Client Development Director

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm. We plan, design, permit, mitigate, and restore for projects across our communities, infrastructure systems, open spaces, and wildlands. We are 50 years strong in 21 offices across California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Southeastern United States.

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is seeking a strategic, client-focused Client Development Director to join our senior leadership team. This is a high-impact role responsible for leading client and business development strategy across multiple market sectors and practices, both regionally and firmwide. The ideal candidate is a seasoned business development professional with deep industry knowledge, a strong network, and a passion for driving growth through meaningful client engagement. This is predominantly an external, client-facing role focused on attracting new clients and expanding ESA’s project and contract opportunities. Your success will be driven by your expertise, your network of business, industry, and agency contacts, and your proactive engagement in federal environmental regulatory policy, legislation, and funding. You will translate this insight into actionable intelligence for ESA and our clients. The utilization (billable hours) expectation for this role is 50%. This position will be based in Sarasota, FL.

Who You Are 

• 15-20+ years of professional experience in a relevant field.
• 10+ years of experience in client targeting, acquisition, and retention.
• Graduate degree in environmental science, planning, or a related interdisciplinary field.
• Proven leadership in business development and strategic growth.
• Strong organizational, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to pass federal and state background checks for project-based assignments.

What You Will Do for ESA

As a Client Development Director, you will:

• Provide strategic business development leadership for your region, with influence and collaboration extending across the firm.
• Partner with regional and firmwide leadership to plan and drive strategic growth initiatives.
• Lead the development and execution of an annual strategic growth and client development action plan in collaboration with the Regional Director and other business development leaders.
• Work independently with limited direction from executive leadership, Practice Leaders, and Regional Directors.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Growth

• Lead strategic pursuits, go/no-go decisions, and key capture planning.
• Collaborate with internal teams to align business development strategies with ESA’s 5-Year Strategic Plan.
• Drive initiatives to improve project acquisition processes and profitability.

Client Engagement & Market Expansion

• Cultivate and expand relationships with key clients, industry partners, and agencies.
• Identify and pursue new markets, geographies, and service areas.
• Represent ESA at industry events, conferences, and professional associations.

Team Collaboration & Mentorship

• Mentor and coach staff on business development best practices.
• Support strategic hiring and retention efforts.
• Promote a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.

Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

• Champion equitable and inclusive practices in client development and team collaboration.
• Engage in community and ESA-sponsored diversity initiatives.
• Foster partnerships with disadvantaged business enterprises.

What’s Special About ESA

Joining ESA means becoming part of a close-knit team of environmental professionals who contribute to outstanding projects, improve environmental stewardship, and advance a more sustainable and resilient future for our communities and wild places.

At ESA, we provide benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance (paid at 70% for you AND your family), annual allocations of company share through our ESOP, a 401(k) plan with company match,