Senior Business Development Specialist

Visual Comfort & Co.; Illinois; On-site; USD 76,500 - 93,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work-Life Balance

Training & Development

Paid Time Off

Health Benefits

Auto Allowance

Retirement plan

Job summary

Visual Comfort & Co. is seeking a Sales Representative to drive growth by acquiring new customers and expanding relationships in the decorative and architectural lighting market. This position requires 5+ years of consultative sales experience, with a focus on the residential builders and designers.

Qualified candidates should possess a bachelor's degree, exceptional communication skills, and a proven track record in achieving sales goals. Compensation includes a base salary of $85,000 plus monthly commissions, with additional health and retirement benefits.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of sales experience in a consultative sales environment.
• 3+ years’ experience in interior design or lighting industry.
• Strong communication, presentation, and organization skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of the sales process.
• Conduct 16 face-to-face sales calls per week.
• Manage existing customers for retention and sales growth.

Skills

Sales experience in consultative sales environment

Custom home building products experience

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Relationship cultivation

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS)

Tools

CRM/ERP systems

Job description

Who we are

Visual Comfort & Co. is the premier resource for decorative and architectural lighting, ceiling fans, system controls and automated shading solutions from the most influential designers in the world. We are proud to offer a market‑leading range of premium products across categories, styles and price points, remaining committed to beautiful design and, above all, a world‑class customer experience.

As our organization continues its global expansion, we are seeking driven professionals with a proven track record of delivering exceptional client service and consistently meeting sales objectives across both lighting and systems product categories. This position focuses on finding new customers and expanding relationships with current ones, driving major sales growth. Key targets include residential builders, interior designers, architects, home technology integrators, and electrical contractors. Reporting to the Regional Director of Sales, this role works within a team to support customer acquisition, growth, and retention.

Visual Comfort Offers

• Work‑Life Balance: This role meets with customers primarily Monday through Friday
• Training & Development: A comprehensive and structured training program, complemented by ongoing education and opportunities for career advancement.
• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation accrual and paid time off policies.
• Holidays: 7 paid holidays per year, in addition to 2 floating holidays.
• Compensation: Base salary with competitive monthly uncapped variable compensation.
• Health Benefits: Visual Comfort covers the majority of employee medical premiums, and offers competitive vision and dental coverage available starting the first day of the month following your start date.
• Auto Allowance: Tax‑free, competitive auto allowance plus mileage reimbursement.
• Insurance: Company‑provided life insurance and short‑term disability coverage.
• Retirement: 401(k) plan with company matching up to 4%, available beginning the first of the month following your hire date.

How success is defined

• Lead all aspects of the sales process, while leveraging other sales, marketing and operational resources to assist in solution development or implementation.
• Ability to access existing and new target customers; conducting 16 face‑to‑face sales calls per week
• Capable of clearly communicating Visual Comfort’s value proposition to positively influence customers
• Network with architects, builders and designers through involvement in trade associations
• Adept at managing existing customers to ensure retention and continued sales growth.
• Uses proprietary CRM to manage a priority‑based schedule with existing and target customers
• Develop a strong knowledge of Visual Comfort’s product offering, service value propositions, and operating systems
• Capable of analyzing and interpreting data to drive decision making

What you will bring

• 5+ years of sales experience in consultative sales environment
• 3+ years’ experience in custom home building products, interior design, luxury home furnishings and/or lighting industry required
• Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) required
• Proven track record of cultivating relationships and achieving sales goals
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and changing priorities
• Superior communication, presentation and organization skills
• Passion for design and construction markets
• Strong analytical and decision‑making skills
• Independent, proactive and self‑motivated person who will offer exceptional service to our customers
• Ability to achieve results both independently and through others by fostering a spirit of teamwork and cooperation
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite
• Experienced with CRM/ERP systems for client management and project tracking.
• Ability to understand and adapt to complex distribution channels
• Able to quickly develop rapport and credibility
• Consistently represents Visual Comfort’s brand values and commitment to service.

Compensation: $85,000 plus monthly commissions

Qualified applicants are considered for employment, and employees are treated during employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, gender identity, or expression, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

To be eligible for this role, you must be authorized to work in the United States. We do not offer any type of employment‑based immigration sponsorship for this role. Likewise, Visual Comfort & Co., will not provide any assistance or sign any documentation in support of any other form of immigration sponsorship or benefit including optional practical training (OPT) or curricular practical training (CPT).