Director of Business Development
Challenger Partners, Waco, TX, United States
About Challenger Partners
Challenger Partners is a private equity‑backed holding company focused on acquiring and scaling essential trades businesses across Texas. Our MEP platform encompasses plumbing and HVAC operations serving both residential and commercial customers, with a concentration in the high‑growth Central Texas market including the Waco metro area. We build durable businesses by investing in people, systems, and market presence.
Role Overview The Director of Business Development is a newly created, high‑impact role responsible for driving revenue growth across Challenger Partners' MEP platform. This person will own the commercial pipeline — from identifying opportunities in the residential and commercial markets to closing contracts that fuel our portfolio companies' expansion. You will work closely with company leadership and operational teams to align sales strategy with capacity and ensure we are winning the right work.
What You'll Do
Develop and execute a business development strategy across the MEP platform, targeting commercial construction, property management, residential growth, and service agreement channels
Build and maintain relationships with general contractors, developers, property managers, facility operators, and municipal contacts throughout Central Texas
Source and respond to bid opportunities through platforms including BuildingConnected, ConstructConnect, Texas SmartBuy, and direct customer relationships
Lead the bid and proposal process in coordination with estimating and operations teams — ensuring we submit competitive, profitable proposals
Identify and pursue service agreement and preventive maintenance contract opportunities to build recurring revenue
Represent the platform at industry events, trade associations, and community organizations to expand brand awareness and referral networks
Track pipeline activity, win/loss trends, and market intelligence — providing regular reporting to Challenger Partners leadership
Partner with company operators to align incoming work with crew capacity and project type fit
Support M&A prospecting by identifying owner‑operated businesses that may be acquisition candidates
Requirements
3+ years of business development, sales, or estimating experience in the MEP, construction, or specialty trades industry
Established relationships with general contractors, developers, or commercial real estate operators in Central Texas — or the ability to build them quickly
Working knowledge of the commercial construction bid process, including use of platforms such as BuildingConnected, iSqFt, or similar
Strong communicator and relationship builder — comfortable calling on executives, project managers, and field supervisors alike
Commercially minded with an understanding of job costing, margin expectations, and the economics of trades businesses
Self‑starter with the ability to manage a pipeline independently, prioritize high‑probability opportunities, and close
Proficiency with CRM tools and a disciplined approach to tracking activity and forecasting
Familiarity with residential service, HVAC, or plumbing operations is a plus
Required Location: Central Texas — primarily serving McLennan County and surrounding markets. Travel to portfolio company locations and customer sites is expected. Home office flexibility with regular in‑market presence required
Benefits
Competitive base salary plus commission/bonus structure tied to revenue performance
The opportunity to grow with a platform that is actively acquiring and scaling businesses — with real upside for the person who builds the sales function
Close partnership with company operators and Challenger Partners leadership — your wins directly impact the business
Central Texas market focus with strong brand recognition across Waco and surrounding counties
Benefits including health insurance, paid time off, and professional development support
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Role Overview The Director of Business Development is a newly created, high‑impact role responsible for driving revenue growth across Challenger Partners' MEP platform. This person will own the commercial pipeline — from identifying opportunities in the residential and commercial markets to closing contracts that fuel our portfolio companies' expansion. You will work closely with company leadership and operational teams to align sales strategy with capacity and ensure we are winning the right work.
What You'll Do
Develop and execute a business development strategy across the MEP platform, targeting commercial construction, property management, residential growth, and service agreement channels
Build and maintain relationships with general contractors, developers, property managers, facility operators, and municipal contacts throughout Central Texas
Source and respond to bid opportunities through platforms including BuildingConnected, ConstructConnect, Texas SmartBuy, and direct customer relationships
Lead the bid and proposal process in coordination with estimating and operations teams — ensuring we submit competitive, profitable proposals
Identify and pursue service agreement and preventive maintenance contract opportunities to build recurring revenue
Represent the platform at industry events, trade associations, and community organizations to expand brand awareness and referral networks
Track pipeline activity, win/loss trends, and market intelligence — providing regular reporting to Challenger Partners leadership
Partner with company operators to align incoming work with crew capacity and project type fit
Support M&A prospecting by identifying owner‑operated businesses that may be acquisition candidates
Requirements
3+ years of business development, sales, or estimating experience in the MEP, construction, or specialty trades industry
Established relationships with general contractors, developers, or commercial real estate operators in Central Texas — or the ability to build them quickly
Working knowledge of the commercial construction bid process, including use of platforms such as BuildingConnected, iSqFt, or similar
Strong communicator and relationship builder — comfortable calling on executives, project managers, and field supervisors alike
Commercially minded with an understanding of job costing, margin expectations, and the economics of trades businesses
Self‑starter with the ability to manage a pipeline independently, prioritize high‑probability opportunities, and close
Proficiency with CRM tools and a disciplined approach to tracking activity and forecasting
Familiarity with residential service, HVAC, or plumbing operations is a plus
Required Location: Central Texas — primarily serving McLennan County and surrounding markets. Travel to portfolio company locations and customer sites is expected. Home office flexibility with regular in‑market presence required
Benefits
Competitive base salary plus commission/bonus structure tied to revenue performance
The opportunity to grow with a platform that is actively acquiring and scaling businesses — with real upside for the person who builds the sales function
Close partnership with company operators and Challenger Partners leadership — your wins directly impact the business
Central Texas market focus with strong brand recognition across Waco and surrounding counties
Benefits including health insurance, paid time off, and professional development support
#J-18808-Ljbffr