Business Development Manager

Description

Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric utility that provides power to rural Wright County and western Hennepin County. The cooperative has been a corporate citizen to the area since 1937 and currently serves more than 59,000 electric accounts. 

The Business Development Manager is a leadership role responsible for achieving sales targets, sales management, and driving adoption of Beneficial Electrification (BE) programs. This position drives revenue and growth across multiple business channels: WH Security, Energy-Saving Programs, and emerging electrification opportunities. It also leads initiatives that drive member adoption of beneficial electrification technology and programs, community engagement and outreach, security services, and external partnerships.

This is an external-facing role responsible for partnering with external organizations and building relationships with the intention of growing adoption and impact of WH products and services. This role also manages the internal and external sales team responsible for selling WH Security products and services and Energy Savings Programs.

Pay & Benefits: $100,000-130,000 depending on qualifications plus annual bonus.  WH offers a comprehensive health insurance plan including medical, dental, and vision coverage. WH also offers a generous company 401K match and contributions to a Health Savings Account.  Paid time off and paid holidays are provided. Other benefits include tuition reimbursement programs, flexible spending account access, dependent care FSA, and more. 

Location: This is a an in-office position with local travel around the WH service territory in Wright and Hennepin counties.  We are located in Rockford, 15 miles west of Plymouth on Hwy 55.

Key Responsibilities:

35% Beneficial Electrification Business Development

• Serve as the primary thought leader, champion, and  owner for Beneficial Electrification programs and initiatives, helping shape strategy, making recommendations, and driving continuous improvement.
• Drive clear and comprehensive BE growth plan that prioritizes concrete, measurable business and member outcomes.
• Evaluate existing BE efforts on a regular basis and recommend adjustments to improve effectiveness and impact.
• Identify, develop, and recommend strategic initiatives leveraging emerging technologies to enhance BE, demand management, or member value.
• Actively promote and advocate for WH BE programs, including related products, services, and investments, to drive adoption.
• Build and launch programs that are compelling to individual members while delivering value to the overall membership.
• Proactively identify new BE opportunities through city planning commissions and proposed property developments in coordination with Key Accounts to drive outcomes and coordinate engagement.

25% WH Security Sales Management

• Lead and manage inside and outside sales teams to achieve revenue, margin, and growth targets for installation and related services.
• Develop, execute, and continuously improve sales strategies, performance standards, and workplans aligned with organizational goals.
• Own the full sales lifecycle, including lead generation, pipeline management, quoting, contract review, and handoff to installation and operations teams.
• Monitor sales metrics and provide regular reporting and business updates to leadership.
• Review quotes and contracts to ensure pricing accuracy, compliance, and desired financial outcomes.
• Drive new business development through market and competitive analysis, community partnerships, and referrals.
• Oversee sales training and ongoing development to ensure strong product knowledge, selling effectiveness, and alignment with WH goals.

20% Local Community and Government Outreach

• Join, participate, and represent WH in BE organizations   that support adoption of products and services that are aligned with organizational goals. Build partnerships with groups such as Drive Electric, MN EV Owners Club, MnDOT, and Great Plains Institute. Develop, execute and participate in events for WH to interact with these organizations and our members. 
• Partner with local utility groups to develop, recommend, and collaborate on outreach efforts related to EV programs and rebates. Build relationships with contractors, auto dealers, metro utilities, and other allied groups. 
• Monitor legislative and regulatory activities related to BE and technology systems by engaging with electric and security industry groups.  Identify impacts and work with WH leadership to clarify WH's interest so WH can lobby policy makers; and encourage external stakeholders to pursue a joint strategy.
• Support relationships between WH, its employees/members, and the community. Manage internal and external community programs to drive BE outcomes.
• Explore Public Private Partnerships (Public-private partnerships: (P3s) involve partnerships between public agencies (such as local governments and transportation authorities) and private companies to produce publicly accessible infrastructure.) to drive measurable outcomes.

15% Lead BE/Energy Savings Program Working Group

• Plan, host, and conduct regular BE working group meetings with key stakeholders to keep the organization informed, maximize participation and outcomes of BE efforts.
• Oversee and ensure alignment of annual ESP 101 group led by Program Manager.

 5% Partnership with Marketing

• Partner with marketing and contribute to content development to be used in multiple channels to reach customers and members. 
• Conduct regular, structured, two-way dialog with marketing to identify strengths and weaknesses of current efforts, adjusting as needed. 
• Formally launch new products in partnership with marketing.
• Collaborate with marketing to ensure workplan targets align with strategic business objectives.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• 8+ years of business development experience
• Experience selling directly to customers/members 
• Experience representing an organization externally
• 3+ years of community/government relations, public relations, or economic development preferred
• Supervisory or team lead experience preferred

Licenses/Certificates

• Valid MN state driver’s license required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong project execution skills
• Outstanding written communication skills and strong ability to craft compelling, commercially relevant messages
• Critical thinker with strong problem-solving abilities
• Proven experience developing and cultivating strong collaborative working relationships and credibility with geographically dispersed stakeholders at multiple levels
• Public speaking experience
• Independently and proactively identify problems, propose solutions and execute