What are the responsibilities and job description for the Business Development Representative – Fire & Life Safety position at Optimum Fire & Security?
Business Development Representative – Fire & Life Safety
Location: Garner, NC
Territory: Raleigh, Garner, Fayetteville, and surrounding communities
Employment Type: Full-Time | Outside Business Development
Estimated Annual Compensation: $80,000–$105,000 (Base Salary Commission)
About Optimum Fire & Security
Optimum Fire & Security is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) specializing in fire protection, life safety, and electronic security solutions. Headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina, our company provides inspection, testing, maintenance, installation, monitoring, and technical services to commercial, industrial, institutional, and government customers.
Built on a commitment to technical excellence, integrity, and customer service, Optimum continues to expand its presence throughout North Carolina.
With the opening of our new Garner office, we are seeking an ambitious, relationship-driven professional to help establish and grow our fire protection service business throughout the Raleigh, Garner, and Fayetteville markets.
The Opportunity
We are hiring a Business Development Representative – Fire & Life Safety to lead new business development for our Inspection, Testing & Maintenance (ITM) and Preventive Maintenance Agreement (PMA) services.
This is not an inside sales or call center position. It is a field-based, relationship-driven opportunity for someone who enjoys building a territory, meeting with customers, developing long-term partnerships, and turning opportunities into lasting business relationships.
Your primary responsibility will be to generate new recurring service agreements for fire and life safety systems.
You will have the opportunity to establish relationships with commercial property owners, property management companies, facility managers, businesses, and other organizations requiring reliable inspection, testing, and maintenance services.
The ideal candidate is self-motivated, organized, comfortable working independently, and motivated by the opportunity to develop a market with significant growth potential.
Key Responsibilities
Territory Development & Business Growth
- Establish and grow Optimum Fire & Security's ITM/PMA customer base throughout Raleigh, Garner, Fayetteville, and surrounding markets.
- Identify, prospect, and develop relationships with commercial property managers, building owners, facility directors, business operators, and other decision-makers.
- Build and manage a consistent pipeline of new recurring inspection, testing, and maintenance agreements.
- Conduct in-person prospecting, customer meetings, facility visits, networking, and targeted business development activities.
- Develop strategic relationships with property management firms, commercial real estate professionals, contractors, and other referral partners.
- Identify opportunities to consolidate multiple inspection and maintenance needs under a single service provider.
Inspection, Testing & Maintenance Services
- Promote recurring service agreements for fire alarm systems, fire sprinkler systems, fire pumps, standpipes, and other fire and life safety systems serviced by Optimum.
- Educate prospective customers on the importance of code-required inspection, testing, documentation, and preventive maintenance.
- Understand customer facilities, existing service arrangements, inspection schedules, and compliance needs.
- Coordinate with Optimum's technical and operations teams to develop accurate, competitive service proposals.
- Present service agreements, negotiate terms, and secure new recurring customer relationships.
- Maintain ongoing relationships with customers and support the successful transition of awarded agreements to our service operations team.
Sales Pipeline & Accountability
- Maintain accurate customer information, prospect activity, opportunities, and forecasts within the company's CRM and project management systems.
- Establish and execute a consistent prospecting and territory development strategy.
- Track proposals, customer follow-ups, expected contract awards, and recurring revenue opportunities.
- Participate in regular sales meetings, performance reviews, and territory planning.
- Work toward established individual production goals while maintaining a strong commitment to customer satisfaction and long-term account retention.
Qualifications
Required
- Experience in business development, outside sales, account management, or B2B relationship development.
- Demonstrated ability to prospect, build relationships, and develop new business opportunities.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple prospective accounts and opportunities.
- Ability to work independently while maintaining consistent communication and accountability.
- Comfortable conducting in-person customer meetings and traveling throughout the assigned territory.
- Proficiency with computers, CRM systems, Microsoft Office, and related business applications.
- Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.
Preferred
- Experience in fire protection, fire alarm, sprinkler, life safety, facilities management, or commercial building services.
- Previous experience selling recurring service or preventive maintenance agreements.
- Existing relationships with commercial property managers, facility managers, or building owners in the assigned territory.
- General familiarity with fire protection systems and applicable inspection requirements, including NFPA standards.
- Experience developing a new territory or growing an established commercial service customer portfolio.
Industry experience is preferred, but not required. We recognize that exceptional business development professionals can come from many industries. We are willing to invest in the tech
Pay: $75,000.00 - $105,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Paid training
- Relocation assistance
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Business development: 2 years (Required)
- Fire alarm: 1 year (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Garner, NC 27529 (Required)
Work Location: In person
Salary : $75,000 - $105,000