Business Development and Sales Manager

Job Details: Job Location: Downers Grove, IL 60515 • Salary Range: $95,000.00 - $105,000.00 Salary/year • Business Development & Sales Manager – School District Partnerships Position Summary Sunrise Transportation is seeking an innovative, relationship-driven Business Development & Sales Manager who thrives on generating new business, expanding market presence, and cultivating meaningful district partnerships. This role blends strategic business development with hands‑on sales activities, including lead generation, territory management, field sales calls, and customer relationship building. The ideal candidate understands school district operations, is skilled in consultative selling, and is passionate about bringing safe, reliable student transportation solutions to communities. This individual will play a key role in growing Sunrise’s footprint across assigned regions, securing new contracts, nurturing existing accounts, and supporting Sunrise’s long‑term growth strategy. How you’ll make an impact We are seeking an innovative, relationship-driven Business Development Manager who thrives on building meaningful partnerships and driving strategic growth. This role is ideal for someone who understands school district operations, excels at consultative selling, and is passionate about helping communities receive safe, reliable student transportation. This individual will focus on expanding Sunrise’s footprint through proactive engagement with school districts, identifying new business opportunities, supporting contract renewals, and cultivating long‑term relationships that support Sunrise’s growth strategy. What You’ll Be Trusted With Strategic Sales & Growth Identify, pursue, and secure new business opportunities with school districts, community organizations, educational institutions, and charter service clients. Generate leads, conduct field sales calls, and build a consistent pipeline of prospective accounts. Meet or exceed monthly and annual revenue goals, sales activity expectations, and territory development benchmarks. Develop and execute a strategic growth plan to increase Sunrise’s presence and revenue across assigned territories. Prepare and deliver high‑quality proposals, bids, pricing packets, and sales presentations tailored to customer needs. Monitor industry competitors, market changes, and district budget conditions to identify emerging opportunities. District & Customer Relationship Building Build and maintain long‑term relationships with district leadership, including superintendents, transportation directors, school board members, and community partners. Contact new and existing customers regularly to understand needs, identify opportunities, and promote Sunrise solutions. Serve as a trusted advisor who anticipates needs and aligns Sunrise services with customer objectives. Conduct onsite visits, community outreach events, district showcases, and engagement meetings to maintain visibility and trust. Communicate consistently with customers before and after sales to ensure satisfaction and generate repeat business. Customer Experience & Account Management Service, maintain, and grow existing accounts while identifying cross‑sell and expansion opportunities. Respond promptly and professionally to customer complaints, concerns, and service issues—resolving them in partnership with Operations, HR, and Safety. Support contract renewals, onboarding, and ongoing compliance requirements. Ensure all touchpoints reflect Sunrise’s commitment to superior customer service and transparency. Territory & Pipeline Management Maintain accurate records of all sales leads, interactions, proposals, and follow‑ups within the CRM system. Track pipeline metrics, revenue forecasts, district engagements, and proposal outcomes. Manage time, travel, and territory effectively to maximize sales reach and customer engagement. Maintain a deep understanding of local geographical areas, district demographics, transportation challenges, and competitive landscape. Market Intelligence & Collaboration Monitor competitor offerings, pricing structures, operational changes, and new products. Share insights with leadership to refine strategy and improve positioning. Collaborate with Operations to align service capabilities with district expectations. Partner with Marketing to develop district collateral, outreach campaigns, and promotional materials. Participate in district events, conferences, and networking opportunities to build brand awareness. What matters most for this role Strong knowledge of assigned geographic areas and local district needs. Proven ability to communicate clearly, confidently, and professionally with diverse customers, including district executives and community stakeholders. Highly strategic, innovative, and resourceful—able to build relationships, network effectively, and link resources to solutions. Goal‑driven with strong organizational, administrative, and self‑management skills. Ability to meet and exceed sales performance goals while managing time and territory effectively. Must be flexible, coachable, and comfortable working in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment. Must be a local resident with reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and proof of insurance. Prior experience in school district sales, B2B sales, business development, or government‑sector sales preferred. What We Will Offer You Sunrise Transportation is committed to enriching the lives of our team members and offers a comprehensive set of health, wellness, and development benefits. We foster a supportive and inclusive environment where continuous learning is encouraged and every team member has the opportunity to grow their career. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Sunrise is proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status. We celebrate diverse perspectives and welcome team members who want to join us, grow with us, and do their best work. #J-18808-Ljbffr Sunrise Transportation