Account Executive

About Us:

At Bernhard, we blend a rich history with a forward-looking vision. With over 100 years of experience, we are a pillar of stability in the energy infrastructure industry and a leader in innovative energy solutions. Our commitment to leveraging emerging technologies ensures that we remain at the forefront of the Energy-as-a-Service sector. We believe in growth—not just for our business, but for our people. Our team members have the opportunity to advance their careers in a supportive environment that values continuous learning and development. We embrace innovation and encourage creative problem solving to tackle the energy infrastructure and energy challenges of tomorrow. Inclusion is at the heart of our culture. We strive to create a workplace where every voice is heard and valued, fostering a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives drive our success. Join us to be part of a legacy of excellence and a future of groundbreaking advancements. At Bernhard, stability, innovation, and growth are more than just values—they are the pillars of our continued success.

The Account Executive is a base salary role with the opportunity to earn commission, responsible for orchestrating sales from introduction to closing by serving customers by selling products and meeting customer needs within an assigned region or assigned account.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Responsible for selling products, fielding questions, and resolving customer complaints.
• Services existing accounts and establishes new accounts.
• Gives sales presentations, submits orders, and submits activity and results reports to superiors.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with existing and new clients.
• Research and gather information on clients, potential clients, project opportunities, utility programs, and targeted markets to obtain leads. Identify key potential client decision makers.
• Research financial, industry, and competitor trends. Build and maintain market strategies, including SWOT analysis, competitive analysis and up-selling/cross-selling.
• Understands a customer's needs and goals, plan how to meet these needs. Develop and implement strategic plans to meet the client’s goals, ensuring customer is aware of all service offerings.
• Develops and maintains relationships with Bernhard’s delivery team to ensure successful project delivery.
• Handoff projects to PM upon award.
• Participates in client kickoff meetings.
• Manages, directs, and/or executes all aspects of fee proposals, qualification packages, and RFP/RFQ responses. Participate in interviews and related sales activities.
• Gathers needed information from Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to support writing activities.
• Translates technical subject matter into easily understandable content.
• Follow established sales processes and take direction from senior leadership.
• Participate in lunch or after-hours networking opportunities.
• Prepare and deliver presentations at local/regional/national industry organization events such as ASHE, ASHRAE, AEE, IFMA, BOMA.

Required Education, Experience, and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Engineering, Finance, Sales, or related field.
• Verifiable experience in successfully establishing a client/customer base within the industry.
• 10+ years’ experience in the architectural, engineering, construction, or energy industry
• 10+ years’ of demonstrated business development or client relationship experience
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Detail oriented and willing to tackle various ongoing projects in a fast paced environment.
• Well versed in the industry and the Company’s competitors.
• Excellent multitasking skills, with the ability to perform duties outside of scope of work when necessary.

Preferred Education, Experience, and Qualifications

• Deep experience/understanding of HVAC mechanical systems and/or central chilled water/boiler plant operations. Ability to read/interpret mechanical blueprints is a plus. Knowledge of building construction, general contracting and facility/systems commissioning is a differentiator
• Deep experience/understanding of building automation and control systems. Ability to read/interpret controls diagrams and submittals is a plus. Knowledge of fault detection, analytics, and monitoring-based commissioning service offerings is a differentiator
• Deep experience/understanding of facilities maintenance and/or healthcare/higher education organizations
• Deep experience/understanding energy efficiency projects. Knowledge of retro commissioning, utility programs, energy service contracts, and/or energy-as-a-service is a differentiator
• Existing relationships and connections with potential clients in healthcare/higher education or other industry partners that directly translate to sales leads.

Travel Requirements

• 30% of time will be spent traveling to job site(s)/office location.

Physical/Work Environment Requirements

Physical Activities

Climbing stairs.
Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods
Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers
Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment

Environmental Conditions

Quiet environment

Physical Demands

Light work that includes adjusting and/or moving objects up to 20 pounds

Bernhard is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Women, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities, and participates in the e-Verify program. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other classification protected by law.