Business Development Leader-Airports Market (California)

About the role

ESA seeks a dynamic and experienced Business Development Leader to join our leadership team. This role will provide strategic leadership for our Airports Market in California and support ESA’s national growth.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the California Airport market sub lead, collaborating with the Market Leader (ML), Practice Leaders (PLs) and Business Group Directors (BGDs) to develop a regional growth strategy to elevate client service.
• Lead business development efforts to secure new projects, expand the client base, and build long-term partnerships.
• Cultivate and maintain strong client relationships with airport operators, public agencies, teaming partners, and private developers.
• Collaborate with marketing and proposal teams to create compelling proposals and presentations.
• Actively participate in our Airports Market Development Team meetings to advance regional and national market initiatives.
• Promote industry leadership through conference speaking opportunities, articles, and blogs.
• Identify and recruit key staff to support market growth.
• Serve as a key client manager and strategic advisor on CEQA/NEPA/regulatory permitting compliance for regional and national clients.
• Promote the full range of ESA’s services to Aviation Market clients.
• Direct and support regional and national Airports projects, leveraging resources effectively.
• Ensure proactive project management, risk management, and quality control principles are implemented to optimize client service and project performance.
• Mentor and train staff to build client service and business development capacity and foster a consultancy and continual learning mindset.
• Work with ESA’s senior CEQA/NEPA practitioners to share expertise and elevate ESA’s CEQA/NEPA profile.

Requirements

You are a confident, approachable leader with 15 or more years of relevant professional experience who thrives on building long-term relationships with clients and colleagues.

You value people and enjoy providing strategic advice and technical support to clients and professional mentorship to colleagues.

You are a recognized expert in the aviation industry and have experience working on a variety of environmental projects in the aviation sector in California. You are highly skilled at implementing FAA and state regulatory guidance, preparing environmental documents, and effectively working with the FAA and Airport Sponsors on project implementation strategies. You are a creative problem solver who can adapt quickly to changes or challenges and identify a constructive path forward.

You are a collaborative communicator who maintains high standards and sets a respectful, positive example for others. You have prepared business, strategic or capture plans, and have comprehensive knowledge of project management, financial management, and industry best practices.

You hold a bachelor’s or graduate degree in environmental, engineering, planning, aviation or a related field and a strong desire to continue to learn and grow in the aviation industry.

Able to pass a 10-year background check for project-based assignments.

Able to travel to client sites and to attend industry meetings.

Qualifications

You are a confident, approachable leader with 15 or more years of relevant professional experience who thrives on building long-term relationships with clients and colleagues.

You value people and enjoy providing strategic advice and technical support to clients and professional mentorship to colleagues.

You are a recognized expert in the aviation industry and have experience working on a variety of environmental projects in the aviation sector in California. You are highly skilled at implementing FAA and state regulatory guidance, preparing environmental documents, and effectively working with the FAA and Airport Sponsors on project implementation strategies. You are a creative problem solver who can adapt quickly to changes or challenges and identify a constructive path forward.

You are a collaborative communicator who maintains high standards and sets a respectful, positive example for others. You have prepared business, strategic or capture plans, and have comprehensive knowledge of project management, financial management, and industry best practices.

You hold a bachelor’s or graduate degree in environmental, engineering, planning, aviation or a related field and a strong desire to continue to learn and grow in the aviation industry.

Able to pass a 10-year background check for project-based assignments.

Able to travel to client sites and to attend industry meetings.

Skills

You are a recognized expert in the aviation industry and have experience working on a variety of environmental projects in the aviation sector in California. You are highly skilled at implementing FAA and state regulatory guidance, preparing environmental documents, and effectively working with the FAA and Airport Sponsors on project implementation strategies. You are a creative problem solver who can adapt quickly to changes or challenges and identify a constructive path forward.

You are a collaborative communicator who maintains high standards and sets a respectful, positive example for others. You have prepared business, strategic or capture plans, and have comprehensive knowledge of project management, financial management, and industry best practices.

Benefits

ESA provides medical, dental, and vision insurance (paid at 70% for you and your family), annual allocations of company shares through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), a 401(k) plan with company match, and paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

ESA has established multiple pay ranges tailored to the economic factors in the geographies in which ESA staff reside. For this position, the range is approximately as listed based on our anticipated hiring locations as noted in the above job details. Actual compensation is determined by several factors including but not limited to an individual’s related experience, education, skills, and the city in which the applicant lives.

Pay

$165,000 - $220,000 USD

Schedule

This will be a hybrid position based out of one of ESA’s California offices (Los Angeles, Irvine, San Diego, Pasadena, San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, San Jose, Petaluma).