FORTRESS Protective Buildings, LLC (FORTRESS) designs, engineers, and constructs multi-hazard resistant buildings and products to protect lives and assets in high-risk environments. As part of the BakerRisk family, we combine innovative engineering, safety expertise, and high-quality construction to deliver durable, protective solutions. At FORTRESS, we’re not just building structures—we’re building safety, strength, and trust.

Join the FORTRESS — Literally!

FORTRESS Protective Buildings is on the hunt for a Director of Business Development to help us build a pipeline as strong and resilient as our buildings. If you are high-energy and naturally inclined to show how innovative solutions can succeed rather than how they fail, we want you on our team in Houston, TX!

You, and others who know you, consider you a chameleon, able to mirror the environment you are in and communicate effectively with personnel in target companies from entry level employees to key executives. Did we say target companies? You will have the responsibility to identify and develop strategically selected relationships, driven by and intensely focused on listening and adapting to what a client needs. If a fast-paced, continuously adapting environment is scary for you, this role will not be a fit.

This is your chance to showcase how effective strategies can succeed rather than how they can fail. You will interface with BakerRisk’s Business Development and MarComm staff when appropriate and will lead FORTRESS marketing efforts in collaboration with our external marketing partner, HexaGroup. You will also be expected to have regular check-ins with our external Communications Specialist to ensure that you remain at the top of your game.

What You’ll Do:

• Wear many hats—FORTRESS has start-up energy.
• Conduct market research to identify potential clients and industry needs.
• Easily transition from high-risk industrial environments to residential applications.
• Represent the FORTRESS brand at events, industry conferences, and trade shows.
• Develop and execute a business development strategy with the ability to adapt and course correct as you move forward to hit corporate growth strategies.
• Develop company leading and lagging KPIs, track these KPIs, and report them regularly to senior leadership.
• Develop deep, strategically selected relationships focused on determining what a client needs.
• Engage with potential customers as a solver of problems, not a protective building supplier.
• Collaborate with BakerRisk Engineers on developing customer relationships and potential project solutions.
• Coordinate with FORTRESS’s external marketing partner and BakerRisk Business Development and Marcomms teams, as appropriate. OWN the marketing process.
• Conduct onsite visits to target client facilities to listen and engage face-to-face.
• Identify potential risks and work with the team to develop smart solutions.
• Support procurement by coordinating supplier relationships.
• Travel up to 50% to project sites (mostly Gulf Coast, but maybe further—adventure awaits!).
• Help with project estimating, bid management, and keeping subcontractors aligned.
• Contribute to the preparation of proposals and presentations for potential clients.
• Collaborate with the project management and construction teams to ensure client needs are met.
• Track and manage project success from initial RFQ through the warranty period.

What You Bring:

• Accountability.
• A passion for business development, marketing, and sales.
• High Emotional Intelligence with strong negotiating skills.
• A proactive, flexible mindset—you’re ready to tackle challenges head-on.
• Creative thinking and a problem-solving attitude.
• Attuned to the complexities of a construction environment.
• Intent and active listening.
• Ability to travel (sometimes up to 50%, depending on project load).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• At-ease interfacing and communicating up to the senior-level at client firms, ensuring they feel comfortable with you.
• Passion and leadership capabilities to build a business development team as we grow.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)—Bluebeam and Procore is a plus.
• At-ease working in an extremely fast-paced environment with multiple stakeholders.
• Able to develop presentations, research clients, assemble reports and briefs, build a strategy, and coordinate marketing materials.
• Aware and able to utilize CRM and monitor alerts and reports.

Extra Credit If You Have:

• Bilingual in Spanish; other languages are a plus!
• A BS in Communications, Marketing, Business, or aligned field—OR show us why that isn’t needed.
• Industrial building experience in refining/petrochemical industries.
• Commercial and/or Government building experience with a strong knowledge of the bidding process.
• Proven ability to be effective in a fast-paced environment, comfortable with multi-tasking, technology, and processes.
• Precast concrete construction experience.

Why Join FORTRESS? At FORTRESS, we don’t just build protective structures—we build careers. As part of the BakerRisk family, you’ll enjoy a competitive salary, stellar benefits, and a supportive, innovative environment. Perks include:

• Holiday, vacation, and sick leave.
• Medical and dental insurance.
• 401(k) + Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
• Year-end bonus potential.

Ready to Build with Us? Check out more about us at www.BakerRisk.com and apply today!

BakerRisk® and its affiliated companies are equal opportunity employers and proud to maintain drug-free workplaces. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.