Business development manager

This is a remote position.

About CPI

Capital Project Intelligence (CPI) is a full-service consultancy and project services firm serving North American clients in the infrastructure, utility and construction industries.

CPI is a growing firm, and we are looking for someone who wants to grow with us. The Business Development Manager will help build CPI's business development function from the ground up, shape how the firm wins new clients, and take on greater scope and leadership as the company and team expand. This is a role for someone who wants to build something, not inherit it.

Position summary

The Business Development Manager builds the engine that brings new clients to CPI. The role identifies and qualifies opportunities, runs RFI/RFP and proposal processes, develops teaming partnerships, and owns the CRM and pipeline reporting. Build a structured, measurable business development function that consistently brings qualified new-client opportunities to CPI's partners, delivers high-quality proposals, develops strategic partnerships, and keeps CRM and pipeline information reliable for sustainable growth.

The role prioritizes new-client development, with existing-client expansion as required. It works hand in hand with Internal CPI Partners, who are the subject matter experts’ clients work with. This person makes those partners' business development time count: finding the right opportunities, preparing the ground, and running everything around the client conversation.

The position supports growth across AI and automation, data analytics and business intelligence, knowledge and information management, program and project management, project controls, and related professional services for infrastructure, utilities, construction, public works, municipal organizations, and adjacent markets. It emphasizes strategic opportunity development and proposal quality rather than transactional sales.

Role at a glance

Department: Business Development & Corporate Strategy
Reports to: CPI's partner committee
Role type: Full-time, exempt position
Location: Fully remote
Travel: Travel may be required; client meetings, industry events and proposal sessions
Experience level: 3+ years in professional services business development or proposal management
CRM: HubSpot
Compensation: $85K–150K+; base salary and commission structure

Responsibilities

Three primary areas take most of the role's time; three supporting areas are lighter-touch.

Primary

1. New-client business development
   • Cold Calling
   • Identify, research and qualify prospective clients, programs and initiatives that fit CPI's services.
   • Map decision-makers, influencers, technical stakeholders and procurement contacts at target organizations.
   • Arrange partner-led client conversations, prepare briefing materials, manage follow-up and coordination requirements.
   • Manage lead generation end-to-end and maintain prospective client relationships
2. RFI, RFP and proposal management
   • Monitor, track and qualify RFIs, RFPs, RFQs and other procurement opportunities.
   • Assess eligibility, evaluation criteria, submission requirements and deadlines; prepare bid / no-bid recommendations.
   • Lead proposal strategy, schedules, review cycles, compliance and final submission.
   • Coordinate partner and SME inputs on technical approach, project experience and staffing.
   • Maintain reusable content: capability statements, case studies, resumes, credentials and other relevant materials.
   • Track outcomes and debriefs, and feed lessons learned into future proposals; expectation to review quarterly with internal CPI partners
3. CRM and pipeline administration
   • Own day-to-day CRM administration and data quality.
   • Keep prospect, client, contact, partner and opportunity records current.
   • Track opportunity stages, deadlines, follow-ups and outcomes.
   • Produce regular pipeline and proposal-activity reports for leadership.

Supporting

1. Capture and propose teaming partnerships
   • Spot opportunities before solicitations are released and build capture plans for priority pursuits.
   • Identify and assess teaming partners, subcontracting arrangements and alliances; bring proposed partnerships to leadership for approval.
2. Market and competitive intelligence
   • Monitor industry trends, competitor offerings and public contract awards.
   • Recommend improvements to service positioning and proposal messaging.
3. Events and award handoff
   • Identify the few industry events and associations worth attending, coordinate participation and log contacts.
   • On award, organize the handoff of scope, commitments and client requirements to delivery owners and update the CRM.

Qualifications

Required

• 3+ years in professional services business development, proposal & account management or related growth roles.
• Hands-on experience administering a CRM (HubSpot preferred) and producing pipeline and management reports.
• Track record of working alongside technical experts or practice leaders to generate new client contracts.
• Strong research, business writing, organization and stakeholder coordination skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing deadlines and use sound judgment within approval processes.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

Preferred

• Experience in infrastructure, utilities, construction, public works, municipal services, engineering, technology or adjacent professional services markets.
• Experience with public-sector or utility procurement and teaming arrangements.
• Experience in a small or growing firm where business development was being built, not inherited.

Compensation and work arrangement

CPI offers a competitive base salary, an incentive plan that recognizes new client relationships and meetings arranged for our department heads, and a full benefits package.
Total target compensation: $85K–150K in year one, combining base salary and commission.
Base salary: $85K–100K, depending on experience.
Commission: 1–5% of first-year contract value on new-client contracts.
Benefits: medical, dental and vision insurance; 401(k); PTO and other benefits
Work location: Remote, anywhere in the US, with travel for client and team meetings as needed.
Travel: May be required; client meetings, industry events and proposal sessions
Start date: Q1 2027.