Business Development

Company Overview:

Barnhill Contracting Company’s success is built on the values, principles and vision of the man – Robert E. Barnhill, Sr. – whose name we proudly bear.  Robert Barnhill built this company on a foundational belief that there is power in people. He was a motivator. A hard worker. A leader of leaders. His passion for people and his firm belief in the Golden Rule – treating others as you want to be treated – still drive us today. We are firm, flexible and honest. We do the right thing, every single time. We empower our leaders in the field to be decision makers. We are easy to work with – a core philosophy that is both intentional and deliberate. One that requires discipline. Grit. All of these qualities, along with our founder’s vision, have helped grow Barnhill Contracting Company into one of the Southeast’s leading contractors.

Our success is built from the dedicated service of each and every one of our employees. Construction is hard work – long hours and immense pressure to meet critical deadlines – and we are proud to employ the most talented group of people in the industry. When you join the Barnhill team, you become part of the Barnhill Family.

Job Description:

Lead, direct, and oversee business development and marketing efforts, in coordination with the Director of Communications, for the Civil Group, including strategic planning and market positioning. Research, analyze, identify, and prioritize grading and paving opportunities – with input from Group and Division management, clients, delivery methods, and strategic partners that align with the division’s strengths and operational capacity. Lead pursuit strategy development, qualification statements, proposal and interview efforts by effectively utilizing internal resources. Partner closely with estimating, operations, and leadership to position the Group for successful project awards and profitable execution. 

Drive a relationship‑oriented approach to business development, recognizing that sustainable success is built on trust, credibility, and long‑term partnerships rather than transactional wins. Ensure all actions align with the mission, vision, and values of Barnhill Contracting Company. 

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop a deep understanding of the company’s history, structure, leadership, and operations, with a strong appreciation for how our people drive success, and effectively communicate these strengths to clients and industry partners to position the company for new opportunities.

• Responsible for data mining client and market needs to identify buying issues, procurement trends, and upcoming grading and paving opportunities. Lead project pursuits by establishing and maintaining clear pursuit strategies, goals, and win themes for pursuit teams. Maintain in‑depth knowledge of RFP/RFQ (Request for Proposal/Request for Qualifications) requirements, delivery methods DBB, DB, CM/GC, Progressive Design Build, scope challenges, and competitive landscape. Organize and synthesize information through completion of a Key Issues Analysis (KIA). Assess RFP requirements/challenges, and who/how to best solve them. Organize data through completion of a Key Issues Analysis (KIA).  

• Identify, research, and qualify targeted pursuits that best align with the Civil Group’s strengths, resources, and strategic goals. Prepare and present pursuit recommendations—including risk, opportunity, and competitive analysis—to executive and division leadership for go/no‑go decisions. Track opportunities, contacts, and pursuits in CRM systems. 

• Lead coordination and planning during the pursuit and RFP phase, collaborating with operations, estimating, and technical teams to develop constructability concepts, phasing and traffic control strategies, production schedules, equipment and labor approaches, pricing strategies, and compliance with special RFP requirements. 

• Assist in the development of messaging and strategy in partnership with the Communications Director and Group/Division leadership, for proposals, presentations, qualification packages, and targeted marketing collateral. Provide oversight of proposal production and coach presentation teams to clearly communicate value, differentiate capabilities, and tell a compelling story tailored to grading and paving clients. 

• Build and cultivate strong relationships with a broad sphere of influencers, including public and private Owners, DOTs, municipalities, developers, general contractors, engineers, architects, inspectors, suppliers, and industry partners relevant to grading and paving markets. 

• Develop and maintain a targeted client and partner list, working closely with senior management to profile key accounts and strategic relationships. Implement and execute plans to deepen relationships, increase visibility, and position the division early for upcoming opportunities. 

• Support implementation of the Community Engagement Plan and help maintain accountability across the division. Promote positive internal collaboration and external relationships across all divisions and departments of Barnhill Contracting Company, including support to sale FOB (Asphalt Sales), mergers and acquisitions, and successful post-merger integration into the company’s civil leadership structure, strengthening the company’s reputation with clients, partners, and the communities it serves. 

Minimum Qualifications & Training: 

• Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree and relevant training and work experience preferred. 

• Work Experience:

  • Managed full lifecycle of construction projects, collaborating with field teams, estimators, and clients to ensure successful delivery 

  • Identified and pursued new business opportunities through market research, client outreach, and industry networking 

  • Led pursuit efforts including strategy development, proposal creation, and client presentations 

  • Built strong relationships with owners, engineers, developers, and subcontractors to drive repeat business and long-term partnerships 

  • Collaborated with operations and estimating to develop competitive pricing and project approaches during RFP/RFQ processes 

  • Maintained and tracked sales pipeline and client interactions through CRM systems 

  • Supported contract negotiations and project award process, ensuring alignment between client expectations and operational capabilities 

• Required License/Certification: NC Driver License

• Travel Requirements: Must be able to travel as needed.

• Business/Technical Knowledge: 

• Computer Skills:

  • Word

  • Excel

  • Outlook

  • PowerPoint

  • CRM Software

  • Bluebeam

  • Procore

• Technical Skills:

  • Understanding market conditions and trends 

  • Coaching presentations and public speaking 

  • Assessing competition – strengths and weaknesses 

  • Construction technology, equipment, means & methods 

  • Group and Division markets 

  • Pipeline tracking and opportunity management 

  • Lead generation and market research tools 

  • RFP/RFQ process management 

  • Proposal development and pursuit strategy 

  • Contract negotiation support 

• Personal Skills:

  • Ability to build strong working relationships.

  • Ability to demonstrate a high level of integrity and establish a proactive approach to Values Based Leadership

  • Strategic Thinker

  • Follow through and organization

  • High Level of emotional intelligence

• Behavioral Requirements:  Daily commitment to Barnhill's values:

  • Commitment- individual ownership to achieve team success.

  • Family-sense of belonging

  • Integrity- uncompromising character that earns trust and respect.

  • Learning and development-investing in employees to enable their long-term success.

  • Diversity- open and adaptable to a changing world

What We Offer:

• Choice of Health Insurance options (BCBSNC)
• Dental
• Vision
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Pay
• Weather Related Pay
• 401(k) and Profit Sharing
• CareOne (EAP)
• Corporate Chaplains of America

Barnhill Contracting Company is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.