Business Development Manger

Cordia•Minneapolis, MN

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Cordia is seeking a Business Development Manager to identify, propose, and contract with new district energy customers. This role will also be responsible for customer success, customer lifecycle management, and contract renewals for Cordia's downtown Minneapolis system. Reporting to the Director of Customer Success, this position will focus on building strong, long-term relationships with community stakeholders, including economic development and governmental organizations, community leaders, commercial developers, architects, engineers, contractors, and existing district energy customers.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, real estate, industrial construction or related field.
5 or more years related experience.
Ability to work with various customer industries including hotel, medical, educational, commercial real estate, residential properties, and public-use buildings.
Proven track record of developing and closing new customer sales.
Strong negotiating skills and superior interpersonal skills.
Knowledge of governmental, legal, and environmental regulations as well as community and political implications that impact new business development.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to write proposals and give presentations appropriate for various organizational levels as well as ability to effectively perform within a matrix organizational environment.
Strong business and financial savvy with the ability to support a high-performance organization that will deliver operational excellence and meet or exceed financial targets.
Proven planning and organizational skills.
Use discretion concerning confidential and sensitive company information.
Team player; able to work with all levels of the organization.
Successful candidate should be strong user of MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
Have an aptitude to navigate proprietary database programs maintained by the company as well as a strong user of CRM systems.
Ability to travel across Greater Minneapolis / St. Paul with occasional travel to other company locations nationwide or prospective cities and to various professional meetings.
Requires operation of a motor vehicle; Valid State Driver’s License.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the energy or industrial / commercial construction related industry preferred.
Display a basic understanding of building heating, air conditioning and ventilating systems.
Knowledge of industry technology and policy trends related to sustainability and decarbonization.
Knowledge of buildings, customers, or developers in target markets is beneficial.
Candidates are encouraged to apply even if they do not meet every preferred qualification.

Responsibilities

Maintaining strong customer relationships with all current customers and managing customer health.
Establishing relationships with building owners and operators, developers, engineering and architectural firms, and government agencies to identify early phase project development opportunities.
Establishing business relationships with existing customers and developing working relationships, continuing to educate them on the benefits of district heating and cooling, and resolving any business issues.
Profitably selling energy solutions, offerings, and services to targeted end-use markets.
Identifying and qualifying sales prospects, including cold calling, making effective presentations, and closing sales within an acceptable time frame.
Building and maintaining a customer pipeline; eliminating unviable candidates.
Maintaining an accurate and timely forecast that is kept up to date as the opportunity progresses through the sales cycle.
Performing energy and economic analysis, pricing and proposal preparation and presentations.
Leading negotiations with clients, including preparation of contracts and possible structuring of financing solutions.
Creating client proposals demonstrating the economic and operating value propositions of the company.
Giving or coordinating presentations to individuals and groups of decision makers on the advantages of partnering with the company.
Managing the entire development process from project identification, proposal, gaining client and internal approvals, engineering design, contracting structure, legal contracts, and finally through construction and operation.
Identifying, implementing, and managing marketing strategy to develop brand awareness and increase opportunities.
Actively seeking out and recommending new products and services that increase profitability of existing and new customers.
Developing and executing customer outreach functions.
Participating in various community, municipal, professional, and social organizations for the purpose of building relevant relationships and promoting company goals and objectives.
Providing excellence in customer service; supervising customer service and technical support staff, as needed.