Business Engagement Specialist

CET is hiring a Business Engagement Specialist! Are you energized by building relationships and connecting businesses with practical solutions that create meaningful environmental impact? CET is seeking a Business Engagement Specialist to connect businesses, institutions, and community partners with opportunities that advance waste reduction, energy efficiency, and other sustainable solutions. Join a collaborative, mission-driven team where your outreach, curiosity, and perspective can expand CET’s reach and support lasting change. As the Business Engagement Specialist, reporting to the Head of Sales, you will help businesses and institutions turn sustainability goals into action through CET’s waste reduction and energy efficiency programs. You will build relationships through outreach, networking, site visits, and community partnerships; identify customer needs and opportunities; and coordinate smooth handoffs and follow-up with CET teams. You will also identify cross-program opportunities, share market insights, maintain accurate pipeline information in Salesforce, and advance CET’s carbon reduction mission. *Applicants for this field-based and remote work position must reside in South Central Massachusetts (Springfield are), Northwest Rhode Island, or Connecticut (Hartford area). Essential and Primary Job Functions Primary Functions: Outreach & Lead Qualification : Conducts direct outreach to prospective customers, primarily for CET's waste reduction programs, using a mix of calls, email, networking, and in-person visits. Conducts site walks and photo documentation early in the outreach and engagement process, as appropriate, to gather information that supports Waste Resource Consultant work. Educates prospects about available program offerings and the cost and environmental benefits of participating. Assesses customer needs and qualifies opportunities against established qualification criteria before handoff to value stream teams. Develops and maintains targeted outreach lists aligned with program priorities and capacity. Value Stream Coordination & Conversion Support : Works closely with Value Stream Managers and their teams to carry out outreach and engagement activities consistent with established program priorities, qualification criteria, operational capacity, and customer needs. Keeps value stream teams informed of prospect activity and gathers the information needed to support smooth handoffs and customer service excellence. Value Stream Managers retain ownership of the customer relationship and project delivery. After handoff, follows up with customers, helps address obstacles, and flags stalled opportunities to the Head of Sales and appropriate value stream team for joint problem solving. Supports value stream teams in improving lead-to-project conversion outcomes. Partnership & Network Building : Identifies and cultivates relationships with stakeholder organizations, such as trade associations, municipal partners, chambers of commerce, haulers, and industry groups, that can refer businesses and institutions to CET's programs. Embeds in these networks through consistent participation, attending events, and representing CET professionally, including delivering presentations as needed. Develops and maintains referral relationships that generate a steady, sustainable source of qualified leads over time. Cross-Program Referrals & Market Insight : Identifies opportunities for customers to engage with CET's energy efficiency programs and other offerings, and routes those leads to the appropriate teams. Works across multiple programs and states, developing an understanding of varied market dynamics, stakeholder landscapes, program requirements, and customer needs to tailor outreach and engagement appropriately. Gathers and shares market information, customer feedback, and observed trends with the Head of Sales and value stream teams to inform outreach activities and continuous improvement. Pipeline & CRM Management : Maintains accurate, complete, and timely records of leads, partner activity, and customer communications in Salesforce. Tracks outreach activity, pipeline progress, and outcomes, including qualified leads, partner referrals, conversions, and associated impact such as tons diverted and emissions avoided, and provides this information to the Head of Sales and appropriate value stream teams. Shares observations and practical suggestions for improving outreach and handoff processes. Secondary Functions: Travels regularly throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island and bordering states as required. Acquires and maintains knowledge of waste reduction, energy efficiency, and related industry trends to support CET's leadership in the field. Supports outreach campaigns, events, and other business development initiatives as assigned. Attends trainings as assigned. Knowledge/Skills/Experience Requirements: Committed to CET's non-profit mission and carbon reduction goals. Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience preferred. Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in outreach, business development, partnership development, or customer engagement, preferably in waste reduction, sustainability, or energy efficiency. Comfortable initiating conversations with new prospects, including cold outreach, and building relationships that lead to measurable results. Proven ability to represent an organization professionally at events, meetings, and presentations. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including active listening and clear verbal and written communication, with the ability to collaborate effectively with value stream teams. Bilingual or multilingual capabilities that support communication with the communities CET serves are preferred, particularly in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Mandarin, or Ability to quickly learn technical concepts and explain program offerings clearly to a range of audiences. Well organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, follow through consistently, and work independently. Ability to track, analyze, and report on activity and outcomes. Experience with MS Office and CRM software required; Salesforce experience preferred. Ability to travel throughout the assigned service area and transport necessary work materials. Must have access to a reliable personal vehicle for work-related travel, maintain a valid driver's license, and have an acceptable Motor Vehicle Record. The requirements listed above represent the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Responsibilities may be modified or assigned as organizational needs evolve. Physical Demands/Conditions Requirements: The physical and environmental requirements described below are representative of those needed to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. Environment: This is a field-based and remote work position. The remote work setting must support reliable high-speed internet access, confidential conversations, and the effective performance of job responsibilities. The role also requires movement through a variety of business and institutional settings, including kitchens, loading docks, waste storage areas, and other "back-of-house" areas. Physical Demands: Regularly sitting and using a computer; driving, walking and standing during site visits; typing or keying; performing repetitive hand movements; and using a cell phone or camera to photograph sites as needed. Equipment Used: Includes, but is not limited to, a computer, cell phone or camera, automobile, and standard office equipment. Compensation and Benefits: Your benefits start on day one: Health, wellness, and paid time off benefits begin on your very first day with us, so you're supported from the start! At CET, we are committed to transparency and equity in our compensation practices. The compensation range in the job posting reflects the available pay for this role at the time of posting. Individual compensation will be determined based on various factors, including but not limited to the candidate's qualifications, skills, and experience. Additionally, this role has the potential for variable compensation based on performance. CET will provide you with a laptop and other office technology. We also provide a monthly $85 stipend for home internet and/or phone expenses. Approved business mileage will be reimbursed at the current IRS standard mileage rate, and reasonable, necessary travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with the organization’s travel reimbursement policy. CET provides outstanding benefits, which include generous paid time off with vacation and personal/sick time; 8 paid holidays and 5 floating holidays; comprehensive medical and dental insurance with generous employer contributions; flexible spending health and dependent care accounts; vision insurance; life insurance, including an employer-paid group plan; disability insurance; supplemental accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance; pet insurance; an employer-paid Employee Assistance Program; monthly mindfulness and stress reduction offerings; and a retirement plan with a 3% company match. Equally important, the CET team is mission-driven, kind, supportive, and collaborative. We care about the planet and each other! About Us CET is celebrating 50 years as a mission-based nonprofit dedicated to helping people and businesses save energy, reduce waste, and implement sustainable solutions. Our core values are audacity, imagination, and collaboration. We provide innovative, lasting solutions through hands-on, action-oriented work. Every day, someone on our team is: Conducting residential and commercial energy audits and advising building owners on efficiency and electrification opportunities; Helping businesses reduce waste, including improving recycling or implementing wasted food diversion programs; Working with a municipal electric #J-18808-Ljbffr Center for EcoTechnology