Business Development & Engagement Specialist

Boise State University • Boise, ID

14h • $73,549 - $91,936 • Hybrid

About The Position

This position drives revenue growth, expands TechHelp’s market presence, and builds long-term relationships with manufacturers, businesses, and government-facing organizations. Reporting to senior leadership, this position manages the full sales lifecycle and serves as the primary external relationship owner for industry and contracting partners. This role oversees statewide business development strategy and ensures consistent collaboration across all regional teams, driving measurable growth in each region. It translates marketing insights and qualified leads into contracts, partnerships, and sustained client relationships that support private-sector growth, manufacturing competitiveness, and public-sector contracting readiness. In addition, this position provides cross-functional leadership for the management, analysis, and reporting of the NIST Economic Impact Survey, ensuring accurate impact measurement, federal compliance, and strategic use of performance data to inform growth, funding sustainability, and stakeholder accountability. Operates with a high degree of autonomy in managing sales pipelines, external relationships, revenue targets, and federally required impact reporting. Functions as a senior contributor with statewide responsibility, ensuring all regional Client Managers and teams are aligned with overall growth strategies and organizational priorities. Serves as a cross-functional leader whose decisions directly influence revenue performance, partner trust, federal compliance, and long-term organizational growth. Department Overview: TechHelp is Idaho’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) center, helping manufacturers and businesses grow, innovate, and stay competitive. Through expert consulting, technical assistance, and workforce development, TechHelp supports companies in improving performance, expanding opportunities, and strengthening Idaho’s economy. Backed by NIST, the organization delivers measurable impact in job creation, cost savings, and business growth across the state. This is a Remote-Hybrid position that may require meeting with clients by phone, online, or in person. This role may require travel to meet clients in person at their locations. Level Scope: Recognized subject matter expert who knows how to apply theory and put it into practice with in-depth understanding of the professional field with limited oversight from managers. Independently performs the full range of responsibilities within the function; requires deep job knowledge of area typically obtained through higher education combined with experience. Manages large projects or processes and problems faced are difficult and often complex; analyzes problems/issues of diverse scope and determines solutions. May manage programs that include formulating strategies and administering policies, processes, and resources; functions with a high degree of autonomy. Influences others regarding policies, practices and procedures.

Requirements

• Strong consultative selling and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to translate complex technical or regulatory needs into compelling value propositions.
• Highly organized, self-directed, and results-oriented.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret performance data and translate findings into strategy.
• Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and drive accountability across teams.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Understanding of federally funded program performance measurement and compliance standards.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent plus 5 years of experience.

Responsibilities

• Business Development & Revenue Growth Identify, pursue, and secure new business opportunities across technical assistance, manufacturing support, creative services, innovation, and government contracting readiness.
• Manage the full sales cycle from lead qualification through proposal development, pricing, negotiation, contract execution, and close.
• Establish clear transition plans at contract execution to ensure effective handoff to Client Managers and continuity of the client relationship.
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of manufacturers, suppliers, technology firms, and government contractors.
• Track sales activity, forecasts, and performance metrics in coordination with marketing and senior leadership.
• Monitor and analyze statewide manufacturing trends, competitive dynamics, and emerging industry risks to inform organizational strategy and service positioning.
• Continuously assess market demand and identify gaps in TechHelp’s service offerings; recommend new programs, service enhancements, or delivery models to meet evolving manufacturer needs and strengthen competitive positioning.
• Identify, vet, and onboard qualified third-party service providers to address technical areas outside TechHelp’s direct expertise, expanding service capacity while maintaining quality and client satisfaction standards.
• Industry, Manufacturing & Government Engagement Develop and maintain strong relationships with manufacturers, supply chain firms, and government-facing organizations.
• Collaborate with APEX Accelerator staff to support government contracting readiness and referral pipelines.
• Represent TechHelp and Studio Blu at outreach events, trade shows, industry meetings, and procurement forums.
• Monitor and elevate organizational awareness of industry trends, procurement opportunities, and manufacturing challenges.
• NIST Economic Impact Leadership & Performance Management Lead cross-functional management of the NIST Economic Impact Survey process.
• Ensure timely client follow-up, high survey completion rates, and data accuracy in collaboration with delivery teams.
• Analyze and interpret survey data to quantify economic impact, including job creation/retention, cost savings, revenue growth, and operational improvements.
• Prepare executive-ready reports for senior leadership, state stakeholders, and federal partners.
• Ensure compliance with NIST MEP reporting standards and performance requirements.
• Integrate impact data into business development strategy, marketing messaging, funding justifications, and stakeholder communications.
• Identify trends and insights that inform service enhancements, market positioning, and strategic growth priorities.
• Statewide Regional Collaboration Develop and implement statewide business development strategies in partnership with regional Client Managers and the Marketing Manager.
• Align regional pipelines with statewide growth targets and revenue goals.
• Ensure consistent execution of outreach, lead development, and client engagement strategies across all regions of Idaho.
• Promote shared accountability, best-practice adoption, and coordinated communication across regional teams.
• Facilitate regular alignment meetings with regional Client Managers and the Marketing Manager to review pipeline progress, identify gaps, and ensure statewide consistency in client engagement and CRM updates.
• Internal Alignment & CRM Execution Serve as the primary liaison between prospective clients and internal delivery teams during the sales process.
• Partner closely with Client Managers to ensure seamless transition from sales to service delivery, including clear documentation of scope, expectations, timelines, and client objectives.
• Maintain shared accountability for client satisfaction, relationship continuity, and long-term engagement opportunities.
• Maintain accurate CRM records, pipeline documentation, and performance tracking systems.
• Partner closely with the Marketing & Analytics Manager to align messaging, targeting, outreach effectiveness, and impact reporting insights.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

• 12 paid holidays AND the University is closed between Christmas and New Year's (requires use of 3 vacation days)
• Between 12-24 annual paid vacation days for full-time Professional and Classified staff depending on position type and years of service
• 10.76% University contribution to your ORP retirement fund (Professional and Faculty employees)
• 11.96% University contribution to your PERSI retirement fund (Classified employees)
• Excellent medical, dental and other health-related insurance coverages
• Tuition fee waiver benefits for employees, spouses and their dependents

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees