Smart Grid Business Development Manager - NRTC

NRTC is Member Driven and Technology Focused – providing solutions that help our 1,500 electric and telephone members bring all the advantages of today’s evolving technology to rural America. NRTC’s solutions are developed specifically to meet the needs of rural utilities and their customers, and include integrated broadband, managed services, smart grid, mobile and video solutions. We are a dynamic, growing cooperative with more than 800 employees operating out of eight office locations.   

JOB SUMMARY: 

Assist in all aspects of the pre-sales process cycle including prospecting, cultivating leads, setting appointments, creating needs assessment, and managing leads in our contact management system. You will obtain critical information about new client opportunities and schedule appointments and provide follow up activities.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Rigorously prospect for and acquire new sales leads daily, forecast sales revenue, all to support the Regional Directors  

• Researching, planning, and implementing new target market initiatives  

• Researching prospective accounts in target markets  

• Prospect and set appointments with broadband service providers  

• Primary duties include; lead acquisition through outbound calling, e-mail and text communication, attending tradeshows, prospect face to face meetings, individual efforts and overall management of leads in sales pipeline in order to generate new revenue  

• Align with internal resources to create and convert marketing qualified leads to sales qualified, coordinating NRTC division sales funnels and lead generation efforts in order to move new opportunities into the sales cycle  

• Work with marketing to coordinate messaging and reach outs to specific campaigns  

• Seek strategic alignment with other industry serving solution providers and industry associations for vetting and processing new business leads  

• Assist and help coordinate RFP responses, preparing standard quotations and proposal information as needed  

• Track sales activity with daily and weekly call reports pulled from NetSuite, prospect analysis, and targets  

• Utilize tools available for driving interest and exposure (LinkedIn, Seamless AI, Sales Navigator)  

• Liaise with internal sales staff and executives to facilitate timely response to highly qualified, high-revenue potential leads  

• Learn about new developments and trends in the broadband industry   

• Coordinate web-based presentations and information sessions, for prospects regarding services  

• Other duties as assigned  

SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• Proven cold calling skills, quota achievement and goal accomplishment  

• Detail-oriented approach; ensures all tasks completed in a timely, efficient manner  

• Strong customer-facing, presentation, and negotiation skills  

• Ability to effectively position and contrast competitive solutions to the customer.   

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills  

• Knowledge of advanced strategic sales techniques  

• Ability to understand and learn technological concepts quickly (networking concepts, software, etc)   

• Proficient in Microsoft Office   

• Self-motivated, self-managed and goal oriented, proactive and works well independently; seeks and delivers ideas and solutions  

• Understand the sales cycle and overcome challenges that can affect the sales forecast  

• Has excellent organizational, time management and follow-up skills  

• Is dynamic, articulate and well-spoken  

• Extremely strong phone skills: Ability to set and close appointments over the phone  

• Trustworthy, capable of delivering results and effect change 

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: 

• Bachelor's degree in Electric Utility Business, Communications, or related field preferred  

• Preferred: Experience tracking tasks, progress, and results using a CRM tool, such as Salesforce, NetSuite, or SugarCRM  

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered  

• Knowledge of various aspects of the telecommunications industry and be able to operate in technologies such as Smart Grid, Broadband, Wireless, and SMB  

• Advanced knowledge of industry software and hardware terminology and concepts 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  

• Work is typically performed in a remote office setting  

• Travel to trade shows/customer sites - 75%

Disclaimer:  The above job description summary is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position.  It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills.  The order in which responsibilities, duties and skills are listed is not significant.