How to apply for Program Administration Business Development Lead

About The Cadmus Group

The Cadmus Group has been a leader in sustainable change since 1995, combining innovative policy with strategic stakeholder engagement to drive measurable environmental impact. Working here means joining a mission-driven team that values collaboration, equity, and operational excellence in clean energy and efficiency programs.

About the role

This role leads business development for program administration opportunities, from pipeline building to proposal leadership, while overseeing program delivery to ensure savings and equity goals are met. You'll shape a growing practice, forge senior client relationships, and directly scale clean energy impact across the U.S.

A typical day

Your day might start with a pipeline review meeting to assess new opportunities, followed by a strategy session with internal teams to shape a proposal for an upcoming utility RFP. After lunch, you could join a client check-in to ensure program milestones are on track, then spend the afternoon coaching a junior staffer on capture planning.

Who The Cadmus Group is looking for

• A seasoned leader with 10+ years in energy efficiency or utility program administration, including 3+ years in a leadership role launching programs or scaling new business lines.
• A proven business developer with a track record of winning contracts and driving sales success in the clean energy or utility sector.
• Holds a bachelor's degree in engineering, environmental science, or business (advanced degree preferred) and combines technical expertise with strategic growth mindset.
• Collaborative and client-focused, able to build senior-level relationships and work cross-functionally to differentiate Cadmus's program administration offerings.

Tips for this application

• Highlight specific examples of programs you've launched or scaled, including measurable outcomes like energy savings, participation rates, or equity improvements.
• Quantify your business development success (e.g., win rate, contract value, pipeline growth) and tie it to clean energy or utility contexts.
• Showcase leadership in capture strategy and proposal development, emphasizing your role in shaping winning teams and solutions.
• Tailor your resume to emphasize operational excellence and executive oversight of program delivery, not just strategy.
• Research Cadmus's recent program administration projects (e.g., with utilities or government agencies) and mention how your experience aligns with their approach.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your experience leading business development and program delivery in energy efficiency or clean energy, with specific results.', "How you've successfully scaled a program administration practice or launched new programs, including challenges overcome.", 'Your collaborative approach to building senior-level client relationships and differentiating offerings in a competitive market.', "Alignment with Cadmus's mission of sustainable change and equity, citing concrete examples from your work."]

Research before applying

• Review Cadmus's recent program administration case studies on their website, especially in energy efficiency and clean energy.
• Look up their thought leadership pieces on utility program design, equity, and stakeholder engagement.
• Check news or press releases for recent contract wins or partnerships in program administration.
• Understand Cadmus's organizational structure and how the program administration practice fits within their broader offerings.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Describe a time you developed and executed a growth-oriented business plan for a program administration practice.
• How do you balance pipeline development with overseeing program delivery to ensure operational excellence?
• Walk us through a successful capture strategy you led for a major utility or energy efficiency program.
• How have you integrated equity objectives into program design and delivery?
• Tell us about a senior client relationship you built that led to repeat business or referrals.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic application that doesn't address the specific requirements (e.g., 10+ years in program administration, not just energy consulting).
• Focusing only on technical or policy expertise without demonstrating business development and sales success.
• Neglecting to mention leadership experience in launching programs or scaling business lines, which is critical for this role.