Business Development Specialist

The Business Development Specialist (BDS) is responsible for creating and growing new business opportunities with industry clients who need to increase their technical and business capacity through applied research and innovation. The position is primarily dedicated to generating demand, qualified opportunities, and revenue growth for The Centres for Manufacturing and Energy Innovation (CMEI) by promoting the Centres’ technical solutions, building a pipeline of qualified prospects, initiating contract negotiations, and managing forecasts to achieve individual sales targets.

While the position’s business development efforts are focused on the Centres for Manufacturing and Energy Innovation, the incumbent also recognizes and connects opportunities that may benefit other areas of Red Deer Polytechnic, ensuring business development activity remains coordinated and aligned across RDP.

The incumbent represents Red Deer Polytechnic to external corporate clients as the face of these Centres while acting as the primary contact for external clients and entrepreneurs who are interested in pursuing mutually beneficial relationships with Red Deer Polytechnic.

• Conduct the day-to-day Business Development tasks and processes for CMEI in alignment with KPIs set by the CMEI business plan
• KPIs include but are not limited to:
  • Number of qualified leads generated
  • Business opportunities including industry and grant funding to meet revenue goals
  • New industry partnerships developed
  • Opportunity conversion and maintenance rates; and other KPIs set jointly by the Directors, CMEI, and Industry Solutions.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities with qualified customers while representing Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) with the highest level of integrity, professionalism, and business acumen
• Create demand for Red Deer Polytechnic technical solutions
• Establish and maintain long‑term relationships with corporate clients and business partners
• Connect into innovation ecosystem provincially and nationally
• Identify funding opportunities for CMEI (fee for service, grants, leveraged projects)
• Develop new customers through networking and the establishment of relationships with business contacts to develop solutions for current and future corporate technical needs
• Proactively monitor and access market intelligence with respect to Red Deer Polytechnic competitors and provide regular updates to the Director
• Accountable to ensure RDP maintains an image for quality technical work and services through professional, ethical conduct and high-level customer satisfaction
• Manage account relationships from initial contact through engagement and customer service, while working with the Director, CMEI, to close priority opportunities
• Regularly monitor customer satisfaction and identify opportunities to improve service and meet customer expectations
• Collaborate to develop and manage marketing plans to enhance Red Deer Polytechnic’s Centres in the marketplace and expand our reputation as a leader in applied research, technical services, and training
• Liaises with other members of the Industry Solutions team on a coordinated approach to customer service and ongoing account management
• Establish the strategic business development direction of the Centres in collaboration with Industry Solutions, and the Director of CMEI
• Work closely with the Centres to leverage Red Deer Polytechnic’s ability to provide total technical and innovation solutions
• Coordinate with Operations Team to develop budgets, write proposals, negotiate, and recommend recruitment of personnel to support project initiatives
• Responsible for making decisions regarding potential clients and ongoing relationships related to organizational alignments that…