Research Development Manager Jobs in Evanston, IL

Position Overview

CoreBuilt is seeking a high-energy, strategic Business Development Manager to develop new relationships and expand opportunities with prospective clients, architects, developers, franchise groups, property managers, and other referral partners.

This is a proactive, relationship-driven position - not simply an estimating, marketing, or proposal-management role. Working closely with the President, estimating, and operations teams, this person will develop account strategies, build senior-level relationships, move qualified opportunities forward, and remain involved throughout the pursuit and project lifecycle. The goal is to make CoreBuilt a trusted, long-term partner rather than simply another contractor submitting bids.

Key Responsibilities

• Help develop and execute CoreBuilt's overall business development strategy, including priority markets, target accounts, and relationship-development plans.
• Identify and research prospective clients, strategic accounts, and referral partners within CoreBuilt's target markets.
• Conduct consistent outbound outreach through phone, email, LinkedIn, referrals, networking, and in-person meetings.
• Develop relationships with business owners, developers, architects, franchise groups, property managers, construction managers, and other senior-level decision-makers.
• Qualify opportunities and move them from initial conversation through relationship development, pursuit planning, proposal, and transition to the appropriate CoreBuilt team members.
• Coordinate qualified introductions involving the President and other members of CoreBuilt's leadership team.
• Maintain ownership of key client relationships throughout the project lifecycle and after project completion to strengthen retention and uncover future opportunities.
• Develop deeper and broader relationships within client organizations rather than relying on a single contact.
• Create and maintain account plans for priority prospects, past clients, and existing client relationships.
• Coordinate with estimating and operations to ensure opportunities are properly qualified, pursued, and transitioned.
• Participate actively in relevant trade organizations, industry groups, networking events, and prospecting activities.
• Track all outreach, conversations, opportunities, next steps, and follow-up activity in CoreBuilt's CRM.
• Provide weekly reporting on business development activity, meetings, qualified opportunities, proposals, pipeline progress, and awarded work.

Qualifications

Experience and Background

• At least five years of successful business development, sales, or relationship-management experience.
• Commercial construction, commercial real estate, architecture, facilities, building products, property services, or related professional-services experience is strongly preferred.
• Candidates from other construction-related industries will be considered if their relationships, experience, and sales skills can translate to CoreBuilt's target markets.
• Demonstrated success personally developing client relationships, qualified opportunities, and measurable new revenue.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant professional experience preferred.

Professional Attributes

• Able to discuss specific accounts, opportunities, or relationships personally developed and advanced.
• Strategic and analytical, with the ability to identify new markets, develop account plans, and think creatively about business growth.
• High-energy, self-directed, persistent, and accountable for measurable activity and results.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Comfortable initiating contact, requesting meetings, and building credibility with senior-level decision-makers.
• Organized and disciplined with follow-up, pipeline management, and CRM documentation.
• Willing to participate actively in trade groups, networking, prospecting, client meetings, and company activities.

Work Environment

Evanston-based role: This is an in-person and market-facing position, not a fully remote role. Reasonable flexibility may be available as the individual becomes established and demonstrates consistent productivity, accountability, and results.

Measures of Success

• Consistent completion of agreed-upon business development and relationship-building activity.
• Development of strategic target accounts and qualified senior-level relationships.
• Growth in qualified opportunities, proposals, and self-generated project pipeline.
• Contribution to profitable awarded work and CoreBuilt's future backlog.
• Consistent, accurate, and timely CRM usage and follow-up.
• Retention and expansion of relationships with clients, past clients, and referral partners.
• Effective collaboration with the President, estimating, operations, and project-management teams.