Trade Development Manager Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

POSITION: Business Development Manager

LOCATION: Flexible / Remote

WHY AEI:

AEI Consultants is one of the nation’s largest commercial real estate due diligence firms, providing integrated environmental, property condition, zoning, land surveying (ALTA/NSPS), and valuation services throughout North America.

This integrated platform gives our business development professionals a distinct competitive advantage as we are able to offer clients a single, trusted partner across the full spectrum of due diligence services. Rather than selling a single service line, our Business Development Managers bring an entire platform to the table, creating stronger client relationships, deeper account penetration, and more meaningful long-term value.

Our business development team collaborates closely with in-house technical experts across disciplines, ensuring that client commitments are backed by the operational expertise to deliver.

POSITION SUMMARY:

AEI Consultants is seeking a Business Development Manager to drive revenue growth by identifying, cultivating, and closing new client relationships across AEI's full suite of due diligence services. This role is well suited for professionals who thrive in a consultative sales environment, are genuinely curious about commercial real estate, and understand how to build trust with sophisticated clients.

At AEI, business development is not transactional. We are focused on delivering a best-in-class client experience—defined by clear and proactive communication, meeting deadlines, and producing consistent, defensible work. Our BDMs play a critical role in setting that expectation from the very first conversation and are expected to take ownership of both the client relationship and the overall experience throughout the engagement lifecycle.

BDMs manage the full sales cycle from prospecting through close, work directly with clients and internal service line leaders, and contribute meaningfully to the continued growth of AEI's national platform.

WHAT MAKES THIS ROLE DIFFERENT:

A Broader, More Compelling Value Proposition

• AEI BDMs are not selling a single service—they represent an integrated platform of environmental, property condition, zoning, survey, valuation, and sustainability solutions.
• This creates a natural cross-sell environment, where an initial engagement in one service line frequently expands into a long-term, multi-service relationship.
• Clients engaged across multiple service lines are stickier, more profitable, and more likely to become long-term AEI advocates.

Access to a Market-Leading Technical Team

• BDMs at AEI are supported by over 400 professionals nationwide, giving them the credibility and capacity to pursue large, complex, and institutional accounts.
• Our technical leadership team actively participates in client pursuits, providing BDMs with meaningful backup when navigating sophisticated buyers and technical conversations.

Technology + Operational Excellence = Client Confidence

• AEI has made significant investments in technology, AI-enabled workflows, and quality assurance infrastructure tools that BDMs can confidently position as differentiators in competitive pursuits.
• Our operational consistency and national footprint allow us to better serve our clients and meet their needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify, prospect, and develop new client relationships across target markets including commercial lenders, private equity, REITs, developers, law firms, and institutional investors
• Manage the full sales cycle from initial outreach through proposal, negotiation, and close
• Develop and execute a business development strategy aligned with AEI's organizational priorities
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned clients and prospects throughout the engagement process
• Coordinate with service line leaders and operations teams to develop compelling, accurate proposals and scopes of work
• Represent AEI at industry conferences, trade associations, and networking events (e.g., MBA, NAIOP, ULI, CREFC)
• Maintain accurate pipeline data and activity records in AEI's CRM platform
• Collaborate with marketing on targeted campaigns, thought leadership content, and client-facing materials
• Identify cross-sell and upsell opportunities within existing client accounts
• Provide market intelligence and client feedback to inform service delivery and business strategy
• Meet or exceed quarterly and annual revenue targets

GROWTH & OPPORTUNITY:

While AEI has over 400 professionals nationwide, our business development function is actively growing, creating meaningful opportunities for:

• Increased responsibility
• Leadership and mentorship roles
• Long-term career advancement within AEI’s national platform

We are a national firm, yet still small enough that individual contributors are valued, heard, and genuinely connected to the organization. High performers are recognized and rewarded.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Previous business development experience within the commercial real estate, commercial financial lending, or due diligence industries 
• Demonstrates strong leadership skills and thorough working knowledge of business markets   
• Sells profitable work and develops positive collaborative relations with technical staff  
• Manages a minimum of $500,000 - $1 million in annual revenue
• Maintains an annual book of business with developers, property owners, and/government entities
• Strong communication skills 
• Sales and goal oriented
• Competitive attitude with demonstrated achievements in business 
• Professional, high energy, self-starter
• Exemplary customer service and relationship management skills 
• Ability to remain detail-oriented while working at a fast pace
• Proven ability to proactively develop client relationships utilizing outside selling techniques

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree required

CULTURE MATTERS AT AEI:

AEI is deeply committed to culture and inclusion. We are intentional about who we add to the team because we want to preserve an environment where:

• Professionals respect one another’s expertise
• Collaboration is authentic and cross-disciplinary
• People take pride in their work and the service they provide to clients

Our goal is to make AEI a place where talented professionals choose to build long-term careers, not just complete assignments.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• The work environment may be both indoors and outdoors. Indoor work takes place in a typical office setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Outdoor work requires the ability to effectively perform work in all types of weather conditions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, type, handle office and/or field equipment, speak and hear. The employee may occasionally be required to stand, walk, balance, kneel or crouch. The employee may be required to travel independently and lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to focus. 

EMPLOYEE PERKS & BENEFITS

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and sick leave
• Life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Employee referral bonus program
• Commuter tax and dependent care benefits
• Complimentary use of AEI’s Donner Lake condo in Truckee, CA

OVERVIEW

AEI Consultants is an employee-owned, national due diligence firm providing environmental, valuation, property condition, zoning, construction risk, land surveying, and sustainability services across North America. Founded in 1992, AEI is known for being reliable, responsive, and relationship-driven, with a strong focus on quality, consistency, and collaboration.

AEI Consultants is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. We encourage qualified candidates to apply even if they do not meet every listed requirement.

AEI Careers Site / AEI Culture Handbook