Business Development Specialist

Description

Do you want to make a real difference in people's lives? Work for an inspiring non-profit leader in disability services!

At Rise, Inc., we believe that everyone deserves opportunities to live a life filled with purpose and pride. In our employment, housing, and life-enrichment services, we support people to set and achieve their personal goals. That shared commitment is the foundation of a workplace that embraces a culture of learning and growth by offering extensive training, competitive salaries, and a fun work environment. Visit our website at www.rise.org to learn more about our work.

Position Summary: 

The Business Development Specialist is responsible for identifying, developing, and maintaining relationships with businesses and community organizations to create meaningful opportunities for individuals supported by Rise. This role focuses primarily on generating contracted employment opportunities and secondarily on identifying community-based life enrichment/day service sites that foster inclusion, personal growth, and active engagement. The ideal candidate is a connector and someone who can build bridges between the community and Rise’s mission.

Essential Duties:

Business Relationship Development

• Identify and cultivate relationships with businesses and community organizations to establish employment opportunities
• Actively promote Rise’s mission and capabilities through one-on-one meetings, presentations, and community engagement
• Consult with internal program staff to assess viability and alignment of new opportunities with participant support needs, interests and goals
• Source and secure contracted work opportunities for supported employment teams, with a focus on sustainable, long-term business relationships
• Use methods including prospecting, cold calling, attending events, online research, business directories, and leveraging networks to generate viable opportunities
• Stay informed on labor market trends, workforce development funding, and community resources
• Provide feedback to leadership on emerging opportunities or barriers

Community-Based Day Services & Life Enrichment

• Develop partnerships with community centers, libraries, volunteer organizations, recreational facilities, and arts and cultural institutions to expand inclusive programming
• Consult with program leadership to assess viability and alignment of new opportunities with participant support needs, interests and goals

Outreach & Representation

• Represent Rise at community events, business forums, workforce development groups, and professional associations
• Serve as an ambassador of Rise’s mission, ensuring consistent messaging and professionalism
• Design and execute employer outreach and consultation service for businesses who wish to strengthen their disability and mental health employment practices
• Collaborate with Advancement team to identify business partners that may be appropriate for volunteerism, corporate sponsorships, and major gifts

Tracking, Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of leads, contacts, prospects, contracts, and outcomes
• Regularly report progress toward goals, outcomes, and trends to leadership

Contract Management

• Support the bidding, review, and annual renewal of employment contracts in collaboration with program management
• Ensure contract terms are clearly documented and reflect the scope and value of services provided

Position Requirements:

Key Expectations

• Standards of Excellence Commitment: All Rise employees are expected to commit to, sign and follow-through on Rise’s Standards of Excellence. Refer to “Standards of Excellence Commitment” document. In the Employee Handbook.  
• Person-Centered Practices: Learn and consistently perform person-centered practices: Identify those things that are important to people who receive support; implement strategies to assure they are present in day-to-day life. Identify areas where change can happen without permission. Act on those areas.
• Communication: All Rise employees are expected to communicate effectively with other staff, external stakeholders and people we serve in a respectful and timely manner. This includes but is not limited to reading and responding to email in a timely manner, answering and responding to phone calls and voicemails, foster open communication; listening to others; preparing professional written communications as needed.
• Safety: Participate in the development of a safe and healthy wor