Senior Business Development Manager

Element Materials Technology•St. Paul, MN

13d•Hybrid

About The Position

Element has an opportunity for a Senior Business Development Manager to lead strategic growth across a portfolio of key and enterprise accounts within a defined geography. This role is responsible for developing and executing high-impact account strategies, expanding market share, and driving profitable revenue growth across the full breadth of Element’s Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) services. As a senior leader within the commercial organization, you will serve as a trusted advisor to clients and internal stakeholders, influencing complex sales cycles, shaping long-term partnerships, and aligning Element’s technical capabilities with evolving customer needs. This role requires a strong blend of technical expertise, consultative selling, and executive-level relationship management. Sponsorship is not available for this opportunity.

Requirements

Minimum 10 years of technical experience with direct sales responsibilities, preferably within testing, inspection, certification, materials, or engineering services environments
Strong background in interpreting testing procedures, specifications, and customer requirements
Experience in materials testing, metallurgy, or composites strongly preferred
Bachelor’s degree required; B.S. in Materials Science or related technical field preferred
Proven ability to interface with clients, win new business, and grow strategic accounts
Demonstrated success developing proposals, cost estimates, work plans, and commercial terms
Strong ability to navigate complex, multi-level decision-making environments
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and CRM platforms; experience with Microsoft Dynamics AX and CRM preferred
Well-developed written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage both technical and executive audiences
Strong interpersonal skills, fostering collaboration and trust across all levels of the organization
Professional maturity and presence to represent Element across a wide range of customer, community, and industry engagements
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines while maintaining composure under pressure
Highly organized, self-directed, and results-oriented
Ability to travel up to 75%, including overnight travel as needed

Nice To Haves

Experience in materials testing, metallurgy, or composites strongly preferred
B.S. in Materials Science or related technical field preferred
Experience with Microsoft Dynamics AX and CRM preferred

Responsibilities

Lead Strategic Account Growth: Own and execute enterprise-level account plans to expand share of wallet, strengthen client retention, and unlock new revenue streams across key accounts.
Drive Complex, Technical Sales Cycles: Lead consultative, multi-stakeholder sales engagements, translating complex testing requirements into tailored solutions and compelling value propositions.
Executive Relationship Management: Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior decision-makers, engineers, and technical stakeholders, positioning Element as a long-term strategic partner.
Market Intelligence & Opportunity Development: Leverage industry knowledge and customer insights to identify emerging opportunities, re-engage dormant accounts, and penetrate new business areas.
Solution Development & Proposal Leadership: Partner with technical teams to interpret testing requirements, define scopes of work, and develop detailed proposals including cost estimates, timelines, and terms.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with laboratory leadership, operations, and commercial teams to ensure seamless execution and delivery of client solutions.
Sales Forecasting & Pipeline Ownership: Maintain accurate pipeline visibility, forecasting, and reporting through CRM tools; proactively manage risks and opportunities.
Industry Representation & Thought Leadership: Represent Element at industry events, customer engagements, and professional associations to strengthen market presence and brand credibility.
Mentorship & Commercial Excellence: Act as a leader within the sales organization, sharing best practices and supporting the development of high-performing commercial teams.
CRM & Sales Discipline: Ensure accurate and timely documentation of all sales activities, maintaining high-quality data within CRM systems.
Compliance & Governance: Adhere to all Element policies, including safety, trade compliance, ethics, and corporate governance standards.