Business Development Specialist, Commercial Growth

Why RTI

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.

About the Hiring Group

The role falls within the Growth Unit, which manages how RTI pursues, wins, and grows our project portfolio across U.S., state, local, and foreign governments, foundations, and commercial sector in collaboration with technical staff across the organization.   

What You'll Do

RTI is recruiting a Business Development Specialist for our Commercial Growth unit. The primary focus of this role is on expanding RTI’s business and impact with Commercial clients across several strategic sectors and offerings categories, with particular emphasis on the Energy, Environment, and Consumer Products sectors, and on RTI’s cross-sector offerings related to Sustainability, Circular Economy, Water Solutions, Lab Services, Scale-up & Commercialization services (RTI Pilot Xcelerator), and other commercialized solutions.

As a Business Development (BD) Specialist, you will leverage your experience and skills in market and competitor research and analysis, the planning and execution of effective sales campaigns and events, and client outreach and lead generation techniques to expand RTI’s business in your assigned sectors and service offerings.

This role offers you the opportunity to apply your capabilities in client needs analysis, opportunity identification, and positioning strategies to enable RTI to significantly increase our business with both existing and new clients. You will have the opportunity to work with other members of the commercial business development team, Sector Leads, marketing team members, and technical and scientific staff to develop and refine go-to-market offerings, client collateral, and sales enablement tools. In addition, you will support Client Relationship Managers with business development activities to help expand relationships and drive business with RTI’s top commercial accounts.

This position is open to remote candidates as well as those who would prefer to be hybrid or on-site at our Raleigh-Durham, 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.

Essential Duties:

• Conduct research and analysis on industry trends, client needs, and competitor actions.
• Research existing and target accounts, identify key contacts, connect with prospects, and generate interest in RTI’s services and products through timely, regular outreach.
• 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.
• Help to organize and schedule sales calls.
• Participate in client calls and coordinate follow-up items.
• 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.

What You'll Need

Minimum Experience and 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 demonstrable experience in a business development, client-centric/client facing role, or similar, preferably with a primary focus on commercial companies.
• 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.). 

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to support multiple teams at the same time, and quickly learn about new industries and service offerings.
• 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.
• Familiarity 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.

Preferred Experiences and/or Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or other engineering or business degree in a field related to energy, environment, sustainability, water resources, or new technology development.
• Prior experience serving companies in one or more of the following sectors: Energy, Environment, and Consumer Products.
• Prior experience researching and selling services in one or more of the following areas: Sustainability, Circular Economy, Water Solutions, Lab Services, Scale-up & Commercialization services.
• Proven track record of building a sales pipeline within an assigned business portfolio.
• Experience using AI tools for business development activities and daily tasks.
• 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.

#LI-EP1

EEO & Pay Equity Statements

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.

Hiring Salary Range