Business Development Associate

Business Development Associate

Location: Irvine, CA

Compensation: $70,000 - $95,000 base salary + bonus + industry leading benefits

Schedule: Full-time, with occasional early-morning or evening events

About the Role

Workspire is partnering with an exciting general contractor and construction manager specializing in complex healthcare, institutional, higher education, telecom, and energy projects throughout the western United States. This privately held, growing,100% minority-owned organization is seeking an entry-level Business Development Associate to support its growth.

The Business Development Associate will help develop relationships with prospective clients, industry partners, and community organizations. Working closely with company leadership, marketing, estimating, and operations, this person will support opportunity research, outreach, client presentations, proposals, and networking initiatives.

Based onsite in Irvine, California, this role is well suited for someone who is outgoing, organized, professional, and interested in building a career in commercial construction. Success will come from building genuine relationships, representing the organization well, and consistently following through.

What You'll Do

First 6 to 12 Months

• Research target clients, prospective projects, and market opportunities to support business development efforts.
• Begin building relationships with prospective clients, industry partners, and community organizations.
• Learn the organization’s business development approach through mentorship and collaboration with company leadership.

Project Leadership and Controls

• Coordinate outreach, meetings, and follow-up to keep prospective relationships moving forward.
• Maintain accurate CRM records, including contacts, activity, and next steps.
• Collaborate with leadership, marketing, estimating, and operations on client presentations, proposals, events, and other business development initiatives.
• Organize competing priorities and ensure consistent follow-through across business development activities.

Field Execution

• Introduce yourself to prospective clients and partners and represent the organization professionally.
• Attend industry networking events and community gatherings, including occasional early-morning or evening events.
• Support the preparation and coordination of client presentations, proposal materials, and events.
• Follow up with contacts after meetings and events to strengthen relationships and maintain communication.

What We're Looking For

• Zero to five years of experience in business development, marketing, customer service, hospitality, or another relationship-focused role.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Comfort introducing yourself, meeting new people, and attending industry events.
• Strong organization, dependability, attention to detail, and follow-through.
• Ability to research prospective clients, projects, and market opportunities.
• Ability to collaborate across departments and manage competing priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Interest in commercial construction, real estate, architecture, engineering, or professional services.
• Professionalism, integrity, initiative, and a willingness to learn.
• Valid driver’s license and availability to occasionally attend early-morning or evening events.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Construction Management, or a related field.
• Experience with CRM platforms.

Why This Role Stands Out

This is an opportunity to help a growing construction organization build relationships that support meaningful, high-profile projects, and work under an incredible sales leader. Your research, outreach, and follow-through will contribute directly to the company’s business development efforts across several complex construction sectors. For someone early in their career, the role offers mentorship and exposure to company leadership, marketing, estimating, and operations. It provides an opportunity to learn the commercial construction business while developing practical relationship-building and business development skills.

Workspire Insight

At Workspire, we partner exclusively with organizations that value experienced leadership, operational discipline, and long term investment in talent. Every opportunity we represent is vetted for impact, advancement potential, and cultural alignment because where and how you work matters.

EEO Statement

Workspire and our client partners are proud to be equal opportunity employers. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.