Type Full-Time

Remote Yes