New Business Development Executive

Why You?

You are looking for something more from your job and career. You love collaboration and teamwork. You dig a balanced life and can wrestle challenges with grace. Your creative energy is looking for an outlet and you are always thinking about what is next. You are bold, full of ideas and want to be part of a team that is hungry to win. If this sounds like you, we would like to talk.

Why Us?

Your work will be amplified as it enables other organizations to deliver great results. That is because Forward Space exists to help clients propel their organizations forward and bring to life spaces and environments that are designed precisely for their purpose. For leading organizations, there is only one direction that matters, and it is FORWARD.

As the leading authorized Steelcase dealer in the Chicago, IL and Milwaukee, WI markets, Forward Space is a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) that offers workspace consultation/planning, procurement, delivery, installation, and on-going maintenance to support our clients’ vision and goals. Serving greater Chicagoland and Milwaukee, while also offering national service capabilities, we help our customers to create innovative work environments that inspire people to excel wherever and however they work. We create environments tailored to the way you do business and that support company culture by encouraging collaboration, fostering creativity, promoting productivity, inspiring innovation, and supporting wellbeing.

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity, and experience drives us and our mission forward every day. We strive towards inclusion and that means everyone is comfortable bringing their authentic and best self to work every day.

What You Will Do

New Business Development is responsible for aggressively identifying, tracking, and managing sales opportunities influenced by the Architectural and Design (A & D), Real Estate, and Project Management communities – marketing to customers within firms/areas/territories as assigned by the VP of Sales. This role shall aggressively work to position Forward Space Account Executives, Account Managers, and support staff to successfully complete the sale, installation and service of products and services offered by the company thereby generating increased market share and customers for Forward Space.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identify, qualify, and build relationships as assigned or directed by the VP of Sales with responsible decision makers at key area Real Estate, A&D, and Project Management firms for the purpose of increasing sales to secure business from immediate and long-range opportunities.
• Develop and implement strategies in concert with other team members for securing project specific opportunities.
• Add value to the firms by regularly updating them on knowledge, product, and service offerings.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with major product manufactures to partner and market their products to the Real Estate, A&D and Project Management customers
• Understand and promote the sales teams and processes from customer quotation, through order fulfillment to successful receipt of customer invoice payment for products and services delivered.
• Utilize and assist with furthering the Forward Space marketing programs.
• Participate in tracking and maintaining opportunities and lead status. This includes coordinating them with other team members and keeping the Marketing Department up to date, thereby reinforcing the customer resource management (CRM) database/spreadsheets.
• Develop and maintain exemplary knowledge of manufacturers’ products and systems for application and presentation to customers.
• Represent the company in a professional manner to specific industry organizations, market sector, and/or community events.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Strong oral, presentation, written & interpersonal skills, and the ability to work well as part of a team.
• Self-directed; takes initiative; resourceful; good problem-solving ability and follow through.
• Clear and professional communication skills, including verbal, written, and listening skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Works well in a multi-task environment and organization.
• Diplomatic, energetic, polished professional appearance.
• Goal-oriented and motivated to succeed.
• Demonstrates enthusiasm and optimism.
• PC Skills: Microsoft Windows including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher

Additional Requirements:

• Minimum of 4 years successful experience in lead generation sales with 2-3 years of industry experience
• Design experience/background with furniture dealership experience considered a plus.
• Real Estate experience/background strongly preferred.
• Ability to work and routinely travel to customer locations within the Chicago and suburban 5 county area with occasional travel to out-of-state meetings/training at manufacturer locations.
• Valid State Driver’s License

Why You will Love Working for Forward Space

• 401(k) match
• Medical, dental, vision coverage options
• Company-provided short- and long-term disability
• 3 weeks of PTO to start
• 10 paid holidays plus paid volunteer time
• Collaborative and supportive culture
• Work-life flexibility

Enjoy our Perks, Perks, Perks!

• Summer hours
• Free snacks and lunches
• Annual employee and family events; impromptu celebrations and team outings
• Quarterly company Town Halls with annual community service event
• Company-funded annual charitable giving

This position is a hybrid role requiring 3 days in office at our Fulton Market location (dependent on business development meetings/events).