Commercial Sales & Business Development Specialist - Water & Environmental Solutions

RTI International is an independent, scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world's most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach—one that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the world’s most challenging problems.

We believe in the promise of science and technical solutions, and we push ourselves every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses in the US and around the world. If you are looking for the opportunity to make a real difference, RTI is the place for you.

RTI International has an opening for a Commercial Sales & Business Development Specialist to join our Commercial Growth unit. The primary focus of this role is on expanding RTI’s business and impact with commercial clients, with a particular emphasis on identifying and developing business opportunities related to Water Solutions. The role will also support commercial growth across Energy, Environment, and Consumer Products sectors, including RTI’s offerings in Sustainability, Circular Economy, Lab Services, and other commercialized solutions.

As a Business Development Specialist, you will play an active role in identifying and pursuing new commercial business opportunities while supporting the processes, tools, and activities that drive an effective sales organization. You will research prospective clients, identify decision-makers, conduct outreach, generate leads, and help build a pipeline of opportunities with private-sector companies.

This role combines hands-on business development with sales operations and coordination. In addition to prospecting and supporting client engagement, you will help plan and execute targeted sales campaigns, maintain accurate CRM and pipeline information, track business development activities, and support improvements to sales processes and tools. You will collaborate with commercial business development leaders, Client Relationship Managers, marketing professionals, and technical staff to develop customer-focused messaging, sales materials, and go-to-market strategies that support growth with new and existing commercial clients.

This position is open to remote candidates within the United States, as well as those who would prefer to be hybrid or on-site at our Research Triangle Park, North Carolina campus. It is expected that this position will require frequent (25%+) travel and conference attendance. This role reports to the Head of Commercial BD Enablement.

• Research prospective commercial clients and target accounts, identify key decision-makers, and conduct proactive outreach to generate interest in RTI's services and solutions.
• Identify and pursue commercial business development opportunities in Water Solutions, including researching prospective clients, understanding industry challenges and customer needs, and supporting targeted outreach to generate new business.
• Support lead generation and prospecting activities through targeted outreach, follow-up communications, and relationship-building with potential commercial customers.
• Research and analyze industry trends, client needs, and competitor activities to identify new business opportunities and inform commercial growth strategies.
• For assigned commercial accounts, provide business development support to client management and delivery teams. Assist with the development of account plans and execute assigned tasks.
• Conduct background research for pitch meetings, help with development of BD collateral (e.g., pitch decks), document activities.
• Participate in and organize prospect and client calls, assist with preparation of sales presentations and client-facing materials, document discussions, and coordinate follow-up activities.
• Use marketing and sales information services and platforms to complete actions required for all phases of the sales cycle – from lead generation through closing.
• Proactively anticipate customer needs based on market activity to identify emerging projects and cross-selling opportunities with current clients.
• Coordinate with Marketing and/or Client Delivery teams to help identify and execute business development opportunities, including conferences, events, and outreach campaigns.
• Contribute to the application of business development best practices, continuous improvement methodologies, tools, and training to facilitate successful business development, forecasting, and planning activities.
• Participate in intra-group collaboration and coordination efforts related to business development and strategic planning.
• Continuously build the RTI brand by demonstrating how RTI adds value to clients.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and at least 3 years of relevant professional experience, or a Master’s degree and at least 1 year of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• At least 1 year of experience in B2B sales, business development, lead generation, or account development involving commercial/private-sector clients.
• Demonstrated experience with prospect research, direct customer outreach, lead generation, or development of new commercial business opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to support multiple teams at the same time, and the ability to learn and communicate technical or complex service offerings to prospective customers.
• Must have strong verbal and written communication skills, highly professional presence, ability to interact with senior clients and project delivery staff.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills such as PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
• Experience with CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce) and Go-to-Market/Sales Intelligence software tools (e.g, ZoomInfo, LinkedIn Navigator, etc.).
• Ability to demonstrate RTI Values and Lead Forward behaviors. Behaviors associated with our Values and Lead Forward can been found on RTI Insider and Careers page.
• To qualify, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and should not require, now or in the future, sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B visa status, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience in commercial sales, business development, lead generation, or account development within the water industry, including water treatment, water technologies, water resource management, or related environmental solutions.

• Experience researching and selling technical services, consulting, or other commercial solutions related to Water Solutions, Sustainability, Circular Economy, or Lab Services.

• Engineering or business degree in a field related to energy, environment, sustainability, water resources, or new technology development.

• Proven track record of building a sales pipeline within an assigned business portfolio.
• Experience leveraging AI-enabled tools to support business development activities, including prospect research, lead generation, sales outreach, campaign development, and process improvement.
• Experience working with a diverse set of scientific and professional disciplines, including but not limited to laboratory and statistical sciences, product commercialization, research, or consulting/advisory services.

For San Francisco, CA USA Job Postings Only: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Further information is available here.

RTI accepts applications to our job openings from candidates with criminal histories or conviction records in accordance with all applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

For Applicants in Massachusetts Only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below. Our pay ranges represent national averages and may vary by location as a geographic differential may be applied to some locations within the United States. RTI considers multiple factors when making an offer including, for example: established salary range, internal budget, business needs, and education and years of work experience possessed by the applicant. Further, salary is merely one element to our offer.

At RTI, we demonstrate our commitment to rewarding individual and team achievement through a total rewards package. This package includes (among other things) a competitive base salary, a generous paid time off policy, merit based annual increases, bonus opportunities and a robust recognition program. Other benefits include a competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability), access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan, paid parental leave for all parents, financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments, financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities, an employee assistance program, and numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.

$81,000 - $100,000