Business Development Specialist at Easter Seals Alberta — NeverHard

Business Development Specialist Are you passionate about making a meaningful difference in your community? Do you want to help empower Albertans with disabilities to live fuller, more independent lives? Join us in bringing our vision to life: Inspiring Potential. Building Community. Enriching Lives. About Easter Seals Alberta Easter Seals Alberta (ESA) is a registered charity dedicated to fostering inclusion, independence, and wellbeing for individuals with disabilities and medical conditions. Since 1951, we have connected Albertans with impactful programs, services, and advocacy. For 75 years, we have evolved alongside the needs of our communities—adapting, growing, and innovating while staying true to our core mission: supporting individuals and families across Alberta to thrive. At Easter Seals Alberta, we foster an inclusive and diverse work environment where people can be themselves and where every idea and perspective is valued to reflect the communities we serve. Position Summary The Business Development Specialist is responsible for generating significant and sustained revenue growth through new business development across venue bookings, ticketed event sales, and sponsorship acquisition. This role leads proactive client acquisition and lead conversion strategies to secure high-value partnerships, expand diversified revenue streams, and maximize utilization of venue assets. With a focus on commercial performance, the position identifies and capitalizes on new market opportunities, develops strategic client relationships, and converts qualified leads into long-term, revenue-generating engagements. A proven track record of increasing revenue is essential, along with the ability to build and manage a robust sales pipeline that consistently delivers measurable financial results. The ideal candidate brings middle level business development expertise, exceptional commercial acumen, and a results-driven approach to scaling revenue, strengthening partnerships, and contributing directly to the organization’s long-term financial sustainability and growth. Key Responsibilities · Lead strategic revenue generation across venue rentals, ticketed events, and sponsorship and partnership opportunities, with a primary focus on expanding new business income streams. · Manage the full sales cycle for venue and event bookings, including lead qualification, client acquisition, proposal development, negotiation, contracting. · Proactively identify, pursue, and secure new business opportunities across high-value markets including corporate, community, wedding, retreat, outdoor education, and private event sectors to expand revenue pipelines and drive sustained business growth. · Optimize and expand existing venue and event offerings by identifying opportunities to increase attendance, enhance client value, and maximize net revenue performance. · Develop and execute business development strategies that position the organization’s venues, events, and services as preferred solutions for corporate, community, and partner audiences. · Cultivate and manage long-term relationships with corporate clients, community partners, industry stakeholders, and repeat customers to ensure sustained revenue growth and retention. · Identify, evaluate, and advance social enterprise opportunities that align with the organization’s mission, values, and community impact goals. · Collaborate with internal teams to fully align business development initiatives with marketing, operations, guest experience, and organizational revenue priorities. · Prepare and manage proposals, contracts, booking documentation, and revenue reporting with a high degree of accuracy and professionalism. · Track and analyze sales performance, booking pipeline activity, and conversion metrics to identify revenue opportunities, inform strategic decisions, and continuously optimize business development outcomes. · Contribute to annual revenue planning, forecasting, and budget development for all venue and event-related income streams, ensuring accountability to financial targets. · Maintain strong relationships and deliver a consistently high standard of client experience that strengthens brand reputation, supports retention, and drives repeat and referral business. Success in This Role Will Look Like · Demonstrated and sustained growth in earned revenue from venue rentals, ticketed events, and sponsorships, with a clear track record of expanding new business income streams. · A consistently strong and well-qualified business development portfolio across corporate, community, wedding, retreat, outdoor education, and private event markets, resulting in high conversion rates and measurable revenue outcomes. · Successful conversion of high-quality leads into long-term, revenue-generating client relationships, partnerships, and repeat business. · Expanded portfolio of corporate clients, community partners, and industry stakeholders contributing to diversified and sustainable revenue growth. · Consistently high standard of guest experience that drives repeat bookings, strong retention, and positive referrals across all market segments. · Effective identification and capitalization of new market opportunities that strengthen venue utilization and support long-term financial sustainability. What you will bring: · 4 – 6+ years of business development, sales, or revenue generation experience in venue, events, hospitality, tourism, or a related commercial environment, with a proven ability to grow revenue through new business, sponsorships, and partnerships. · Experience managing the full sales cycle, supported by strong commercial acumen in identifying opportunities, developing pricing strategies, and converting leads into measurable revenue. · Demonstrated success developing and executing client acquisition and conversion strategies across diverse markets (corporate, community, weddings, retreats, tourism, education, and private events). · Strong relationship-building skills with a proven ability to develop and retain long-term clients that drive repeat business and sustained revenue growth. · Excellent negotiation, presentation, and communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and close significant deals. · Proficiency in CRM and sales tracking tools, with the ability to use data-driven insights to improve performance and conversion rates. · Strong understanding of sponsorship, partnership development, and/or ticketed event revenue models, combined with a highly self-directed, results-driven approach and full accountability for revenue outcomes. · Post-secondary education in Business, Marketing, Hospitality, Events Management, or equivalent experience. Working Conditions: · Hybrid work environment. Primarily out-of-office actively meeting clients, conducting site tours, attending networking events, prospecting new business, and developing partnerships across corporate, community, and event markets. In-office time as needed to focus on pipeline management, proposal writing, contract development, reporting, CRM updates, and coordination with internal teams. · Active participation in industry events and networking functions is required, with flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends in support of business development and revenue generation activities. · 40 hours a week What We Offer · Comprehensive benefits package after three months of employment. · Employer-matched RRSP plan. · Competitive compensation with commission incentive up to 20k annually · A fun, dynamic, and collaborative team culture. · Ongoing opportunities for professional growth and learning. · The chance to make a meaningful impact and enhance the lives of others every day. Join Our Team Easter Seals Alberta is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive and accessible workplace. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process and employment. If you require accommodation at any stage, please let us know, and we will work with you to meet your needs. View all jobs at this company