Business Development Lead Jobs at BKF Engineers with Visa Sponsorship
Business Development Lead jobs at BKF Engineers involve growing client relationships and pursuing infrastructure and land development projects across the western U.S. The firm has an established track record of sponsoring employment-based Green Cards for professional staff, making it a realistic target for international candidates in consulting and engineering services.
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INTRODUCTION
BKF is a multi-service infrastructure consulting firm providing civil engineering, construction management, environmental, planning, and surveying services across California, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. With offices throughout California and the Portland area, BKF has served transportation, water resources, land development, government, and federal clients for over 110 years. At BKF, you'll find a unique opportunity to grow your career with intention. Our culture values professional autonomy, innovation, and meaningful collaboration across offices. We are proud to be recognized with the Great Place to Work certification for the second year in a row.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Vice President of Business Development will lead strategic growth initiatives and achieve annual financial goals (bookings, book-to-burn, and weighted pipeline) within the Planning and Government Solutions Division. BKF's Planning and Government Solutions Division provides services across a wide range of markets including government, transportation, water, power/utilities, and land development. In concert with the Planning and Government Solutions Division leadership team, select Division Priority and Emerging Clients annually and determine the annual financial goals for each client. Along with Regional Business Development Directors, this role involves working closely with seller doers and Key Client Leaders to develop and execute client-focused strategies to expand our market share and strengthen our brand across the West Coast. As a key member of the corporate business development leadership team, you will provide overall direction to achieve sustainable and profitable growth within our Planning and Government Solutions Division. This role is responsible for driving market expansion, client acquisition, and revenue growth. The VP will oversee a team of Regional Business Development Directors and Managers, with whom they will work closely to execute each initiative. The VP will collaborate closely with senior leadership, the Key Client Team, Marketing Leadership, and other BD Leaders to align business development efforts with the company's overarching goals of growing BKF's reputation as a leader in the AEC industry. This includes developing and expanding the geographic market by effectively partnering with top client/agency leaders, as well as forming strategic industry alliances. Leverage your key contacts within government agencies and other engineering and construction companies to develop project and program opportunities proactively. This position reports directly to Chief Business Development Officer and indirectly to EVP Planning and Government Solutions. This role is responsible for managing other Business Development leaders across our strategic geographies in Northern California. This is an external facing position that must be based in one of our Northern California office locations. While a combination of virtual and in-office presence is expected, frequent travel will be required across all BKF's regions.
Responsibilities
- Lead a comprehensive BD program annual financial goals (bookings, book-to-burn, and weighted pipeline) for the Division
- Develop and execute business development strategies for planning and government services sectors to enhance market share and profitability
- Identify synergies for cross-selling existing and new service lines
- Build and implement effective sales/marketing initiatives to drive market growth
- Identify and pursue new business opportunities in water and transportation, fostering strong client relationships and partnerships
- Drive the Pursuit to Win process of business development from opportunity creation/identification through contract negotiation
- Manage complex win strategies and proposal efforts that entail both conventional/traditional contract and procurement methods as well as collaborative/alternative project delivery methods
- Uncover and lead Strategic Pursuits to wins
- Reporting to the CBDO, helping execute corporate strategy for the planning and government services vertical
- Collaborates with other division market leaders to ensure cross-selling is maximized
- Support and mentor Regional BD Directors in implementing regional growth plans and networking initiatives
- Provide strategic direction to the planning and government services marketing leader for key pursuits and go/no-go direction
- Optimize the sales funnel and client engagement processes for sustainable growth
- Facilitate and improve client experience, satisfaction, and loyalty through all touchpoints
- Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and client meetings to promote brand visibility and thought leadership, requiring attendance at after-hour client events
- Ensures business development plans and budgets are planned, executed, and captured in CRM
- Ensures public agency and target client budgets are acquired and analyzed annually and utilized for business development planning
- Ensures that all client relationship activities are captured in CRM
- Actively communicate and collaborate with the internal Marketing & Business Development Team
- Ensure updated and accurate pipeline for the Planning & Government Division.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum of 15 years of experience in business development, marketing leadership, and strategic planning within the A/E/C or infrastructure services sectors, preferably in California
- Located next to one of BKF's Northern California offices
- Proven success in leading teams, managing client relationships, strategic selling, and driving revenue growth
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, Civil Engineering, or a related field
- Deep understanding of the overall life of a project (planning, design, construction, and land development)
- Proven leader in client relationship management, strategic planning, strategic teaming, and proposal strategy and negotiation
- Ability to leverage your key contacts with private organizations and state and municipal agencies within the region and build a robust sales pipeline for BKF
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills
- Experience with CRM systems and data-driven business development practices
- Demonstrated ability to create impactful differentiated value propositions
- Skilled in coaching seller/doers and others in client relationship development and management
- Established relationship with strategic clients and a broad network of contacts in California relevant to the Planning & Government Division
Physical Demands
Must be able to regularly talk, hear and operate a computer, keyboard, and mouse, and occasionally lift, pull/push, and carry up to 20 pounds with accommodations.
Work Conditions
Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds at a low or moderate level consistent with an office setting. Exposure to high-stress, fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. Travel to other BKF locations and client sites may be required.
BENEFITS
- The typical base salary range for this position is $174,000.00 - $250,078.00, annualized depending upon skills, experience, education, and geographical location. This is a salary position paid biweekly
- Competitive salaries, profit sharing, and 401k
- Generous paid time off packages
- 9 Paid Holidays
- Flexible schedules
- Education reimbursement, Paid annual dues for professional and societal organizations
- BKF offers competitive and award-winning benefits and perks. To learn more click here.
BKF provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. BKF does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and a specific solicitation for the position or other approved engagement request for the position with BKF, BKF reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited submittals are done at the risk of the recruiter.
Tips for Finding Business Development Lead Jobs at BKF Engineers
Align your credentials with specialty occupation standards
Business Development roles at engineering consultancies can face USCIS scrutiny over whether the position qualifies as a specialty occupation. Document how your degree in civil engineering, urban planning, or a related field directly underpins the technical client work BKF Engineers pursues.
Target BKF offices pursuing active infrastructure projects
BKF Engineers operates across California and the Pacific Northwest, with pipelines tied to land development and public infrastructure. Researching which regional office has active project pursuits helps you apply where business development hiring demand is highest.
Browse BKF's open roles through Migrate Mate
Filter Business Development Lead openings at BKF Engineers by visa sponsorship eligibility on Migrate Mate. This lets you confirm which postings are currently active and prioritize applications to the office locations most likely to initiate a sponsorship filing.
Prepare for a longer sponsorship timeline upfront
EB-2 and EB-3 Green Card sponsorship through PERM requires DOL-approved recruitment documentation before USCIS filing begins. That process typically takes one to two years from offer acceptance, so negotiate start dates and any status bridge strategy with HR early.
Clarify sponsorship scope before accepting an offer
Ask BKF's HR team directly whether the offer includes Green Card sponsorship or only work authorization maintenance. Consulting firms sometimes distinguish between the two, and confirming the full scope in writing prevents gaps between your current status expiring and an I-140 approval.
Leverage professional engineer client networks in your application
BKF's Business Development Leads are expected to cultivate relationships with municipal agencies, developers, and land use consultants. Demonstrating an existing professional network in California infrastructure or Bay Area development markets addresses the practical hiring bar beyond just visa eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does BKF Engineers sponsor H-1B visas for Business Development Leads?
BKF Engineers' documented sponsorship activity for Business Development Leads sits primarily in the employment-based Green Card categories rather than H-1B visa. If you're already in H-1B status through a prior employer, BKF may be open to a transfer, but you should raise H-1B sponsorship explicitly during the offer stage and confirm their position in writing before accepting.
Which visa types are commonly used for Business Development Lead roles at BKF Engineers?
BKF Engineers has sponsored employment-based Green Cards, specifically EB-2 and EB-3, for professional roles including Business Development functions. EB-3 is the more common pathway for roles where a bachelor's degree in a related field is the primary qualification, while EB-2 applies when the position requires an advanced degree or equivalent expertise in engineering or planning disciplines.
What qualifications and experience does BKF Engineers expect for Business Development Leads?
BKF Engineers looks for candidates with a background in civil engineering, land development consulting, or a related technical discipline, combined with demonstrated experience cultivating client relationships in public agency or private development markets. Familiarity with infrastructure project pursuits in California or the Pacific Northwest, and the ability to lead proposals and manage client pipelines, are recurring expectations across their postings.
How do I apply for Business Development Lead jobs at BKF Engineers?
You can find and apply for Business Development Lead openings at BKF Engineers through Migrate Mate, which filters jobs by visa sponsorship eligibility so you can confirm sponsorship is on the table before applying. When you apply, tailor your materials to BKF's project sectors, specifically land development, civil infrastructure, and municipal work, since generic consulting resumes rarely advance past screening.
How do I plan my timeline if BKF Engineers sponsors my Green Card?
Green Card sponsorship through PERM and USCIS typically spans one to two years from the start of the DOL recruitment process to I-140 approval, and longer if your priority date is backlogged under EB-3. If you're on a time-limited status like OPT or H-1B, discuss bridging strategies with BKF's HR and an immigration attorney early, since PERM cannot be initiated until after you start employment.