Business Development Manager - Developer Focused

Manager, Business Development

Reporting to the Business Development Director Aqua Texas, the Manager, Business Development plays a critical role in developing a pipeline of opportunities to grow Aqua Texas's water and wastewater services in desired geographical areas. This individual will dedicate a minimum of 50% of their time working with residential developers identify opportunities to provide water and wastewater services. The Manager, Business Development will also work with community leaders and key stakeholders to uncover municipal water and wastewater acquisition opportunities. The Manager, Business Development will be responsible for prospecting for new business, leading the due diligence process, financial analysis, contract negotiation, and integration of acquisitions.

Essential Duties:

• Develop and sustain relationships with residential developers, municipal leaders and key stakeholders to generate water and wastewater opportunities for Aqua Texas in desired geographical areas.
• Target, approach and engage with prospective targets to "sell" Aqua's value proposition
• Maintain a robust pipeline of opportunities by prospecting new opportunities and managing existing opportunities through the business development process
• Partner with all primary functional areas of the organization in the pursuit and development of potential opportunities including Finance, Engineering, Operations, Environmental Compliance, Human Resources and Legal.
• Managing the proposal process and ensuring that all requirements have been satisfied so that a deal can be submitted.
• The Director, BD will co-lead presentations of his/her deals through the Aqua America Investment Committee for approval. This position will provide significant exposure to senior leaders within Essential
• Coordinate activities with external lawyers, advisors, accountants, and consultants to successfully complete a transaction.
• Work closely with Aqua's Communications team and with major builder organizations such as Texas Home Builders Association to market Aqua unique capabilities to enhance development projects
• Assists with other tasks or projects as assigned

Qualifications:

• 5 years or more experience assisting organization(s) with new business opportunities, including assessment of market attractiveness, entry strategy, and acquisitions or joint ventures. Alternate high-demand career experiences will also be considered.
• Proven experience negotiating and transacting with real estate developers, including structuring deals, managing relationships, and navigating development processes.
• Bachelor's degree preferably in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or Engineering required.
• Demonstrate a successful track record in sales or business development.
• Experience with real estate development, municipalities, or utilities is a strong positive, but not required. Experience with civil engineering/land development would also be beneficial.
• Previous experience with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) is desired, but not required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Results oriented with a strong desire to win
• Effective verbal and written presentation and communication skills. Well versed in making presentations and thinking on his / her feet.
• Mastery of Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel is critical to this role.
• Superior analytical abilities including advanced knowledge of financial and valuation techniques is desired. In partnership with the state controller, perform valuations of target systems and make recommendations on valuations and deal terms. This includes establishing negotiation agendas and leading/participating on the negotiation team.
• Ability to identify and address cross-functional issues that may be relevant to completing or implementing acquisitions and alliances, as well developing, and executing growth strategies, including analyzing new market approaches, competitors and internal strengths and weaknesses.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills; communicate effectively (clearly, concisely, and professionally) with internal customers
• Be highly motivated and possess vision and enthusiasm; can easily function in a high demand, performance-driven environment.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A team player able to work effectively in a team fostered multi-tasking environment

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

• Perform sedentary work- exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.
• Working conditions include travel to work sites of Essential Utilities and/or other constituents Company vehicle is provided.
• Travel Requirements up to 50% (overnight travel is required)