Telecom Business Development Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL

TenCate is a leading provider of synthetic turf, sports surfacing, sports construction, and related athletic-facility solutions. Through our family of companies, we partner with schools, universities, municipalities, architects, contractors, athletic organizations, and facility owners to deliver high-performance sports environments across the United States.

The Business Development Manager is responsible for developing new revenue opportunities and growing business within an assigned geographic territory. This role manages relationships throughout the sales and project-development lifecycle and works closely with estimating, operations, project management, marketing, and leadership teams to move opportunities from initial identification through award and execution.

We are specifically interested in candidates with established sales experience in the sports market, including synthetic turf, sports construction, athletic facilities, athletic surfacing, commercial landscape construction, or related industries. Experience selling sports lighting systems, scoreboards, or other athletic-facility capital projects is especially valued.

• Develop and grow business within an assigned geographic territory, with accountability for pipeline development, revenue growth, and long-term market presence.
• Identify, qualify, pursue, and close new projects and business opportunities across sports construction, athletic facilities, synthetic turf, athletic surfacing, sports lighting, scoreboards, and related solutions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with schools, universities, municipalities, athletic directors, facility owners, architects, engineers, contractors, purchasing groups, and other key decision-makers.
• Conduct in-person sales calls, site visits, presentations, customer meetings, and value-based selling conversations.
• Manage customer relationships throughout the sales and project-development lifecycle, from prospecting and early project identification through proposal, award, and transition to project execution.
• Develop and execute territory-specific business development plans aligned with company growth strategy.
• Maintain an active, accurate sales pipeline and provide regular updates on opportunity status, deal value, decision-makers, next steps, market activity, and expected close timing.
• Partner closely with Estimating, Operations, Project Management, Marketing, and leadership teams to develop competitive solutions and support a strong customer experience.
• Maintain a strong understanding of company product and service offerings, competitive positioning, market trends, and customer needs.
• Represent the company at industry events, conferences, trade shows, customer meetings, and other business-development activities.
• Travel extensively throughout the assigned territory and to other locations as business needs require.

• Previous industry experience within synthetic turf, sports construction, athletic facilities, athletic surfacing, sports lighting, scoreboards, commercial landscape construction, or a closely related sports or construction market is required.
• Proven business development, outside sales, account management, or territory-development experience with demonstrated success prospecting, qualifying, and closing new business.
• Prior sales experience within the sports market is required; experience selling sports lighting systems, scoreboards, synthetic turf, running tracks, athletic surfaces, or other athletic-facility solutions is strongly preferred.
• Established knowledge of the industry, customer base, competitive landscape, and relationship-driven sales cycle.
• Ability to independently develop, manage, and grow a geographic territory.
• Strong relationship-building, presentation, negotiation, and written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong business and financial acumen, including the ability to participate in value-based and ROI-focused sales discussions.
• Self-motivated, entrepreneurial, and comfortable operating with a high level of autonomy in a fast-paced sales environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience using CRM systems.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet company driving requirements.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively throughout the assigned territory.

• Existing relationships with schools, universities, municipalities, athletic departments, architects, contractors, facility owners, or other sports-industry decision-makers.
• Experience selling complex, high-value capital projects with extended sales cycles and multiple stakeholders.
• Experience with sports lighting, LED athletic lighting systems, scoreboards, video displays, or related sports technology solutions.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, construction management, or a related field preferred.

We are building our Business Development team in markets across the country. If you know this industry, have a strong track record of developing business, and are interested in exploring an opportunity with us, we would like to hear from you - even if your specific city is not currently listed.

• Competitive base salary plus performance-based commission opportunity.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, holidays, and 401(k).
• Company vehicle and/or vehicle program may be provided based on role and territory.
• Comprehensive onboarding, product training, and ongoing professional development.

This is a territory-based sales role requiring frequent in-person customer engagement and extensive regional travel. Travel requirements will vary by assigned market and may include periodic overnight travel, industry events, internal meetings, and training.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.

TenCate is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.