Business Development Executive, Data Center Markets

Upchurch•Remote,

About The Position

Upchurch is seeking a Business Development Executive to grow its data center mechanical business with general contractors and owners across an assigned Southern U.S. market. This individual-contributor role is suited to a technically knowledgeable construction professional who understands how data center mechanical work is bid, purchased, and delivered, and who has established relationships with GC preconstruction managers, project managers, and owner-side construction teams. The role focuses on keeping Upchurch visible on strategic projects, developing relationships, tracking market opportunities, securing bid invitations, and partnering with Estimating and Preconstruction to produce proposals. The executive will own pursuits for colocation fit-outs, phased expansions, and liquid cooling upgrades, and support executive-led pursuits for large hyperscale and campus programs. Responsibilities also include developing key accounts, maintaining the opportunity pipeline and market intelligence, and supporting customer relationships through project delivery.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and industry experience.
At least 7 years of experience in commercial or industrial mechanical construction.
Experience in project management, estimating, preconstruction, operations, or business development.
At least 3 years supporting data center or other mission-critical construction projects.
Existing relationships with GC preconstruction and project teams in a Southern U.S. data center market.
Ability to read mechanical drawings, specifications, and schedules and understand pricing drivers.
Knowledge of data center mechanical systems, including chilled water plants, air-cooled chillers, CRAH/fan wall systems, liquid cooling systems, CDUs, heat rejection systems, and hydronic/process piping.
Knowledge of construction contracts, procurement methods, and commercial risk.
Willingness to travel approximately 40%.

Nice To Haves

Experience with a self-performing mechanical contractor.
Background in estimating or preconstruction.
Experience with hyperscale or colocation projects, including fit-outs, expansions, retrofits, and liquid cooling deployments.
Familiarity with CRM platforms and project lead services.
Active participation in organizations such as 7x24 Exchange, AFCOM, ASHRAE, ABC, or AGC.
Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship management skills.

Responsibilities

Cultivate relationships with preconstruction managers, estimators, buyers, project managers, and superintendents at leading general contractors.
Develop connections with data center owners, developers, and facility leadership across the assigned market.
Engage MEP engineers, equipment manufacturers, and manufacturer’s representatives to gain early project insights.
Represent Upchurch at customer meetings, industry events, conferences, and association functions.
Identify upcoming data center projects, expansions, fit-outs, and retrofit opportunities within the territory.
Secure bid invitations and maintain prequalification status with target clients.
Assess opportunities for alignment with project criteria, scheduling, labor, commercial terms, and profitability.
Collect market intelligence about stakeholders, budgets, schedules, competition, and client priorities.
Maintain a robust pipeline of qualified opportunities and future projects.
Collaborate with Estimating and Preconstruction teams on pursuit strategies and competitive proposals.
Assist with scope reviews, proposal qualifications, exclusions, pricing strategies, and customer presentations.
Lead post-bid follow-up, scope-leveling meetings, and negotiations for assigned projects.
Manage pursuits for colocation fit-outs, campus expansions, retrofits, and liquid cooling upgrades.
Support executive-led pursuits for large hyperscale and mission-critical programs.
Facilitate handoffs from business development to project execution teams.
Maintain customer relationships during project delivery to identify future phases, change orders, and growth opportunities.
Introduce customers to Upchurch’s service and maintenance capabilities and support customer retention and repeat business.
Keep CRM records accurate and current for contacts, opportunities, forecasts, and bid activities.
Track bid invitations, proposal submissions, win rates, and lessons learned.
Share insights on competitors, labor market conditions, pricing trends, and emerging project opportunities.
Support forecasting and strategic planning through disciplined pipeline management.