We are seeking a proactive and strategic
Business Development Manager - Data Center to own the data center vertical within Capital Electric assigned geographic territory. This is a hunter-style role focused on early-stage project intelligence, relationship mapping, and positioning Sonepar/ Capital Electric as the preferred electrical distribution partner with data center owners, developers, operators, and their design/build teams.
This is not a traditional outside sales role. You will act as the market expert for data center construction and expansion, identifying projects 12-36 months before bid, building multi-level relationships, and driving specification and preferred-vendor status at the end-user level while coordinating execution through our local branches.
- Proactively identify, track, and map every data center project (hyperscale, colocation, enterprise, edge) in your assigned territory using proprietary tools, Dodge/DataCenter, IIR, Dynamics/BAE reports, public filings, permitting data, and direct outreach.
- Collaboration with executive and regional leadership to identify opportunities, provide insight and guidance on sales/service requirements, engage local branch teams when directed or necessary to drive market share and sales growth.
- Build and maintain an accurate, real-time project pipeline database including owner/developer, GC, MEP contractor, engineer, timeline, size (MW), and current supplier incumbents.
- Develop deep relationships with data center end-users (Ex. Meta, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Equinix, Digital Realty, QTS, CyrusOne, Vantage, Aligned, etc.), their procurement teams, mission-critical engineering firms (Corgan, HDR, Syska Hennessy, etc.), and key influencers.
- Position Sonepar/Capital Electric early in the design/specification phase through lunch & learns, spec-in support, value-engineering collaboration, and preferred distributor agreements.
- Serve as the central point of contact between the end-user/owner and our regional and local branch network; ensure seamless hand-off and execution once projects move to procurement.
- Effectively collaborate with Capital Electric executive and regional leadership and with Richard Landry & the Sonepar DataCenter Business Development Team.
- Conduct regular project reviews and strategy sessions with regional leadership
- Attend key industry events (Data Center World, 7x24 Exchange, PTC, DCD Connect, etc.) to expand network and gather intelligence.
- Achieve quarterly and annual revenue, project capture, and pipeline development targets.
Minimum work experience requirements:- 5-7+ years of B2B sales or business development experience in electrical distribution, mission-critical power, data centers, or related construction verticals.
- Proven track record of hunting new business and building relationships at the C-suite and procurement level with hyperscale/colocation owners strongly preferred.
- Existing network within the data center ecosystem (owners, developers, engineers, GCs) in the target geography is a significant advantage.
- Strong understanding of data center power infrastructure (MV switchgear, transformers, PDU/RPP, UPS, generators, busway, etc.) and the design/build process.
- Experience using project intelligence platforms (Dodge, ConstructConnect, Industrial Info Resource, DataCenterKnowledge, etc.) and CRM (SPARK).
- Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail - you will own the single source of truth for data center activity in your territory.
- Self-starter comfortable working remotely with regular travel (30-50%) throughout the territory.
- Bachelor's degree preferred but not required with relevant industry experience.
Ability to travel 40-50% within the United States.
$100,000-150,000+
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What We Offer YouWe offer great family-friendly benefits to full-time associates:
- Healthcare plans
- Dental & vision
- Paid time off
- Paid parental leave
- 401(k) retirement savings with company match
- Professional and personal development programs
- Opportunity to become a shareholder
- Employer-paid short- and long-term disability
- Employer-paid life insurance for spouse and dependents
- Robust wellness program
- Gym reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
