Retail Business Development Specialist

Business Development Associate Hybrid out of Warrenville, IL (3 days a week in office) Stumm Insurance LLCStumm Insurance is seeking a motivated, relationship-driven Business Development Associate to join our Sales team. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys connecting with people, building professional relationships, identifying new business opportunities, and contributing to company growth. The Business Development Associate will focus on identifying and qualifying prospective clients, developing referral relationships, and scheduling qualified initial consultations. This position plays an important role in expanding Stumm Insurance's network and introducing prospective clients to our employee benefits consulting and brokerage solutions. Identify, research, and qualify prospective clients through networking, referrals, outbound outreach, and other business development activities. Prospect Engagement: Connect with potential clients through phone, email, and social media to understand their needs and introduce relevant insurance solutions. Relationship Building: Establish trust and credibility with prospective clients while nurturing relationships through consistent follow-up, relevant content, product updates, and ongoing communication. Sales Pipeline Development: Meet monthly prospecting activity goals and qualified initial consultation booking targets to support business growth. Referral and Partnership Development: Collaborate with business partners to develop referral opportunities, joint marketing initiatives, events, and other strategies to expand the customer base. Networking and Field Activities: Coordinate and participate in prospect visits, insurance broker office visits, networking events, meetings, and other business development activities. CRM and Sales Reporting: Maintain accurate, timely records of prospect interactions and activities in the CRM system. Analyze sales data and performance metrics to identify opportunities for improvement and support forecasting. Internal Collaboration: Work closely with sales and client service teams to communicate client needs, coordinate new client transitions, and help ensure a high level of service. Industry and Product Knowledge: Stay informed about industry trends, competitor offerings, insurance carrier updates, and product developments relevant to the benefits insurance market. Professional Development: Participate in sales meetings, training sessions, workshops, webinars, continuing education, and other professional development opportunities to strengthen sales and industry knowledge. Bachelor's degree and at least 6 months of sales experience. Ability to build rapport, establish trust, and develop relationships with prospective clients and business partners. Strong prospecting, networking, follow-up, and relationship management skills. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and business acumen. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel and PowerPoint, and the ability to learn and maintain CRM systems. Ability to manage ambiguity, navigate challenging conversations, and approach business opportunities creatively. Strong commitment to teamwork, customer service, continuous learning, and company values. The company offers a competitive compensation and benefits program and rewards employees for strong performance.