The Role
The Business Development Director at CESO focuses on driving regional growth, managing client relationships, and executing growth strategies across targeted markets.
Summary Generated by Built In
Are you seeking purpose, challenge, and talented colleagues? CESO is a nationally recognized architecture and engineering firm. CESO has the opportunity for you to develop your career. We develop leaders and empower our associates to use their skills and talents to positively impact the world through service – to our coworkers, clients, and communities. We subscribe to the mission of “empowering our people to impact communities by bringing clients’ visions to life,” so if this speaks to you, let’s connect!
At CESO, the Business Development (BD) Director is a senior market-facing leader responsible for driving regional growth through client strategy, relationship development, and pursuit leadership across CESO’s targeted markets. This position focuses on expanding existing client relationships, identifying and developing new opportunities, and positioning CESO for long-term success in the commercial, industrial, residential, and public works sectors with the Central Florida region. The BD Director serves as a key connector between clients, market leadership, and internal delivery teams, ensuring CESO’s capabilities are aligned with market needs and strategic growth objectives.
Primary Responsibilities
- Partner with Market and Service Line Leaders to develop and execute regional and sector-based growth strategies aligned with firm-wide goals.
- Identify, cultivate, and manage key client relationships with decision-makers, influencers, and industry partners.
- Proactively identify emerging markets, clients, and project opportunities, translating insights into actionable pursuit strategies.
- Lead or support go/no-go evaluations, prospect qualification, and positioning for high-priority pursuits.
- Maintain a strong external presence through industry events, professional organizations, and targeted networking.
- Collaborate closely with Marketing to develop client‑centric messaging, pursuit strategies, and interview approaches.
- Champion disciplined use of the firm’s CRM system for opportunity tracking, forecasting, and pipeline reporting.
- Provide market intelligence and competitive insight to firm leadership.
- Build strong internal relationships across technical, operational, and leadership teams to support seamless pursuit-to-delivery transitions.
- Represent CESO at regional, state, and national industry functions.
- Support firm initiatives related to brand visibility, thought leadership, and strategic partnerships.
- Assist with onboarding and mentoring of new market-facing staff as needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Position Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related field is required.
- Minimum of 8 years of progressive business development experience is required; preferably within the A/E/C industry.
- Established professional network within the Orlando/Central Florida market, with demonstrated success converting relationships into revenue.
- Proven record of securing complex, high-profile, and large-scale projects.
- Strong understanding of professional services delivery models and fee structures.
- Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and negotiation skills.
- Computer skills necessary to enter daily timesheet data and use Microsoft Outlook for email correspondence.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Experience using and maintaining data in an enterprise CRM system.
- Ability to analyze pipeline data, market trends, and performance metrics.
- Travel to various local, regional and national meetings will be expected as needed, which may likely include occasional overnight stays. Approximately 30-50% travel expected.
Benefits and Perks
- Flexible and Hybrid Work Schedule
- Paid Time Off – Credited to You 100% Upfront
- 401K with a Company Match
- Rewards and Recognition Program
- Training and Development to Foster Professional Growth
- Paid Holidays
- Medical / Dental / Vision Coverage
- Welcome Box
- Casual Dress Code
- Reimbursement for Professional Licenses
- Paid Time Off for Community Team Service Events
- Voluntary or Supplemental Short-Term / Long-Term Disability
- Employee Assistance Program
- Company Paid Bonding and Recovery
- Employee Events such as Lunches and Outings to Foster a Positive Work Environment
CESO is a principle-centered organization that aligns with strong service values, integrity, and authenticity. We develop and inspire through training and coaching on the job. At CESO, we believe that work should be more rewarding than just a paycheck. In addition to a comprehensive benefit and compensation program, we create memories and friendships through our employee and service events.
CESO, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This organization participates in E-Verify and is a drug-free workplace. Criminal background checks and drug/alcohol checks are required.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related field
- Minimum of 8 years of progressive business development experience
- Established professional network within the Orlando/Central Florida market
- Proven record of securing complex, high-profile, and large-scale projects
- Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and negotiation skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
- Experience using and maintaining data in an enterprise CRM system
- Ability to analyze pipeline data, market trends, and performance metrics
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The Company
What We Do
For more than thirty years, CESO has combined creativity with technical know-how to provide end-to-end solutions to solve our clients’ unique challenges and opportunities. We continue to grow in each of our ten offices across the country, offering a wide range of services that help us serve our clients and achieve their vision. As your needs evolve, so too will our partnership. Our strength is in collaborative relationships. When CESO was founded in 1987, a small team had a vision of providing civil engineering and survey services to businesses and municipalities in Dayton, Ohio and the surrounding area. Today, CESO is a comprehensive firm offering multi-disciplinary capabilities through our ability to provide surveying, landscape architecture, civil engineering, environmental, architecture, and interiors services to our clients. Our combined experience, expertise, and strong relationships allow CESO to excel at creating experiences that drive business results.
