Business Development Lead - Petrochemical

About the role

The Central Region Market group at GHD is seeking a Relationship Manager to oversee the expansion of GHD’s presence in the Louisiana Gulf Coast. This position is based in Baton Rouge and involves managing and developing important client relationships, particularly in the energy sector, ports, and other industries.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop important client relationships with guidance from senior colleagues, or manage an account team delivering day-to-day support.
• Develop and implement relationship management plans for complex client accounts to identify and build relationships with relevant decision-makers and influencers within the client organization and to enable effective two-way flow of information and resolution of issues.
• Set clear objectives for each sales call or meeting; tailor standard materials to make presentations to decision-makers and influencers within the client organization; and ask relevant questions to gather information, to evaluate the client's level of interest, and to identify and respond to areas requiring further information or explanation.
• Present the organization's complex standard services that meet the client's needs with a clear rationale and at standard commercial terms, referring to senior colleagues where necessary to ask for concessions (e.g., price negotiation).
• Collaborate internally and work as the client champion in cross-functional teams to build strong external client relationships.
• Develop and implement a relationship management plan for potential client accounts to identify and build relationships with relevant decision-makers and influencers within the client organization and to enable effective two-way flow of information and resolution of issues.
• Enter client information that has been gathered through research and/or through direct client contact into the CRM system, to ensure that the organization has quality data to enable effective client retention and business development activities.
• Represent the organization at trade shows and other events to identify sales opportunities, promote the organization, and enhance its reputation.
• Maintain and renew a deep knowledge and understanding of the organization's policies and procedures and of relevant regulatory codes and codes of conduct, and ensure own work adheres to required standards.
• Develop own capabilities by participating in assessment and development planning activities as well as formal and informal training and coaching; gain or maintain external professional accreditation, where relevant, to improve performance and fulfill personal potential.
• Maintain an in-depth understanding of technology, external regulation, and industry best practices through ongoing education, attending conferences, and reading specialist media.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master’s Degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, or similar.
• Knowledge of key industries (energy, petrochemical, shipping/ports, manufacturing, and agriculture) and their drivers.
• Experience in client engagement and business development, with a track record of building relationships across government, industry, and community stakeholders.
• Familiarity with state and federal regulations (LDEQ, USACE, EPA, FERC, DOE, etc.).
• Proven ability to develop and execute market strategies.
• Seller/Doer with strong business development, proposal preparation and marketing skills.

Qualifications

• Full knowledge of Louisiana industries, along with a strong understanding of the client's objectives and challenges.
• Curiosity and a desire to shape communities in new, positive ways.

Skills

• Client Relationship Management
• Client Relationship Development
• Client Needs Clarification
• Sales Opportunities Creation
• Operational Compliance
• Personal Capability Building

Benefits

• 401K
• Paid time off
• Holiday Pay
• Wellness Benefit

Pay

Details about compensation are not specified in the job description.

Schedule

The role requires a hybrid model, combining in-office collaboration and flexibility. Employees are expected to work in the office three days a week.