Operations Development Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

JOB SUMMARY

Drive business development by securing modernization and new service sales while building and maintaining strong relationships with new and existing customers. This role is responsible for identifying portfolio growth opportunities, competitive displacement, and long-term customer partnerships to support profitable modernization and service execution. The position requires independent judgment and discretion in managing opportunities that directly impact branch growth and performance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Modernization & Business Development Responsibilities

• Work in coordination with building managers, owners, and other key stakeholders in the identification and pursuit of modernization and service opportunities, building strong customer relationships and maintaining market awareness of projects and competitive activity.
• Create modernization and service quoting and bidding packages by obtaining and reviewing specifications, drawings, and scope requirements, working closely with operations to ensure completeness, accuracy, and branch profitability.
• Present modernization and service proposals to customers, clearly explaining scope, cost drivers, and execution considerations.
• Conduct consistent and disciplined customer follow-up on all proposals to advance opportunities through the sales cycle.
• Coordinate submittal packages through the approval process and manage change orders as requested.
• Visit project sites as needed and collaborate with operations to ensure customer expectations, timelines, and execution standards are met.
• Identify and communicate the impact of sales plans and awarded work on branch financial performance.
• Maintain accurate and disciplined pipeline forecasts, including monthly and quarterly outlooks, ensuring alignment with branch forecasting, CRM reporting, and revenue planning processes.
• Ensure timely and accurate documentation of opportunities, customer interactions, and forecasts in branch reporting systems.
• Handle substantial modernization and service RFPs, including portfolio-driven opportunities.
• Conduct portfolio analysis to identify decision-makers, contract expirations, modernization timing, and competitive displacement opportunities.
• Build strong internal partnerships with account managers, service teams, and operations leadership to leverage existing customer portfolios, identify complex modernization opportunities, and apply sound judgment and discretion in opportunity selection and pursuit.
• Interact closely with operations leadership to survey potential jobs and efficiently develop estimates and proposals aligned with execution capabilities.
• Lead Fujitec presentations at customer, consultant, and industry meetings, including lunch-and-learns, to support business development efforts.
• Identify, pursue, and secure new service and modernization opportunities through targeted business development efforts and strategic account engagement.
• Actively represent Fujitec within the local market through participation in industry associations, networking functions, and relationship-building events to strengthen brand presence, deepen market intelligence, and generate long-term modernization and service opportunities. Participation may include events held outside of normal business hours, as appropriate.
• Represent Fujitec at pre-bid meetings, site walkthroughs, consultant reviews, and customer planning sessions with building owners, property managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to support opportunity development, scope alignment, and competitive positioning.

Work is highly independent and requires sound judgment, initiative, and accountability. The role provides a wide degree of creativity and latitude in pursuing business development, modernization, and service growth opportunities. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties.

DIRECT REPORTS

0 - None

JOB QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Education: Bachelors degree in a related field preferred
• Experience: Minimum of 3 years of experience in elevator industry sales, with strong preference for modernization and business development experience
• Requires a valid drivers license and a satisfactory Motor Vehicle Report.
• Local Travel Expectations: 60%

SKILLS/CORE COMPETENCIES

• Technical Professional Knowledge (Modernization & Service Solutions)
• Business Development & Portfolio Growth
• Relationship Management & Competitive Displacement
• Cross-Functional Collaboration (Sales & Operations Alignment)
• Communication
• Customer Service Orientation
• Initiative
• Performance Motivation
• Planning and Organizing
• Problem Assessment & Solution Development

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND EXPECTATIONS

• Job duties are performed primarily within an established office environment under normal lighting and climate-controlled conditions. The noise level in the work environment is typically low to moderate.

The work environment described is representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Prolonged periods of standing and walking.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds as required.

This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. This job description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or work conditions associated with the job. Furthermore, the employer may revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

Fujitec America is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other applicable statutorily protected group status under local, state, or federal law.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are currently unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.