Business Engagement Specialist

Center for EcoTechnology•Boston, MA

6h•$54,600 - $59,500•Hybrid

About The Position

CET is seeking a Business Engagement Specialist to connect businesses, institutions, and community partners with opportunities that advance waste reduction, energy efficiency, and other sustainable solutions. Join a collaborative, mission-driven team where your outreach, curiosity, and perspective can expand CET’s reach and support lasting change. As the Business Engagement Specialist, you will help businesses and institutions turn sustainability goals into action through CET’s waste reduction and energy efficiency programs. You will build relationships through outreach, networking, site visits, and community partnerships; identify customer needs and opportunities; and coordinate smooth handoffs and follow-up with CET teams. You will also identify cross-program opportunities, share market insights, maintain accurate pipeline information in Salesforce, and advance CET’s carbon reduction mission. Applicants for this field-based and remote work position must reside in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or New Hampshire within approximately 50 miles of Boston at the time employment begins.

Requirements

Committed to CET's non-profit mission and carbon reduction goals.
Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience preferred.
Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in outreach, business development, partnership development, or customer engagement, preferably in waste reduction, sustainability, or energy efficiency.
Comfortable initiating conversations with new prospects, including cold outreach, and building relationships that lead to measurable results.
Proven ability to represent an organization professionally at events, meetings, and presentations.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including active listening and clear verbal and written communication, with the ability to collaborate effectively with value stream teams.
Ability to quickly learn technical concepts and explain program offerings clearly to a range of audiences.
Well organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, follow through consistently, and work independently.
Ability to track, analyze, and report on activity and outcomes.
Experience with MS Office and CRM software required; Salesforce experience preferred.
Ability to travel throughout the assigned service area and transport necessary work materials.
Must have access to a reliable personal vehicle for work-related travel, maintain a valid driver's license, and have an acceptable Motor Vehicle Record.
The remote work setting must support reliable high-speed internet access, confidential conversations, and the effective performance of job responsibilities.
The role also requires movement through a variety of business and institutional settings, including kitchens, loading docks, waste storage areas, and other "back-of-house" areas.
Regularly sitting and using a computer; driving, walking and standing during site visits; typing or keying; performing repetitive hand movements; and using a cell phone or camera to photograph sites as needed.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual or multilingual capabilities that support communication with the communities CET serves are preferred, particularly in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Mandarin, or

Responsibilities

Conducts direct outreach to prospective customers, primarily for CET's waste reduction programs, using a mix of calls, email, networking, and in-person visits.
Conducts site walks and photo documentation early in the outreach and engagement process, as appropriate, to gather information that supports Waste Resource Consultant work.
Educates prospects about available program offerings and the cost and environmental benefits of participating.
Assesses customer needs and qualifies opportunities against established qualification criteria before handoff to value stream teams.
Develops and maintains targeted outreach lists aligned with program priorities and capacity.
Works closely with Value Stream Managers and their teams to carry out outreach and engagement activities consistent with established program priorities, qualification criteria, operational capacity, and customer needs.
Keeps value stream teams informed of prospect activity and gathers the information needed to support smooth handoffs and customer service excellence.
Follows up with customers after handoff, helps address obstacles, and flags stalled opportunities to the Head of Sales and appropriate value stream team for joint problem solving.
Supports value stream teams in improving lead-to-project conversion outcomes.
Identifies and cultivates relationships with stakeholder organizations, such as trade associations, municipal partners, chambers of commerce, haulers, and industry groups, that can refer businesses and institutions to CET's programs.
Embeds in these networks through consistent participation, attending events, and representing CET professionally, including delivering presentations as needed.
Develops and maintains referral relationships that generate a steady, sustainable source of qualified leads over time.
Identifies opportunities for customers to engage with CET's energy efficiency programs and other offerings, and routes those leads to the appropriate teams.
Works across multiple programs and states, developing an understanding of varied market dynamics, stakeholder landscapes, program requirements, and customer needs to tailor outreach and engagement appropriately.
Gathers and shares market information, customer feedback, and observed trends with the Head of Sales and value stream teams to inform outreach activities and continuous improvement.
Maintains accurate, complete, and timely records of leads, partner activity, and customer communications in Salesforce.
Tracks outreach activity, pipeline progress, and outcomes, including qualified leads, partner referrals, conversions, and associated impact such as tons diverted and emissions avoided, and provides this information to the Head of Sales and appropriate value stream teams.
Shares observations and practical suggestions for improving outreach and handoff processes.
Travels regularly throughout Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and bordering states as required.
Acquires and maintains knowledge of waste reduction, energy efficiency, and related industry trends to support CET's leadership in the field.
Supports outreach campaigns, events, and other business development initiatives as assigned.
Attends trainings as assigned.

Benefits

Health, wellness, and paid time off benefits begin on your very first day
Laptop and other office technology provided
Monthly $85 stipend for home internet and/or phone expenses
Approved business mileage will be reimbursed at the current IRS standard mileage rate
Reasonable, necessary travel expenses will be reimbursed
Generous paid time off with vacation and personal/sick time
8 paid holidays and 5 floating holidays
Comprehensive medical and dental insurance with generous employer contributions
Flexible spending health and dependent care accounts
Vision insurance
Life insurance, including an employer-paid group plan
Disability insurance
Supplemental accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance
Pet insurance
Employer-paid Employee Assistance Program
Monthly mindfulness and stress reduction offerings
Retirement plan with a 3% company match