STATUS: Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO: Director of Business Services

PURPOSE OF POSITION: We are seeking an energetic and results-driven Business Development Specialist to play a key role in driving business and job growth in Fresno County. The successful candidate will possess excellent sales and interpersonal skills, turning client engagements into qualified leads. Working under the Director of Business Services, the Business Development Specialist will work with cross-functional teams to achieve client goals.

The Business Development Specialist is responsible for the development of professional, competitive business attraction collateral requests for information, proposals, and outreach (regional and national) for the County of Fresno and its cities by collaborating with various internal and external partners. The Specialist will seek new business opportunities by proactively contacting and developing relationships with site selectors, real estate brokers, developers, investors, municipal staff, site selectors, city and county officials and all others in the economic development arena interested in pursuing job creation and investment in Fresno County.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify quality leads from marketing campaigns as investment opportunities.
• Conduct proactive attractions outreach by contacting potential clients through cold calls, emails, in person, and other forms of communication to generate qualified leads.
• Coordinate face-to-face meetings and site visits with clients to gather information to aid in decision making for attraction or expansion clients; communicates appropriate information and connects clients with suitable resources and referrals including, but not limited to:
• Real estate brokers;
• Permitting and regulatory agencies;
• Site developers and site selectors;
• Regional, state, and federal economic development and trade organizations;
• EDC board members and community partners;
• City and County officials; and
• Others within the economic development space.
• Collaborate with the Director of Business Services and Research Analysts to conduct research and provide requested data for site selectors, brokers, prospective clients, and stakeholders and any other interested parties.
• Attend local, national, and international trade shows, missions, and events to generate attraction leads within target industries (regional, national, international).
• Accountable for securing client and project confidentiality at the EDC.
• Maintains relationships with clients by providing support, information, and guidance.
• Collaborate with the Research Analysts to analyze market reports to determine business prospects.
• Maintain and update the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to ensure client and project information are entered on a consistent and timely basis.
• Track and update projects via CRM to ensure up-to-date case management.
• Provide training and presentations to EDC Board of Directors, funders, staff, and others regarding the EDC and its services, prospects and feedback from marketing activities and efforts.
• Develop and maintain all client-facing material including, but not limited to industry brochures, market reports, white papers, and event fliers.
• Complete weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports as requested by the Director of Business Services and/or Executive Team Members.
• Other roles and responsibilities as assigned to ensure the success of the EDC’s Attractions program.

SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:

· Commitment to EDC’s the mission and goals.

· High ethical standards and professionalism.

· Must be highly organized, have effective time management skills, team player, self-starter, and effective communicator.

· Excellent written and oral communication skills.

· Strong in project management, research, and analysis.

· Ability to present statistical, financial, and factual data in a manner easily understood by the multiple audiences.

· Strong negotiation, sales planning, and prospecting skills.

· Proficient use of standard office software and equipment.

· Proficient use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or similar software programs.

· Willingness to travel locally, nationally, and internationally.

· Experience with a Client Resource Management (CRM) system is desirable.

· Preferred experience in CoStar, ArcGIS Business Analyst, EMSI, or similar programs.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & WORK HISTORY:

· Bachelor’s degree in with a concentration in real estate, marketing, finance/accounting, advertising sales or business administration preferred and one year of proven experience in a marketing and/or sales position; OR

· Alternatively, a combination of some college and three years of business development, marketing and/or sales experience.

PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS:

· All matters relating to EDC and its business activities are strictly confidential.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

· The physical demands listed are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Modified “light duty” restrictions may be arranged as needed and when available for job-related injuries or illnesses.

· While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit; use hands for clerical duties and keyboarding. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; stoop and kneel.

· The employee will occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

· Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus, and visual acuity sufficient to read a computer screen and paper documents.

· Acute hearing is necessary for telephone and in-person communication with callers and assisting staff, customers, and vendors. This position requires speaking in front of a group to lead meetings and training sessions.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

· This position typically functions indoors in an office environment with light-to-moderate noise associated with business office equipment.

· Occasional travel may be required.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $48,000.00 - $53,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Marketing: 1 year (Preferred)
• Business Development: 1 year (Preferred)
• Real Estate/Marketing: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person