Business Development Specialist

Description Location: Raleigh, North Carolina (hybrid/office as applicable) Schedule: Monday and Friday remote, Tuesday-Thursday in office (based on business needs) About EDPNC At EDPNC, our mission is to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for all North Carolinians. In partnership with state, regional, local, and private sector leaders, we support North Carolina’s growth through business recruitment, existing industry support, international trade and export assistance, small business counseling, and tourism promotion. As a public-private partnership serving on behalf of the State of North Carolina, EDPNC operates at the intersection of public service and economic strategy. Our work helps attract investment, support employers, strengthen communities, and position North Carolina as one of the best places in the country to live, work, and do business. We are a collaborative, mission-driven organization that values professionalism, initiative, responsiveness, and strong relationships. The work is fast-paced, meaningful, and highly collaborative, offering employees the opportunity to engage with leaders across business, government, and communities throughout the state. At EDPNC, team members are motivated by the opportunity to make a tangible impact while working alongside smart, dedicated people who care deeply about North Carolina’s future. About the Role Position assists with lead generation effectiveness by providing support for the Business Development (“BD”) team whose mission is to identify, develop, and secure new recruitment?opportunities. The individual would work with the BD and Marketing teams to help generate, nurture, and qualify leads; establish client relationships; and coordinate promotional activities. In addition, he/she would manage individual scheduling, and perform duties such as coordination of initial meetings at conference and tradeshows, direct communication outreach, campaign development and working on special projects that may contain confidential and sensitive information. He/she would also deal with a diverse group of important external clients and partners as well as internal contacts at all levels of the organization. Independent judgment is required to plan, prioritize, and organize a diversified workload. What You’ll Do Coordinate lead qualification and business development activities including initial prospecting and response Develop and maintain domestic target company lists for conference and tradeshow outreach Serve as initial point of contact for individuals engaging via marketing campaigns seeking information about doing business in North Carolina, managing appropriate disposition of incoming inquiries. Conduct initial calls and interactions for domestic lead traffic from marketing campaigns, using detailed knowledge of state program eligibility requirements to evaluate prospects’ request to determine appropriate next steps and potential of leads. Provide BD questionnaire to vetted leads to be prepared for handoff to appropriate management. Summarize details from calls/emails in Salesforce, EDPNC’s Client Relations Management (CRM) system. Create Salesforce records including leads, contacts, and opportunities. Coordinate with Director, Business Development, to assign leads for management, based on BD Manager workload and related factors. Work with partner organizations to maintain relationships, utilize knowledge, and streamline processes for BD team as prospects pertain to certain areas or sectors. Work closely with Marketing & Research teams to assist development of e-marketing campaign content, sales collateral, presentations, and information requests from the Business Development team. Provide Business Development input for optimizing efficiency of marketing campaigns and correctly qualifying and assigning leads based on individual prospect needs. Other functions : Work independently and within cross-functional teams on special nonrecurring and ongoing projects. Manage special projects which may include planning and coordinating multiple presentations, disseminating information, coordinating direct mailings, and creating content for brochures. Maintain monthly Salesforce dashboard. Create and develop visual presentations and other marketing materials with support of Business Development, Research, and Marketing team members. Coordinate post-trade show and event drip campaigns with the Marketing team and serve as an initial point of contact for follow-up from said emails. Input into Salesforce, schedule and organize meetings, post-event lead follow-up, drip campaigns, etc. Cross-reference and synchronize multiple calendars and calls. Develop research responses on items such as workforce, industry, population, and education as follow up as requested from calls. Coordinate heavily with research on additional materials requested and ensure timely delivery of requested materials to prospects. Other duties as assigned. Requirements What We're Looking For Education and Experience Requirements Bachelor’s degree preferred 1-3 years of business experience 1-2 years’ experience in a sales and marketing environment ideal, including internship experience Knowledge of state economic development resources and issues is highly desired Driver’s license required Key Competencies Excellent communication skills (written and oral) Customer service-focused attitude and behavior; proactive and results-oriented Advanced proficiency in MS Office, especially Excel (e.g., pivot tables, complex formulas) Ability to interface professionally with senior-level business and government executives Ability to effectively plan, organize, and prioritize work Proficiency in Salesforce preferred We Invest in Our People—Professionally and Personally. At EDPNC, our benefits are designed to support your career, well-being, and life outside of work. Competitive compensation and performance incentives that reward impact and results Hybrid work schedule that supports flexibility, and balance Generous time off , including 4 weeks of PTO, 9 paid holidays, 3 sick and wellness days, and 3 flex holidays 401(k) with a 5% employer match after six months to help you build long-term financial security Paid parental leave , including 8 weeks of maternity leave and 4 weeks of paternal leave, because family matters Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage , with HSA and FSA options Company paid short- and long-term disability coverage as well as 50K life insurance for added peace of mind Employee Assistance Program that covers your entire household’s wellbeing Voluntary benefit options such as critical illness, accident, hospital indemnity, life insurance and pet insurance Corporate amenities such as paid parking, gym access and complimentary snacks Family Forward Certified , reflecting our commitment to family-friendly workplace practices Why Join EDPNC? This is an opportunity to work with manufacturers across North Carolina and play a meaningful role in strengthening one of the state's most important industries. You'll collaborate with a statewide network of business, workforce, education, and economic development leaders while helping companies access resources that support growth, competitiveness, and long-term success.