Business Development Lead, Freight Rail

Wilson & Company, Inc., Engineers and Architects•Kansas City, MO

2d•$75 - $82•Hybrid

About The Position

Wilson & Company is seeking a part-time Business Development Lead, Freight Rail as a client-facing role responsible for supporting relationships with freight rail customers, identifying service needs, coordinating internal support, and helping advance business opportunities across freight rail transportation, logistics, engineering, and related advisory services. This position serves as a trusted point of contact for selected clients and supports sustained revenue growth through responsive communication, industry knowledge, and disciplined follow-through.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience in freight rail, railroad operations, transportation planning, logistics, engineering, business development, client management, or a closely related field.
Strong understanding of freight rail industry stakeholders, including railroads, shippers, ports, industrial customers, public agencies, and economic development partners.
Proven ability to build and maintain professional relationships with senior-level client contacts and internal subject matter experts.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare concise meeting notes, client updates, and pursuit materials.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple client priorities on a part-time schedule.
Sound business judgment, discretion, and ability to handle confidential client and commercial information.
Comfort using common productivity, communication, and customer relationship management tools.

Nice To Haves

Existing relationships within the Class I, short line, industrial development, shipper, or freight rail consulting communities.
Experience supporting pursuits, proposals, account planning, or strategic client development.
Familiarity with rail infrastructure projects, intermodal operations, transload facilities, industrial site development, rail service design, or public funding programs.
Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, transportation, logistics, planning, or a related discipline; equivalent industry experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

Serve as a relationship strategist for assigned freight rail clients, maintaining regular communication and documenting client priorities, concerns, and opportunities.
Develop a working understanding of each client’s rail operations, transportation objectives, capital needs, service challenges, and decision-making process.
Coordinate with internal technical, operations, commercial, and leadership teams to align resources with client needs.
Support development of client account plans, pursuit strategies, meeting agendas, briefing notes, and follow-up action items. Identify potential opportunities for rail planning, engineering, operations support, grant assistance, project delivery, or related consulting services.
Assist with proposal strategy, scope development, client intelligence, and review of client-facing materials.
Monitor freight rail industry trends, shipper needs, railroad priorities, public funding opportunities, and market conditions that may affect assigned clients.
Represent Wilson & Company professionally in client meetings, industry associations, conferences, and networking settings. Track client interactions, opportunity status, commitments, and next steps using designated business development or customer relationship management tools.
Promote a client service culture focused on responsiveness, accuracy, confidentiality, and long-term partnership.