Market Development Consultant

Department: Market Development

Job Summary:

Lerch Bates is seeking a Market Development Consultant to drive business growth by developing new client relationships, expanding existing accounts, and generating qualified opportunities across our building consulting, engineering, and enclosure services portfolio.

This role is responsible for fueling project backlog through strategic lead generation, proposal development, and client relationship management within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. The Market Development Consultant works closely with operations and regional leadership to align client needs with Lerch Bates services and ensure successful project pursuit and delivery.

This position is ideal for a motivated sales or business development professional who understands the AEC industry and enjoys building relationships, developing proposals, and closing work in a technical consulting environment.

About Lerch Bates:

Lerch Bates (LB) is a global technical consulting firm focused on improving how buildings perform for owners, designers, and the people who use them every day. For more than 75 years we’ve partnered on some of the world’s most complex and high-profile projects. Today we provide Total Building Performance expertise that integrates Building Science and Building Flow into a unified delivery model.

Our work spans design, construction, investigation, repair, rehabilitation, management, and modernization with one consistent goal: helping clients make confident, well-informed decisions in an increasingly complex built environment.

We are 100% employee-owned through our ESOP, which fosters an ownership mindset and accountability in everything we do. At Lerch Bates, your expertise matters, your voice carries weight, and your work directly contributes to our shared success as OneLB. 

What You’ll Do:

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed in this position. They are not intended to prescribe or restrict the assignments that management may make.

Business Development & Sales Growth

• Develop and secure new business opportunities for existing building and new construction consulting services
• Expand relationships with current clients while identifying and pursuing new prospects in the AEC industry
• Drive sales of Lerch Bates services with a primary focus on building enclosure consulting and engineering services
• Generate new project opportunities through strategic outreach, networking, and client engagement

Proposal Development & Client Engagement

• Develop accurate scopes of work, pricing, and professionally prepared proposals and qualification packages
• Collaborate with technical and operations teams to align proposals with project requirements and client expectations
• Lead client discussions prior to proposal development to ensure scope and fee alignment
• Manage follow-up communications to support successful pursuit and closing of opportunities

Lead Generation & Market Development

• Identify and develop new clients, markets, and opportunities aligned with business strategy
• Execute outreach strategies for both new and existing clients across assigned regions
• Maintain consistent engagement with prospects through meetings, presentations, calls, and industry networking

Pipeline Management & CRM Execution

• Track and manage all leads, proposals, and opportunities using CRM tools
• Maintain accurate data entry and reporting across the sales pipeline
• Achieve defined KPIs related to proposal volume, pipeline growth, and closed work
• Ensure smooth transition of awarded work to operations teams

Industry Engagement & Brand Representation

• Represent Lerch Bates at industry events, conferences, client meetings, and networking functions
• Build visibility and credibility within the AEC community
• Serve as a professional ambassador of the Lerch Bates brand in all interactions

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 3–5 years of experience in sales, business development, or client relationship management
• Experience in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry strongly preferred
• Familiarity with building consulting, engineering, or technical services sales is a plus
• Strong ability to develop proposals, scopes, and client presentations
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and long-term client relationships
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and opportunities simultaneously
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Self-starter with ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and CRM systems

Why Work with Lerch Bates?

• Competitive compensation
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off (starting at 17 days annually)
• 9 paid holidays
• 401(k) with employer match
• Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP)
• Paid parental leave
• Professional development and tuition reimbursement
• Performance-based incentives and bonuses
• Employee assistance and wellness programs

Be more than just an employee…

Lerch Bates is 100% employee-owned! Our employee-owners bring a distinct “we own what we do” brand of technical consulting to every project and partnership. When you work with us, you join a company with an ownership mindset. Expect responsibility, service, and performance in everything we do. So, what does that mean for you? After a certain service time, you are eligible for stock ownership, which essentially works as an additional wealth accumulation and/or retirement account! 

Core Values

Ownership • Community • Integrity • Respect • Optimism

Working Environment:

This role operates primarily in an office environment with frequent use of standard office equipment. The position requires regular sitting, computer use, communication, and occasional travel for client meetings, industry events, and project site visits.

Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this position, an employee is regularly required to attend and participate in meetings in person and by telephone; handle, feel or operate standard office equipment. An employee is regularly required to move about the workspace.

Mental Demands:

While performing the duties of this position, an employee is are regularly required to use communication skills; read and interpret complex data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret people and situations; learn and apply new skills and information rapidly; perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks with frequently changing deadlines and interruptions; and interact with LB Executives, Project Managers and Administrative Assistants as well as clients, members of governmental agencies, professional and community organizations and committees, the media and the public.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug test. The drug test includes screening for marijuana, regardless of state or local laws permitting its use. A conditional offer of employment will be rescinded if a candidate fails either the background check or the drug test. This requirement is mandated by federal regulations applicable to our government contracting obligations.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.