Southeast Water Business Development Director

WSP•Raleigh, NC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

WSP is seeking a Southeast Water Business Development Director to drive the expansion of its Water business across the Southeastern United States. This leadership role will collaborate with regional Water leadership, executives, practice leaders, client account teams, and technical leaders to foster sustainable growth, enhance market position, and achieve WSP's strategic goals. The Director will be responsible for developing and implementing regional growth strategies, identifying key clients and emerging market opportunities, nurturing client relationships, and supporting major project pursuits. This role serves as a critical advisor to leadership, translating strategy into actions that boost pipeline, bookings, backlog, market penetration, and client engagement within the region.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Engineering, Environmental Science, Planning, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
12+ years of progressively responsible experience in business development, strategic growth, client development, capture management, infrastructure consulting, engineering, environmental services, or a related professional-services industry.
Demonstrated success developing and executing regional or market-focused growth strategies that produce measurable business outcomes.
Proven experience building senior-level client relationships and coordinating complex business development initiatives across multiple teams.
Strong understanding of client account management, pipeline development, opportunity qualification, capture planning, and pursuit strategy.
Experience leading or supporting significant, multidisciplinary, or strategically important pursuits.
Demonstrated ability to identify market opportunities and translate strategy into actionable growth plans.
Strong business and financial acumen, including familiarity with sales forecasting, bookings, backlog, revenue, and business development performance metrics.
Experience influencing senior leaders and technical professionals and building alignment across a matrixed organization.
Exceptional communication, presentation, facilitation, and relationship-management skills.
Proficiency with CRM systems and business development reporting.
Willingness and ability to travel throughout the Southeast as required.
Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety, and conduct policies.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Business development experience in drinking water, wastewater, water resources, stormwater, dams, hydraulic structures, program management, or related infrastructure markets.
Existing relationships with utilities, municipalities, public works agencies, state agencies, contractors, or strategic industry partners across the Southeast.
Experience within the engineering, consulting, environmental, construction, or infrastructure sectors.
Experience developing business across multiple states, markets, or service areas.
Experience supporting alternative delivery, program management, or major municipal and utility capital programs.
Experience coaching Client Account Managers, technical professionals, and pursuit teams.
Experience supporting market expansion, strategic partnerships, organizational integration, or the introduction of new service offerings.
Participation and leadership within relevant Water and infrastructure industry associations and professional organizations.
Master’s degree in Business Administration or a related advanced degree.
Professional certification relevant to business development, capture management, or WSP’s Water markets.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of the Southeast Water growth strategy, aligned with regional and national Water business objectives.
Partner with Southeast Water leadership, Regional Executives, Practice Leaders, Client Account Teams, and technical leaders to identify and pursue strategic growth opportunities.
Drive market expansion through proactive identification of priority clients, emerging trends, funding programs, partnerships, and new service opportunities.
Develop and maintain executive-level relationships with utilities, municipalities, public agencies, contractors, and strategic partners throughout the Southeast.
Strengthen client account planning and help convert client relationships and successful project delivery into repeat and expanded business.
Develop and maintain a qualified, forward-looking opportunity pipeline aligned with regional sales, bookings, backlog, and growth objectives.
Monitor pipeline health by client, geography, service area, and anticipated award date, and recommend actions to address gaps.
Lead or support major Water pursuits and strategic captures, including client positioning, competitive intelligence, teaming, win strategy, and interview preparation.
Promote disciplined opportunity qualification, go/no-go decision-making, pre-positioning, and capture planning.
Collaborate across WSP’s business lines and geographies to create integrated solutions that maximize value for clients and differentiate WSP in the marketplace.
Facilitate business planning sessions, client account reviews, pipeline reviews, and pursuit strategy workshops.
Represent WSP at industry organizations, conferences, client meetings, and other market-facing events.
Coach and influence Client Account Managers, technical leaders, and seller-doers to strengthen business development capabilities and foster a growth-focused culture.
Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.