Business Development Manager

chess; Santa Fe (NM); On-site; USD 48,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

CHESS in Santa Fe, NM seeks a Business Development Manager for Workforce and Contract Training to drive strategic growth through employer partnerships, contract training opportunities, and regional workforce initiatives. This role leads proactive outreach efforts, identifies emerging workforce needs, and develops customized training solutions that align institutional capabilities with industry demand.

The position serves as a key external ambassador, building strong relationships to expand

Qualifications

• BA/BS in Business, Public Administration, Higher Education, Adult Education or related field.
• Five (5) years’ experience in a sales environment.
• Knowledge of workforce development concepts and contract training.

Responsibilities

• Meet or exceed outreach and performance metrics to maintain a robust pipeline of opportunities.
• Conduct proactive outreach to assess employer needs and develop proposals aligned with goals.
• Build and maintain relationships with employers, industry leaders, and partners.
• Represent the institution at events to promote workforce programs and partnerships.
• Track leads and opportunities in CRM and contribute to forecasting and reporting.
• Collaborate across departments to design training solutions and support revenue growth.

Skills

Workforce development

Business development

Data-driven decision making

Interpersonal relationships

Verbal and written communication

Analytical skills

Strategic thinking

Independent and collaborative work

Emerging technologies

Sales and revenue generation

Education

BA/BS in Business or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Compensation:

CS118
Minimum starting salary $53,520.00
Final offer will be based on relevant experience, education, and other applicable factors.

CompensationType:

Salary

Employment Type:

Regular

FLSA:

Exempt

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Position Summary

The Business Development Manager for Workforce and Contract Training is responsible for driving strategic growth through employer partnerships, contract training opportunities, and regional workforce initiatives. This role leads proactive business outreach efforts, identifies emerging workforce needs, and develops customized training solutions that align institutional capabilities with industry demand. The position serves as a key external ambassador, building strong relationships with business, community, and industry leaders to expand program visibility and revenue. Working collaboratively across departments, the Business Development Manager supports data-informed decision-making, contributes to revenue generation goals, and ensures a high level of client satisfaction to sustain long‑term partnerships. This position does not supervise others.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Meet or exceed established outreach, engagement, and performance metrics to ensure a consistent pipeline of business development activity while identifying, researching, and pursuing new business opportunities that expand workforce training partnerships and increase contract training revenue.




• Conduct proactive outreach through phone, virtual meetings, and in‑person visits to assess employer needs, present customized workforce training solutions, and develop proposals aligned with organizational goals and workforce challenges.




• Build, cultivate, and maintain strong relationships with employers, industry leaders, community organizations, and economic development partners, serving as a primary point of contact and ensuring a high level of responsiveness and customer service.




• Represent the institution at conferences, chamber meetings, job fairs, and business roundtables to promote workforce programs and increase visibility, while following up with clients to ensure satisfaction and identify opportunities for ongoing or expanded partnerships.




• Maintain current knowledge of regional labor market trends, industry demands, and emerging workforce skill gaps and apply this knowledge to inform outreach strategies, partnership development, and program alignment.




• Track leads, client interactions, and business opportunities using CRM or sales tracking systems, maintaining accurate records of communications, proposals, and contracts, and contributing to regular performance and pipeline reporting.




• Assist in the development and execution of marketing and outreach campaigns to increase awareness of workforce development offerings and drive engagement with targeted industries and employers.




• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including academic departments, workforce program teams, Marketing, and Finance, to design responsive training solutions, support budget development and revenue tracking, and contribute to forecasting and trend analysis.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of workforce development concepts.




• Knowledge of business development fundamentals.




• Knowledge of data and performance measurement systems.




• Skill in interpersonal and relationship‑building communication.




• Skill in verbal and written communication.




• Skill in analytical and organizational practices




• Skill in digital and technical proficiency




• Skill in sales and goal achievement




• Ability to develop and sustain professional partnerships




• Ability to think strategically




• Ability to work independently and collaboratively




• Ability to work with emerging technologies, processes, and industry practices.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BA/BS in Business, Public Administration, Higher Education, Adult Education or related field.




• Five (5) years’ experience in a sales environment.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• The work is typically performed in an office setting

Schedule Designation:

• This role may offer the opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement in Santa Fe, New Mexico as determined by the Director of Program Sales.




• Typically, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. May be required to work after‑hours and/or weekends.

Best Consideration Date: August 6, 2026

Notice of Background Check and Education Verification:

All offers for employment with Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) are contingent upon a successful completion of a criminal background check. Some positions may require additional educational verification for compliance with accreditation standards.

Additional Comments to Applicants:

Applications are disqualified in the first level of review if they do not meet all Minimum Qualifications listed in this job posting. (Years of experience are calculated based upon numbers of hours worked per week. Example: 2 years of experience working 20 hours per week equals 1 year of experience.) Relevant experience pertains to Minimum Qualifications, Job Summary/Basic Function, and Preferred Qualifications/Knowledge, Skills and Abilities described in this job posting. ASSUMPTIONS ARE NOT MADE at any level of SFCC’s Hiring Process if information presented in the application material does not clearly address the Minimum Qualifications, Job Summary/Basic Function, and Preferred Qualifications/Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. Number of pages of application material will not negatively/positively affect your application, however, LACK OF DETAIL may.

EEO Statement:

As an EEO employer, Santa Fe Community College will not discriminate in our employment practices based on an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, serious medical condition or status as a protected veteran or spousal affiliation. Santa Fe Community College hires only U.S. citizens and individuals lawfully authorized to work in the U.S.

ADA Statement:

The SFCC is an EOE and affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA and ADAAA), SFCC will provide, if requested, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing and selection processes.

SFCC Recruiting Statement:

Santa Fe Community College is a Hispanic‑serving institution, which neighbors the eight northern Indian pueblos in Northern New Mexico. We are committed to attracting and retaining highly qualified and diverse faculty and staff. SFCC strives to make our campus a place where all individuals feel welcome, nurtured, and valued. At the heart of SFCC’s mission – Empower Students, Strengthen Community. Empoderar a los Estudiantes, Fortalecer a la Comunidad – is a commitment that higher education and opportunity should be open to everyone. SFCC fosters a welcoming environment and a climate of inclusivity for students, faculty, and staff. Join the SFCC team in working to empower students and strengthen community!