Business Development Representative

Smart Start, Inc.; Bloomington (IL); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plan

401(k) match

Bonus program

Discounts

Life insurance

Telemedicine

Disability insurance

Work-life balance

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Smart Start, Inc. is seeking a motivated Business Development Representative to expand market presence in Illinois, focusing on the Chicago metropolitan area.

This field-based role builds influencer relationships with government officials and referral sources to drive adoption of alcohol monitoring and ignition interlock products. The position requires travel, strong relationship skills, and the ability to work independently.

Qualifications

• Must reside in Illinois within commutable distance to Chicago area.
• Proven sales or business development experience.
• Ability to work independently in a field-based environment.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to demonstrate and utilize breath alcohol testing devices on a continual basis.
• Valid driver's license and ability to operate a motor vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Establish, develop, and maintain in-person relationships with current and prospective influencers.
• Generate new sales through proactive outreach and territory planning.
• Expand product market share by identifying referral sources.
• Educate partners on product functionality and compliance features.
• Attend trade shows and state-level meetings related to alcohol monitoring programs.
• Maintain proficiency in CRM and monitoring platforms.
• Conduct consistent face-to-face meetings to strengthen referral pipelines.

Skills

Relationship building

Field sales

Communication

Time management

Negotiation

Presentation

Education

Associate or Bachelor’s degree

Tools

CRM

Microsoft Office

Proprietary software

Job description

_______________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT: Field Sales

REPORTS TO: Director of Business Development

FLSA: Exempt (Salary + Bonus)

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (Remote with travel)

Territory: Illinois (Focus on Chicago Metropolitan area)

Note: We do not provide employment-based visa sponsorship or transfers for any position

Why You Should Join Us!

• A comprehensive health plan that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage to ensure you and your family have access to the care you need
• A 401(k)-retirement plan with a generous company match to help you save for your future and achieve your financial goals
• Other fringe benefits including Birthday & Anniversary bonus, company-wide discounts, life insurance, Telemedicine access, short & long-term disability, and more!
• Positive work environments that offer work/life balance and professional growth
• Mission-driven work making a global impact with local roots
• The opportunity to have hands on work experience with industry leading, innovative technology

Position Summary

Smart Start is seeking a highly motivated, competitive, and relationship-driven Business Development Representative to expand market presence and develop strategic influencer partnerships within an assigned territory.

This is a primarily field-based sales role focused on building strong, in-person relationships with key influencers, government officials, and referral sources who drive end users to utilize Smart Start alcohol monitoring and ignition interlock products. The ideal candidate thrives in face-to-face selling environments and is energized by developing new business through personal interaction and full territory ownership.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Establish, develop, and maintain strong in-person relationships with current and prospective influencers within assigned territory
• Generate new sales through proactive outreach, structured territory planning, and relationship cultivation
• Expand product market share by identifying and developing new referral sources
• Evaluate influencer needs and build productive, long-term partnerships that drive consistent lead generation
• Provide technical expertise and consultative support to government officials and referral partners
• Educate partners on product functionality, reporting platforms, and compliance features
• Attend trade shows, industry conferences, and state-level meetings related to alcohol monitoring and ignition interlock programs
• Serve as a territory expert on state regulations, impaired driving laws, ignition interlock requirements, and alcohol monitoring standards
• Develop and execute competitive sales strategies tailored to local market dynamicsGather market intelligence to maintain Smart Start’s competitive advantage
• Maintain proficiency in Smart Start products, CRM systems, and monitoring platforms
• Conduct consistent face-to-face meetings to strengthen referral pipelines and territory growth

Core Competencies

• Strong relationship-building and in-person engagement skills
• Competitive drive with high levels of initiative and accountability
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills
• Ability to deliver clear, confident, and effective sales presentations
• Business and territory management acumen
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities
• Proficiency in sales communication tools (email, text, phone, social media, CRM)
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Industry knowledge related to alcohol monitoring and ignition interlock programs

Qualifications

Required

• MUST reside in Illinois, within commutable distance to Chicago Metropolitan area
• Proven experience in sales or business development
• Ability to work independently in a field-based environment
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Ability to demonstrate and utilize breath alcohol testing devices on a continual basis
• Valid driver’s license and ability to operate a motor vehicle

Highly Preferred

• Experience in impaired driving, ignition interlock, or alcohol monitoring programs
• Associate or Bachelor’s degree
• Field-Based Role: Approximately 80% of time spent in the field developing and managing influencer relationships
• Overnight Travel: Approximately 40%, including occasional weekend travel for conferences and industry events

Technical Skills

• Above-average computer proficiency
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite
• CRM and proprietary software system experience

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regularly required to communicate verbally and hear.
• Frequently required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Requires close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as assigned by an authorized supervisor. The Company may modify duties, responsibilities, and requirements as needed, including providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, and employment remains at will.

Base pay for this position ranges from $70,000 to $85,000 annually, plus performance-based incentive. The pay that is offered, and total compensation, will be determined based on a variety of qualifications including relevant experience, skills, education, internal equity, and job performance.