Business Development Lead, Gulf Coast Refining & Petrochemical

Business Development Lead, Gulf Coast Refining & Petrochemical

Help shape the next chapter of Gulf Coast industry

The Gulf Coast is one of the world's most important refining, petrochemical and industrial corridors. Its operating facilities, infrastructure and ports are navigating aging assets, evolving environmental requirements, changing feedstocks and energy markets, capital investment, water constraints, asset transitions and increasing expectations for safe, reliable and sustainable operations.

GHD is looking for an experienced Business Development Lead, Refining & Petrochemical to expand our relationships and business across the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast.

This is a senior, market-facing growth role for someone who knows the industry, understands how owners make decisions, and has the relationships and credibility to create opportunities before they become RFPs.

You will build from GHD's established Gulf Coast client platform while opening new relationships across refiners, chemical and petrochemical manufacturers, terminals and associated industrial operators. Our existing Central portfolio already spans major energy and petrochemical organizations across Texas and Louisiana.

You will be backed by a global network of specialists across environmental, engineering, water, remediation, EHS, asset management, construction, digital, advisory, marine and energy capabilities.

Location: Houston, TX or Baton Rouge, LA

Travel: Regular client-facing travel throughout the Gulf Coast

Work model: Hybrid, with three days per week based in the office when not traveling for clients.

Working with an energetic and high performing team, this position offers a variety of work and will see you involved in:

Own Gulf Coast growth across refining and petrochemicals

• Develop and execute a focused growth strategy for refining, petrochemical, and chemical manufacturing clients across the Gulf Coast.
• Grow strategic existing accounts while identifying and opening high-value new accounts.
• Build trusted relationships with executives, environmental and EHS leaders, engineering and capital-project organizations, operations leaders, procurement teams and other key decision makers.
• Develop a strong pipeline of near-, mid- and long-term opportunities and actively advance them from early positioning through award.

Create opportunities, not simply respond to RFPs

• Use your industry network and market knowledge to identify client needs, capital plans, operational challenges and emerging opportunities early.
• Shape opportunities with clients before procurement begins.
• Lead account strategy, positioning and capture planning for strategic pursuits.
• Introduce GHD capabilities where they create meaningful client value rather than selling individual services in isolation.

Connect clients to the best of GHD

• Bring together the right technical and market leaders from across GHD to solve complex client challenges.
• Connect client needs to capabilities including environmental compliance and permitting, remediation, waste, water and wastewater, engineering, construction, asset management and transition, digital solutions, business advisory, emergency response, marine and coastal infrastructure, and energy.
• Build cross-service and cross-geography teams around strategic client opportunities.

Lead strategic accounts and pursuits

• Develop account plans and relationship maps for priority clients.
• Identify decision makers, influencers and emerging relationship gaps.
• Lead or support strategic pursuits, including capture strategy, teaming, proposal development and executive engagement.
• Maintain disciplined opportunity and relationship intelligence in Salesforce.
• Measure success through client engagement, qualified pipeline, account expansion, wins, backlog and revenue growth.

What success looks like

Within the first 12 months, the successful leader will have:

• Established senior-level relationships across priority Gulf Coast refining and petrochemical accounts;
• Expanded GHD's connectivity beyond existing contacts into operations, environmental/EHS, engineering, capital projects and executive leadership;
• Created a visible, credible multi-year opportunity pipeline;
• Opened new strategic accounts and expanded services within existing clients;
• Become a trusted internal connector who brings the right GHD expertise to client opportunities;
• Converted relationship development into measurable wins, backlog and revenue.

What you'll bring to the team

• 10+ years of experience in refining, petrochemical, chemical manufacturing or closely related Gulf Coast industrial markets, with significant client-facing or commercial responsibility.
• A strong network within Gulf Coast refiners, chemical/petrochemical manufacturers and/or major industrial operators.
• Demonstrated success developing executive relationships and converting those relationships into consulting, engineering, environmental, construction or professional-services opportunities.
• Strong understanding of refinery and petrochemical operating environments, including environmental/EHS requirements, asset integrity and lifecycle issues, capital programs, water/wastewater, remediation and industrial infrastructure.
• Experience developing account strategies and leading complex pursuits involving multiple technical disciplines.
• The credibility to engage both technical personnel and senior commercial/operating executives.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, environmental science, geology, chemistry, business or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant industry experience. 

Especially valuable experience

Experience working with or selling services to organizations such as Phillips 66, Valero, CITGO, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, Marathon Petroleum, LyondellBasell, BASF, Chevron Phillips Chemical, Westlake or comparable Gulf Coast operators would be highly relevant to the target market. GHD's internal client portfolio already includes several of those refining and chemical/petrochemical relationships, so a candidate with adjacent connectivity could build from an existing platform rather than starting cold.

#LI-TW1

Hybrid Work: Our workplace thrives on a hybrid model, combining in-office collaboration and flexibility. Join us in the office, three days a week, to contribute, connect, and excel in our vibrant environment.

The salary range for this position will be determined by GHD locations in its major city centers. At GHD, base salary is determined by your skills, experience, qualifications and work location. We are committed to offering competitive compensation and adhering to all relevant pay transparency legislation.  

Take on some of the world’s toughest challenges - with everyone at GHD backing you every step of the way. We'll give you control over your career, empower you to find innovative solutions and help you create a lasting impact. See where your commitment could take you with GHD. 

As a multicultural organization, we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status or veteran status.