Business Development Manager - Developer Focused

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, employs people in a variety of roles within our eight-state footprint, ranging from field workers and customer service representatives who are on the front lines working with customers, to scientists and engineers who help ensure we’re delivering reliable water and wastewater services to our communities. If you’re looking for a rewarding career helping improve our environment and protect our natural resources, we encourage you to join our team!

About Essential Utilities

Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities.

Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities.

We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S.

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Business Development Director Aqua Texas, the Manager, Business Development (BD) 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 Manger, Business Development will also work with community leaders and key stakeholders to uncover municipal water and wastewater acquisition opportunities. The Manager, Business Development (BD) 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
• General knowledge of the residential real estate market in Texas is a strong positive, but not required.
• 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)

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered-veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.
Aqua is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1-877-271-9012).
To maintain the integrity of the recruitment process and to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest due to employment and/or assignment of family members and personal referrals, specific guidelines apply to the hiring and assignment of these individuals including, but not limited to:

• Family members cannot result in a supervisor/subordinate reporting relationship
• Family members cannot work in the same department.