Project Development Manager Jobs in Detroit, MI (NOW HIRING)

The Director of Business Development drives national growth by identifying and developing new business opportunities, expanding a diverse client portfolio, and building long-term strategic relationships across the construction and broader AEC industry. This role focuses on proactively generating and qualifying leads, leading pursuits, and converting prospects into repeat clients while collaborating closely with internal teams to support preconstruction and project delivery efforts.

• Develop and execute a comprehensive national business development strategy that aligns with the organization’s growth goals.
• Leverage an existing network of industry relationships to identify new opportunities and expand the client base.
• Proactively cold call, qualify, and develop new leads to build a robust pipeline of pursuits.
• Research potential clients, projects, and market opportunities to inform targeting and pursuit strategies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with owners, developers, architects, engineers, brokers, consultants, municipalities, and other key construction stakeholders.
• Coordinate proposal and presentation efforts with internal teams, including operations, preconstruction, and executive leadership.
• Lead RFQs, RFPs, SOQs, and other pursuit efforts from opportunity identification through award.
• Support preconstruction and project pursuit activities by aligning client needs with project solutions and delivery approaches.
• Develop and deliver shortlist interviews, client presentations, and award presentations that clearly communicate value and differentiators.
• Track business development activities, maintain accurate records of pursuits and outcomes, and provide regular updates to leadership.
• Grow prospects into repeat clients and strategic accounts through consistent follow-up, relationship management, and value-added engagement.
• Quantify and report on projects won, sales performance, and revenue generated to demonstrate business development impact.
• Collaborate with national teams to leverage the organization’s design-build capabilities and geographic reach in pursuit strategies.
• Represent the organization at client meetings, industry events, and conferences to enhance visibility and strengthen the brand.

• At least 5 years of business development, sales, or client development experience with a general contractor.
• Proven experience in general contractor business development with a strong track record of building relationships and winning new construction projects.
• Established book of business and existing relationships within the AEC community.
• Experience selling construction, design-build, EPC, engineering, or related services.
• Demonstrated ability to generate new opportunities through cold calling, networking, and relationship development.
• Documented revenue generation with the ability to quantify projects won, sales performance, and revenue generated for previous employers.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with clients and internal stakeholders.
• Advanced presentation skills, including experience developing and delivering client presentations, shortlist interviews, and award presentations.
• Strong negotiation skills with the ability to close deals and secure new work.
• Experience leading proposal and pursuit efforts, including RFQs, RFPs, and SOQs, from initial identification through award.
• Proficiency in client relationship management and maintaining long-term strategic partnerships.
• Ability to plan and manage multiple pursuits and projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to approximately 40% for client meetings, industry events, and project pursuits.

• General contractor business development experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience with design-build project delivery and an understanding of integrated project approaches.
• Existing relationships with developers, owners, architects, engineers, brokers, consultants, and municipalities.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Business, or a related field.
• Experience with proposal development, including content creation, coordination, and quality control.
• Experience with project planning and aligning business development strategies with operational capabilities.
• Comfort working within an employee-owned (ESOP) structure and growth-oriented organization.
• Motivation to capitalize on bonus opportunities tied to securing new projects and driving revenue growth.

This role is fully onsite in Southfield, MI, with a national sales focus that includes travel of approximately 40% for client meetings, industry events, and project pursuits. You will work in a highly collaborative environment, partnering closely with operations, preconstruction, and executive leadership teams to align business development strategies with project delivery. The culture emphasizes high performance, growth, and career advancement, supported by the resources and reach of one of the nation’s largest design-build contractors. The organization operates as an employee-owned company, offering a dynamic, team-oriented setting where initiative and results are recognized and rewarded.

This is a Permanent position based out of Southfield, MI.

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $200000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

• 3 Weeks PTO
• Industry-leading performance-based bonus program
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Traditional and Roth 401k
• Tuition reimbursement for associates
• Scholarship for associates’ children up to $28,000 per child
• 1-month paid sabbatical after every five years of employment, plus $5,000 for travel
• 1-week paid volunteer leave each year
• 100% charitable match
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage 100% paid
• 10-week maternity leave

This is a fully onsite position in Southfield,MI.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 22, 2026.

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.