Business Development Specialist

Role Description The Business Development Specialist is a full-time, on-site role based in Oakville, ON. This role is responsible for identifying and qualifying new business opportunities, including lead generation through research, outreach, and networking in the engineering and construction sectors. The specialist will prepare and deliver presentations, proposals, and capability statements, and support responses to RFPs, RFQs, and design-build or P3 opportunities. Daily activities include conducting market research, tracking industry trends, and maintaining an organized pipeline of prospects in a CRM or similar system. The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying bid opportunities on platforms such as MERX, NBON, and other procurement portals, and coordinating the preparation of technical and commercial proposals in collaboration with the engineering and management teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Monitor and identify relevant tender and bid opportunities through MERX, NBON, and other public or private procurement portals.
• Assess markets, evaluate opportunities, interpret data, and prioritize prospects.
• Review Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Quotations (RFQs), and Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to assess scope, requirements, and eligibility.
• Prepare high-quality technical and commercial proposals, including drafting technical approaches, project methodologies, team qualifications, and past project experience.
• Coordinate input from various departments, engineers, and consultants to compile complete submission packages.
• Develop and maintain standard proposal templates, company profiles, project sheets, and resumes.
• Manage submission deadlines to ensure timely delivery of proposals.
• Communicate with clients, agencies, and procurement officers to clarify bid requirements or submission procedures.
• Assist in developing pricing strategies in collaboration with senior management.
• Maintain a database of submitted bids, outcomes, and lessons learned for continuous improvement.
• Support marketing and business development initiatives as needed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor degree or a Master's degree in Science or Engineering field and/or a degree in Business or Management
• 2+ years of experience in proposal preparation, bidding, or related project coordination roles.
• Familiarity with public procurement systems such as MERX, Biddingo, or similar platforms.
• Excellent technical writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities, with experience managing multiple deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); experience with Adobe Acrobat is an asset.
• Knowledge of engineering and construction terminology and processes.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Strong Analytical Skills to assess markets, evaluate opportunities, interpret data, and prioritize prospects.
• Excellent Communication abilities, including clear written proposals, presentations, and professional verbal communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead Generation experience, including prospecting, outreach, networking, and nurturing relationships in B2B or professional services environments.
• Market Research skills to gather and analyze information on competitors, trends, industry sectors, and potential clients.
• Customer Service skills to manage client inquiries, follow up proactively, and support a positive client experience throughout the business development cycle.
• Post-secondary education in business, marketing, engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Familiarity with engineering, construction, or professional services environments (structural or civil sectors considered an asset).
• Proficiency with CRM software and productivity tools (e.g., spreadsheets, presentations, and document preparation).
• Ability to work on-site in Oakville, ON, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision.