Job Description
Description: Reports to: Company President The Business Development Manager plays a key role in driving sustainable growth for the company by identifying, developing, and winning new commercial landscape maintenance partnerships that align with our ideal client profile, core geography, and long-term strategic goals. This position is responsible for leading the full business development cycle, from networking and prospecting through bidding, contract execution, onboarding, and early relationship development. This role is more than a traditional sales position. The Business Development Manager is expected to work closely with operations, finance, and leadership to ensure that new opportunities are a strong fit for the company, are priced appropriately, and can be delivered successfully at a high level of quality. The Business Development Manager also plays an active role in supporting client engagement, strengthening existing relationships, and identifying opportunities to expand services across departments. Success in this position requires an independently driven professional who is proactive, relationship-oriented, highly organized, and committed to balancing growth with service excellence. The right person will be comfortable wearing multiple hats, collaborating across teams, and helping the company pursue “bigger, better wins” by focusing on high-value, long-term client partnerships that advance our reputation as the Bay Area’s most trusted landscape and tree-care partner. Key Responsibilities and Expectations Networking and Prospecting ? Leverage existing relationships, personal networks, and internal team collaboration to identify and pursue opportunities that align with the company’s ideal customer profile. ? Build and maintain a strong regional network of property managers, facility leaders, real estate professionals, and industry contacts throughout the Bay Area. ? Represent the company professionally at trade shows, industry events, association meetings, and other networking opportunities. ? Develop relationships with property management companies and strategic partners to create opportunities for introductions, meetings, and lunch-and-learn presentations. ? Partner with internal teams to identify target accounts, develop prospecting strategies, and create meaningful points of entry with prospective clients. ? Focus business development efforts on “bigger, better wins,” prioritizing larger-dollar, high-quality, and strategically aligned opportunities rather than a high volume of smaller accounts. ? Participate in landscape walks and client visits to strengthen relationships, better understand client priorities, and identify service concerns, improvement opportunities, and cross-selling potential. ? Work collaboratively with operations to help address client concerns, solve problems, and strengthen both existing and developing client relationships. Bidding and Sales Cycle Management ? Own the full bidding cycle from initial contact through contract signature. ? Maintain accurate, timely, and thorough records of all leads, opportunities, touchpoints, and next steps within the company’s CRM system. ? Build, manage, and maintain a healthy, well-qualified pipeline of prospective maintenance revenue opportunities. ? Qualify and vet opportunities to ensure the company prioritizes partnership opportunities that fit its ideal client profile, service model, and geographic focus. ? Lead discovery conversations with prospective clients to understand site conditions, service expectations, pain points, decision-making processes, and overall fit. ? Define customer expectations clearly and ask thoughtful questions to ensure proposals are responsive, differentiated, and aligned with the value the company brings. ? Develop proposals that clearly communicate how the company will improve and advance the quality, care, and long-term performance of a client’s landscape. ? Collaborate with operations team members to develop competitive and realistic labor hour budgets, service plans, and bid rates. ? Partner with finance and operations to ensure pricing balances competitiveness with profitability, service quality, operational feasibility, long-term account performance, and overall company goals. ? Lead client negotiations, respond to feedback, and refine proposals as needed to support a successful close. Client Onboarding and Transition ? Lead the client onboarding process through the first 90 days of every new account startup. ? Work closely with the Director of Operations and assigned Area Manager to guide transition planning and prepare all startup notes and contract requirements. ? Establish and communicate maintenance sc