Business Development Specialist
Boost your chances before you apply.
Vigilant
Washington, DC, US
Summary
The specialist will build and maintain a sales pipeline through consistent outbound prospecting and cold calling to prospective employers. They will also educate business leaders on workers' compensation programs and guide them through the enrollment and onboarding process.
Job Description
Business Development Specialist - Washington Workers’ Compensation
We are seeking an enthusiastic, values-aligned Workers' Compensation Business Development Specialist to help introduce employers throughout Washington to Vigilant. In our unique sales process, we lead with our values, the core of which is ‘Others Before Self’. In addition to shared values, we're looking for someone who believes the strongest business relationships are built over time through curiosity, trust, and meaningful conversations, not high-pressure sales tactics — and who is energized by connecting with employers, understanding their business, and helping them discover solutions that make a lasting difference.
If you've worked in business development, you know there are many ways to build a career. Some roles revolve around quotas, commissions, and closing the next deal as quickly as possible – this isn't one of them. Some employers join within a few months. Others may spend a year—or even longer—getting to know us before they're ready. You'll get to introduce employers to our Washington workers' compensation programs, helping them understand how thoughtful claims management and Retro participation can improve outcomes for both their employees and their business. Because enrollment in these programs includes Vigilant membership, you'll also help employers discover the broader value we provide through employment law, workplace safety, human resources, leadership development, and employee benefits.
Vigilant has offices in Everett, Washington and Tigard, Oregon, but our employees primarily work remotely. This is a work-from-home position, but your home office must be in Washington or Oregon.
Responsibilities
- Research prospective employers to understand their business, industry, workforce, and potential needs before initiating outreach.
- Build and maintain a healthy sales pipeline through consistent outbound prospecting, primarily through cold calling, but also through email, LinkedIn, networking, referrals, and other outreach activities.
- Confidently initiate conversations with business owners, executives, HR leaders, safety professionals, and other decision-makers.
- Maintain a disciplined cadence of outreach, follow-up, and relationship nurturing to build a healthy long-term pipeline of prospective members.
- Educate employers about Washington workers' compensation, Retro, claims management services, and the value of Vigilant membership.
- Prepare proposals and guide employers through the enrollment and onboarding process.
- Represent Vigilant at employer meetings, conferences, trade shows, association meetings, and networking events throughout Washington.
- Maintain accurate CRM records while managing multiple opportunities simultaneously.
- Collaborate with internal subject matter experts to ensure prospective members receive an exceptional experience from their first interaction with Vigilant.
Qualifications
We're looking for someone who enjoys creating opportunities and building relationships from the very first conversation.
The ideal candidate will have:
- Early career experience (typically one to three years of experience) in business development, consultative sales, recruiting, relationship management, marketing, communications, public relations, or a similar relationship-focused role.
- A demonstrated and genuine enthusiasm for outbound prospecting, including a significant amount of cold calling and other proactive outreach, with the confidence and persistence to initiate conversations and build relationships with employers who may not yet know Vigilant.
- Strong consultative influencing skills built on credibility, trust, and curiosity rather than pressure.
- Curiosity about how businesses operate and a sincere desire to help employers succeed.
- Resilience, optimism, and the ability to hear "not yet" while continuing to build positive relationships.
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Exceptional organizational, follow-up, and time-management skills.
- The ability to work independently while collaborating closely with teammates.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to quickly learn CRM software.
- The ability to regularly travel throughout Washington for employer meetings, conferences, networking events, and trade shows.
- A valid driver's license and the ability to travel independently.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field.
- Experience working with employers in manufacturing, agriculture, food processing, transportation, construction, lumber, or similar industries.
- Familiarity with workers' compensation, insurance, human resources, risk management, or workplace safety.
Work Environment
- Our work environment is highly collaborative, cheerful, respectful, humble, and diligent.
- We are responsive and reliable. When we receive a question by phone or email, we aim to respond by the end of the business day.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary Range: This role is fully salaried and designed for someone who enjoys cultivating meaningful, long-term relationships rather than pursuing commission-driven, transactional sales, at a range of $80,000–$100,000, depending on experience.
Vigilant offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and life insurance; a 401(k) with company contribution; paid vacation; and the opportunity to work alongside a collaborative team dedicated to helping employers succeed.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected] by Friday, September 24th. Your cover letter should highlight why your skills and experience make you a strong fit for this role, including your approach to building relationships, earning trust, and helping others make confident decisions. Because cold calling and outbound prospecting are central to this position, please also share what you enjoy about creating new opportunities and why you’d be successful representing Vigilant. Resumes submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.
Vigilant is an Equal Opportunity Employer
We help employers across the Western U.S. tackle some of their toughest workforce challenges—so they can focus on running strong, successful businesses.
From HR, employment and labor law, workplace safety, employee benefits, to Washington workers’ compensation, we partner with employers to stay ahead of risk, reduce disruption, and support their people.
In Washington, we’re proud to offer several workers’ compensation programs, including the state’s largest manufacturing retrospective rating (Retro) program. serving manufacturing and agribusiness employers. Through smart claims management, effective return-to-work strategies, and data-driven insights, we help employers lower workers’ comp costs and make more informed decisions.
Our approach is proactive and prevention focused. We work with employers to identify issues early, build practical and compliant policies, and put strategies in place that control costs and strengthen workplaces.
Everything we do is grounded in our core value: Others Before Self. It shapes our culture, our partnerships, and how we show up for our members every day.
Vigilant is a 501(c)(6) association dedicated to helping West Coast manufacturing and food manufacturing and agribusiness employers create safe, fulfilling, legally compliant, and productive workplaces that improve lives and strengthen communities. Because when employers thrive, workers and communities do too.
Founded
1960
Company size
51-200 employees
Industry
Business Consulting and Services
Org type
Nonprofit
Headquarters
Tigard, OR
We help employers across the Western U.S. tackle some of their toughest workforce challenges—so they can focus on running strong, successful businesses.
From HR, employment and labor law, workplace safety, employee benefits, to Washington workers’ compensation, we partner with employers to stay ahead of risk, reduce disruption, and support their people.
In Washington, we’re proud to offer several workers’ compensation programs, including the state’s largest manufacturing retrospective rating (Retro) program. serving manufacturing and agribusiness employers. Through smart claims management, effective return-to-work strategies, and data-driven insights, we help employers lower workers’ comp costs and make more informed decisions.
Our approach is proactive and prevention focused. We work with employers to identify issues early, build practical and compliant policies, and put strategies in place that control costs and strengthen workplaces.
Everything we do is grounded in our core value: Others Before Self. It shapes our culture, our partnerships, and how we show up for our members every day.
Vigilant is a 501(c)(6) association dedicated to helping West Coast manufacturing and food manufacturing and agribusiness employers create safe, fulfilling, legally compliant, and productive workplaces that improve lives and strengthen communities. Because when employers thrive, workers and communities do too.
Founded
1960
Company size
51-200 employees
Industry
Business Consulting and Services
Org type
Nonprofit
Headquarters
Tigard, OR