Fire Detection Business Development Manager, West

Johnson Controls•Arlington Heights, IL

1d•Remote

About The Position

Johnson Controls helps create smarter, healthier, and more sustainable buildings through fire protection, life safety, and integrated building technologies that support customer outcomes and safer environments. In this role, you will drive demand and specification activity for Johnson Controls Fire Detection solutions across the Western United States. You will build trusted relationships with consultants, architects, engineers, end users, contractors, developers, and strategic partners to influence design decisions, grow market presence, and support major project opportunities across key vertical markets. This is a strategic, consultative sales role focused on creating demand at the design and specification stage. You will combine technical fire detection expertise with strong relationship management to position Johnson Controls solutions early in the project lifecycle and help move qualified opportunities from specification through award.

Requirements

7+ years of experience in fire detection, fire alarm systems, life safety systems, or related technical sales/business development roles.
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Marketing, Fire Protection Engineering, or a related field preferred. Equivalent industry experience will be considered.
Strong knowledge of fire detection systems, fire alarm technologies, and applicable industry codes and standards.
Experience influencing specifications and working with consultants, architects, engineers, contractors, and end users.
Proven success in business development, demand creation, and strategic account management.
Excellent presentation, communication, and relationship-building skills with the ability to engage audiences from engineering teams to executive leadership.
Strong technical aptitude and ability to represent Johnson Controls Fire Detection technologies at a high level.
Ability to travel extensively throughout the West Coast territory.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of NFPA, IBC, IFC, and other applicable fire and life safety regulations.
Experience supporting critical infrastructure, healthcare, higher education, data centers, airports, or other complex vertical markets.
Established network within the consulting engineer and fire protection engineering community.
Experience with specification-driven sales processes and major project pursuits.

Responsibilities

Drive business development activities that increase demand for Johnson Controls Fire Detection solutions across the West Coast region.
Serve as a primary subject matter expert for fire detection solutions with consultants, architects, engineers, developers, and strategic end users.
Identify, develop, and track large project opportunities from early specification through project award.
Develop and execute territory strategies to expand specification influence and grow market share across targeted vertical markets.
Deliver technical seminars, lunch-and-learns, product demonstrations, and industry presentations that build brand awareness and customer engagement.
Build and maintain relationships with consulting engineers, fire protection engineers, authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), and other industry influencers.
Influence project design by providing application guidance, code-compliant solutions, and fire detection expertise.
Support key end-user initiatives by promoting integrated fire and life safety solutions aligned with operational and business objectives.
Partner with product management, engineering, training, and technical support to address customer needs and communicate market trends.
Collaborate closely with regional sales teams to develop account strategies, secure specifications, and improve project conversion.
Maintain opportunity pipelines, project tracking, forecasting, and customer engagement activity in company-approved CRM systems.
Represent Johnson Controls at industry associations, conferences, and trade events to strengthen visibility and influence.
Own your territory with accountability, integrity, and a clear focus on project outcomes from the first conversation to final award.
Stay close to the work by engaging consultants, AHJs, end users, and contractors early, so you can remove obstacles and focus on what matters most in each project.
Use candid market feedback, disciplined follow-through, and problem-solving to improve specification strategies and customer engagement every day.
Win as one team by working in close alignment with regional sales, engineering, product management, training, and technical support.
Translate technical fire detection knowledge into clear recommendations that help project teams choose code-compliant, practical solutions.
Track activity consistently in approved CRM tools so forecasting, pipeline management, and next-step actions remain current and reliable.
Use presentations, seminars, and product demonstrations to create demand, strengthen trust, and move stakeholders toward specification.
Bring a proactive, customer-focused approach to every interaction, balancing strategic territory planning with responsive support on active opportunities.