Development Manager Jobs in Iowa
Development Manager jobs in Iowa concentrate in technology, financial services, nonprofit development, and higher education, with demand at levels from mid-career team lead to senior director. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City are the most active hiring metros, anchored by employers such as Principal Financial Group, Nationwide, and the University of Iowa. Fundraising and community development, software delivery management, and product development leadership are the specialties drawing the most consistent openings statewide. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Exo Group, LLC has been protecting public infrastructure across the U.S. since 2009. Without consistent maintenance and quality assurance, critical assets face a growing risk of failure over time. Exo delivers engineering, inspection, and remediation services for lighting poles, transmission towers, and other infrastructure exposed to ongoing wear from usage, aging, and environmental conditions.
With deep expertise in vertical infrastructure, Exo builds on years of engineering design and fabrication experience across utilities, telecom, transportation, and retail sectors. This foundation supports a comprehensive inspection and asset management approach that addresses both new installations and aging structures requiring immediate attention.
Recognizing that full replacement is often impractical due to cost and safety constraints,
Exo developed its “Ex-Tend” approach to manage assets throughout their entire life cycle. From initial quality assurance to ongoing inspection and targeted repairs, this method is designed to extend service life and improve reliability. Supported by data-driven insights, Exo helps clients monitor asset conditions and make informed, strategic decisions.
Position Overview: The Business Development Manager is responsible for identifying, developing, and implementing growth opportunities for the company. This role involves strategic planning, market analysis, and relationship building to drive revenue and expand the business's market presence. The Business Development Manager collaborates with internal teams to execute business plans and achieve organizational objectives.
Key Responsibilities:
- Identify and pursue new business opportunities through market research, networking, and relationship building.
- Conduct comprehensive prospecting efforts using industry databases, market intelligence tools, and targeted outreach strategies.
- Evaluate potential opportunities for strategic alignment, revenue potential, and long-term partnership value.
- Proactively build and maintain a robust sales pipeline aligned with company growth targets.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, partners, and stakeholders to understand their needs and preferences.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for key accounts, ensuring high satisfaction and ongoing engagement.
- Facilitate regular communication and business reviews to uncover new opportunities and strengthen partnerships.
- Utilize CRM tools to document interactions, track relationship health, and ensure continuity across teams.
- Create and implement strategic sales plans to achieve revenue targets and expand the company’s market presence.
- Establish clear goals, milestones, and timelines for business development initiatives.
- Use data-driven insights to prioritize target markets, customer segments, and potential partnerships.
- Align sales strategy with organizational objectives, product capabilities, and competitive positioning.
- Lead negotiations and close deals with clients, ensuring mutually beneficial agreements.
- Prepare pricing strategies, contract terms, and proposals that reflect client needs and company standards.
- Manage the negotiation process from initial discussions through contract execution, addressing risks and concerns proactively.
- Collaborate with legal, finance, and leadership to ensure agreements are compliant and commercially sound.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, product development, and operations, to support the successful execution of business plans.
- Provide client feedback and market insights to inform product enhancements or new service offerings.
- Partner with marketing to create targeted campaigns, messaging, and content that support lead generation and brand awareness.
- Work closely with operations and delivery teams to ensure seamless onboarding and service delivery for new clients.
- Conduct market analysis, monitor industry trends, and assess competitor activities to identify growth opportunities and mitigate risks.
- Track market dynamics, emerging technologies, regulatory changes, and economic trends that influence customer needs.
- Analyze competitor offerings, pricing, and strategies to identify areas of differentiation and competitive advantage.
- Generate actionable insights and recommendations to guide strategic planning and resource allocation.
- Prepare and deliver presentations, proposals, and reports to communicate business plans, progress, and results to senior management.
- Develop high-quality pitch decks, ROI analyses, and business cases tailored to diverse audiences.
- Present pipeline updates, forecasted revenues, and market intelligence during executive meetings.
- Maintain clear documentation of activities, results, and strategic recommendations.
- Stay updated on industry developments, regulations, and best practices to inform strategic decision-making and maintain a competitive edge.
- Participate in training, professional development, and ongoing research to stay informed about evolving trends.
- Evaluate emerging tools, technologies, and methodologies that could enhance sales effectiveness or customer engagement.
- Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards and legal requirements when pursuing new opportunities.
- Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and trade shows to promote brand awareness and foster new business relationships.
- Prepare speaking points, marketing materials, and networking strategies to maximize event engagement.
- Conduct follow-up conversations and nurture leads generated from events to convert them into active opportunities.
- Act as a brand ambassador, communicating the company’s value proposition with professionalism and credibility.
Qualifications and Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or related field; MBA preferred.
- Proven national experience in business development, sales, or related roles, with a track record of achieving revenue targets and driving business growth.
- Direct experience selling inspection products and services.
- Strong understanding of market dynamics, industry trends, and customer behaviors.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
- Strategic thinker with analytical abilities and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite and CRM software.
- Willingness to travel as needed for client meetings, conferences, and business-related events.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to travel as needed for client meetings, conferences, and other business-related events.
- Capacity to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Proficiency in using standard office equipment and software, including computers, phones, and presentation tools.
- Capability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, including public speaking and presentation skills.
Mental Requirements:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to assess complex business challenges and develop effective solutions.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence to build rapport with clients and collaborate with internal teams.
- Resilience and adaptability to navigate uncertainties and overcome obstacles in a dynamic business environment.
- Strategic thinking and forward-planning abilities to anticipate market trends and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
- Leadership qualities to inspire and motivate team members towards common goals and objectives.
- Attention to detail and accuracy in managing data, contracts, and other business documents.
FLSA Status: Exempt
Pay Range: $65-110,000. Annual
Reports To: Director, Business Development
Benefits:
Exo offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Accounts
- Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment
- Short Term and Long-Term Disability
- Accident, Hospital Indemnity and Critical Illness
- 401k with company match
- PTO
- 10 paid holidays
This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not exhaustive of all duties, responsibilities, or physical and mental requirements. Additional tasks may be assigned as deemed appropriate by management.
Exo is committed to equal employment opportunity. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
See All 24 Development Manager Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Development Manager JobsDevelopment Manager Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Development Manager Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
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What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in development manager jobs across Iowa.
- Bachelor's degree in business, computer science, nonprofit management, or a related field
- Five or more years of progressive experience in a relevant development or project function
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams and managing full project lifecycles
- Proficiency with project management tools such as Jira, Salesforce, or equivalent platforms
- Strong stakeholder communication skills including reporting to executive leadership
- Experience with budget management, grant administration, or revenue development strategies
Development Manager Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a development manager in Iowa?
Most Iowa employers require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field plus several years of direct experience before promoting or hiring someone into a development manager role. Iowa does not issue a state license specific to this title, so the path runs through education, demonstrated results in development or project work, and often a credential such as a PMP certification or a CFRE for nonprofit fundraising roles. Iowa's major universities, community colleges, and employers in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids regularly post both entry-level development roles and manager-track positions.
How much do development managers make in Iowa?
Development managers in Iowa earn a median of about $128,080 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $61,280 for the lowest 10% to over $218,790 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire development managers in Iowa?
Iowa development manager roles are posted by QTS, LCS, and Emerson and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Iowa's financial services corridor in Des Moines and its established nonprofit and healthcare sectors generate particularly consistent demand for this role.
Which Iowa cities have the most development manager jobs?
Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, and Dubuque account for the highest concentration of development manager openings in Iowa. Des Moines drives the largest share through its dense cluster of insurance and financial services headquarters, while Cedar Rapids and Iowa City contribute through manufacturing operations, university-affiliated institutions, and regional healthcare systems that each maintain dedicated development or project management functions.
Are there remote development manager jobs in Iowa?
Yes, and they are fairly common for this role, since much of a development manager's work involves planning, communication, and oversight that translates well to remote settings. About 67% of development manager openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting national trends in knowledge-work management. Strategy, reporting, and stakeholder coordination duties are the functions most often performed fully remotely.
How can I get hired as a development manager in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into a coordinator or associate-level development role first, then building toward management over two to three years. Large Iowa employers such as Principal Financial Group, MercyOne, and United Way chapters across the state hire development coordinators, project coordinators, and fund development associates who grow into manager roles. A PMP certification or enrollment in a project management program through the University of Iowa or Iowa State University signals readiness to advance. Candidates transitioning from adjacent roles in sales operations, grant writing, or business analysis are competitive applicants for junior development positions.
Where can I find and apply to development manager jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to development manager jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings updated in real time. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your background and goals, and apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 24 Development Manager Jobs in Iowa
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