Municipal Business Development Manager

Valdes Architecture & Engineering Open · verified Sep 11, 2026

Hybrid Lombard Full-time Manager Business Development

Mid-level Business Development role at Valdes Architecture & Engineering. Lombard · full-time · $70,000–$130,000 base.

SalaryStated by Valdes Architecture & Engineering

$70,000 – $130,000

Base salary for this role, in USD per year, as published in the posting.

Role brief

Growth Roles summary, based on the employer's posting.

What you'll do

Build and execute a plan to expand Valdes’ municipal project pipeline across Chicagoland, with targeted outreach in Wisconsin and Indiana
Find and pursue opportunities involving municipal facilities, roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems, and stormwater
Develop relationships with public works directors, fire and police chiefs, village engineers, and managers to engage before projects are defined
Coordinate with buildings, transportation, and water/wastewater leaders to align pursuits with Valdes’ architecture and engineering goals
Create proposals and presentations with marketing, attend municipal meetings and industry events, and report pipeline and win-rate results

What you bring

At least ten years in municipal building design and infrastructure engineering, serving Chicagoland municipalities or comparable clients
A record of winning public works design opportunities through relationships with municipal decision-makers
Knowledge of municipal design, permitting, funding, procurement, and construction across buildings, transportation, and water or wastewater
Business development or sales experience in architecture, engineering, or public works, with the ability to present multidisciplinary services
Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills, plus authorization to work in the US without future sponsorship

Who this fits

You’ll suit this role if you can connect with municipal leaders, understand public-sector project cycles, and promote architecture and engineering services. The role is based in Lombard with hybrid or remote options, targets the Chicagoland area with selective Wisconsin and Indiana outreach, and requires evening availability for meetings and events. You must be able to work in the US without sponsorship now or later.

From the employer

Valdes is seeking a Municipal Business Development Manager to promote and expand our multidisciplinary services—focusing on municipal government buildings and municipal engineering projects—in Lombard, IL (with hybrid or remote options available). This role will prioritize building strategic relationships with fire/police chiefs, public works directors, village engineers, and village managers to secure projects in public works infrastructure, including municipal facilities (public works buildings, vehicle maintenance, fire/police stations, village halls), transportation (roads, bridges), and water/wastewater (treatment plants, stormwater). The ideal candidate will bring 10+ years of municipal buildings and infrastructure engineering experience, with a proven ability to engage municipal clients and promote Valdes’ full suite of services. This position offers significant growth potential within a stable, well-established firm committed to expanding its municipal market presence.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a business development strategy to grow Valdes’ project pipeline with municipal clients, targeting municipal government leaders across the Chicagoland area, and with selective outreach in Wisconsin and Indiana
Identify and pursue project opportunities in municipal buildings and infrastructure engineering, including municipal facilities (e.g., public works buildings, vehicle maintenance facilities, fire/police stations, village/city halls), roadway and bridge improvements, and water/wastewater infrastructure, stormwater management
Leverage existing relationships and build new ones with key municipal stakeholders to position Valdes early for upcoming projects, ensuring alignment with client needs and funding cycles (e.g., MFT, state/federal grants)
Collaborate with the Vice President-Buildings, Director of Transportation, and Director of Utilities-Water/Wastewater to align business development efforts with Valdes’ strategic goals for delivering quality architecture and engineering services to the municipal sector
Maintain a deep understanding of the Chicagoland municipal market, including public works priorities, procurement processes, and regulatory requirements (e.g., IDOT, IEPA, MWRD)
Work with the marketing team to create tailored materials (proposals, presentations, brochures) that highlight Valdes’ municipal buildings and infrastructure engineering capabilities
Represent Valdes at municipal-focused events, such as village board meetings, public hearings, and industry gatherings, often requiring evening availability
Actively participate in industry organizations (e.g., IACP, IFCA, APWA, ASCE, American Public Works Association, Illinois Municipal League) to enhance Valdes’ visibility and network with municipal decision-makers
Track and report on business development metrics, including client interactions, project opportunities, and win rates, to support strategic growth

Qualifications

10+ years of experience in municipal building design and infrastructure engineering, with a focus on projects involving Chicagoland municipalities or similar clients
Demonstrated experience engaging with public works directors, fire/police chiefs, village engineers, village managers, or similar municipal stakeholders to secure design for public works projects
Strong understanding of municipal project workflows, including design, permitting, funding (e.g., MFT, TIF, grants), and construction for buildings, transportation, and water/wastewater projects
Proven track record in business development or sales within the architecture, engineering, or public works sector, with the ability to promote multidisciplinary services
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills to build trust and maintain relationships with municipal clients
Willingness to attend evening public meetings, hearings, or industry events as needed to engage with municipal stakeholders.
Must possess exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills
Must be able to work in the US without sponsorship now or in the future

Valdes Architecture & Engineering Company is looking for bright and talented people that want to take their career to the next level. We offer many rewarding career paths to challenge and engage our employees at all phases of their careers. Our office provides a team environment, and excellent working conditions, which allow individuals to maximize their potential. Valdes Architecture & Engineering offers an outstanding benefits package including Medical, Dental, 401K plan, Company paid Long Term and Short Term Disability Insurance, Company paid Life and AD&D Insurance, Pet Insurance, a discounted gym membership and tuition reimbursement. EEO/AAE