Business Development Director – Water Utilities

NW Natural

Business Development Director leading opportunities in water utilities across the Western U.S. for NW Natural Water, focusing on relationships with public and private sector utilities.

Posted 7/24/2026full-timePortland • Oregon • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $170,100 - $251,550 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive experience in business development and relationship management within the water and wastewater sectors, with strong analytical skills for evaluating investment opportunities and developing strategic proposals. Proven ability to collaborate across functional teams and negotiate complex agreements while maintaining stakeholder interests.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Business DevelopmentRelationship ManagementNegotiation SkillsAnalytical SkillsUtilities Industry Knowledge

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Financial AnalysisRisk AnalysisPro Forma AnalysisProject DevelopmentMarket Intelligence

Soft Skills

Interpersonal SkillsCollaborationAttention to DetailSelf-DirectionTenacity

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft OutlookMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft PowerPoint

Industry Keywords

Water IndustryWastewater SectorPublic-Private PartnershipsInvestor-Owned UtilitiesHome-Owners Associations

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Initiate and manage relationships with key industry participants, including private sector investor-owned utilities, real estate developers, and public sector water/wastewater entities such as home-owners associations, districts, authorities, and municipalities
Develop relationships with state and county agencies including water and wastewater regulators to introduce the NW Natural Water business model and identify potential partnership candidates
Lead and manage all due diligence activities and evaluative analysis
Create regional business plans, target lists, and outreach campaigns for approaching the market
Represent stakeholder interests in the development of proposals to meet stakeholder expectations in balance with NW Natural Water’s business goals
Draft, structure, and negotiate proposals for water and wastewater projects, including acquisitions, development projects, joint ventures and/or public-private partnerships, in collaboration with the business development team.
Collaborate across internal and external teams, including engineering, finance, legal and regulatory, among others, to develop successful water/wastewater proposals and agreements
Work closely with NW Natural Water General Managers to develop and execute outreach activity
Develop and manage independent representatives to support origination goals, as necessary
Gather necessary information for the business development team to assess potential investment opportunities, including financial analysis, benefit and risk analysis, and pro forma impacts on shareholders, customers, and other key stakeholders
Gather, interpret, and summarize regional market intelligence and maintain accurate information about targets
Present business plans/strategies and selected investment opportunities to executives for approval

Requirements

What you’ll need

10 + years of well-proven business development, sales, infrastructure project development, or relationship management experience
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Master’s degree in business or engineering is desirable.
Qualitative and quantitative analytical skills, including ability to analyze a wide variety of business opportunities and technical considerations
Demonstrated ability to collaborate across functional groups within an organization
Demonstrated ability to self-direct, analyze, evaluate, form independent judgments, and achieve goals
Proven ability to build trusting and genuine relationships
Operates with a sense of urgency, with a solutions-oriented and creative approach
Demonstrated negotiation skills
Demonstrated tenacity to bring stakeholders through long and complex deal cycles
Understanding of utilities, water industry, public-private partnerships, privatization and/or related businesses preferred
Existing relationships with water and wastewater utility sectors (investor-owned utilities, districts, authorities, municipalities, consultants and/or contract operators) preferred
Excellent organizational and written/oral communication skills and a strong attention to detail
Ability and desire to travel 50%+ in region to achieve goals
Superb interpersonal skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Computer work, occasional lifting of less than 25 pounds

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health & Wellness – Rich health insurance benefits with competitive employer contribution
Free access to an online wellness resources platform
Work Life Balance - Start at 20 Vacation Days
80 Hours of Sick Time
13 paid holidays
3 weeks paid parental leave
Competitive 401K company contribution and match
15% discount on NW Natural stock through Employee Stock Purchase Program
Up to $5250 a year in tuition reimbursement