Business Development Manager (COM 4)

Salary : $69,744.00 - $93,804.00 Annually

Location : King County - Seattle - Other, WA

Job Type : Full Time - Permanent

Remote Employment : Flexible / Hybrid

Job Number : 2025-06322

Department : Dept. of Commerce

Division : Economic Development and Competitiveness

Opening Date : 09 / 11 / 2025

Closing Date : 10 / 2 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Pacific

Description

Business Development Manager (COM 4)

At the Department of Commerce , we're reimagining what's possible in government. We're builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we're turning big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places.

Our agency's strength lies in the diversity of our workforce and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work. We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes. We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact.

Let's build what's next, together.

This position is part of the Business Development (BD) Unit within the Office of Economic Development andCompetitiveness (OEDC). It involves consulting with and advising businesses, local economic and workforce development organizations, and educational institutions on the development and implementation of strategies to attract business investment at both the local and statewide levels.

The role spans multiple sectors and may focus on clean technology, maritime, agriculture and food processing, and manufacturing. It involves working with private-sector leaders in the U.S. and abroad, foreign-based experts, and government officials to promote Washington's competitive advantages and attract investment in a highly competitive global market.

The position works closely with the state's economy leads and OEDC export assistance specialists to implement the agency's business development strategy and expand business recruitment, retention, and investment. It requires leadership and expertise in preparing proposals and delivering presentations to senior management teams of prospective companies. The role also includes participation in major events and trade shows-

domestically and internationally-to generate leads and business opportunities.

It's important that the applicant be within a commutable distance to our Seattle office for weekly meetings.

Duties

Business Development / Recruitment & Project Management

Tasks include :

• Increase the pipeline of qualified business leads by developing and executing a proactive business

development strategy.

private sector leaders, and provide direct assistance to these companies.

participation in key events and industry trade shows, and collaboration with statewide economic

development partners.

companies in need of expansion / location services. Ensure timely follow-up.

regulations, workforce development, infrastructure, taxes and incentives, financing, real estate, and

other management / production issues.

communication and resources between companies and state, local, and private parties.

tactics to be deployed for various domestic and international activities resulting in increased business

recruitment and investment to the state.

local capacity, and coordinate with statewide Associate Development Organizations (ADOs), all with the

goal of facilitating business retention and expansion in the state.

abroad, including managing logistics and representing the organization.

will affect current and future business location decisions.

initiatives.

Business Development Marketing and Tradeshow Support

Tasks include :

marketing collateral, and through other business recruitment events and activities.

business development marketing collateral. Research and identify key industry points. Access databases

and collaborate with partners to discover and analyze new statistics and trends.

clients.

invoices for key Commerce events.

business development opportunities.

Business Development Program Support

Tasks include :

and determine next steps

Conduct research to advise division leaders. Prepare briefing documents in support of

funding recommendations

creatively solve problems.

Performance Monitoring & Reporting

Tasks include :

project work.

Update projects on bi-weekly or monthly basis.

monthly basis.

notes during business meetings and document new leads.

complex business prospects in different stages of development.

improvement.

Qualifications

Required Position Qualifications :

Eight (8) years of combined experience and / or education as described below :

Experience in community, trade, or economic development with progressively increasing responsibilities in one or more

of the following :

o Business recruitment in economic development

o Commercial real estate

o Small business consulting

o Sales and business development with companies in any of Washington's key sectors e.g. aerospace, clean

technology, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, food processing, information and communication

technologies, and maritime.

Education involves business, finance, marketing, public administration, or related field. Qualifying education

post High School or equivalent may be substituted year for year for experience.

Examples of how to qualify :

Required Position Competencies :

process, including strategic planning and financial analysis

Excel, Word, and Outlook.

To be considered for this position, the following are needed :

For questions about this recruitment, please contact our recruitment team via email : - please reference the job number in your message.

Supplemental Information

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.

Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity

The Washington State Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may email Human Resources at Human.Resources@commerce.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

Department of Commerce also offers a competitive benefits package including : medical and dental insurance benefits, retirement and deferred compensation plans, 11 paid holidays each year, 14-25 vacation days per year (depending on length of employment), 8 hours of sick leave per month (if full time employed), bereavement leave, an employee assistance program, as well as other benefits. Please see the Benefits Tab for more details.

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits :

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note : If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note : Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and / or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note : Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 07-21-2025

01

In the space below, please write a formal cover letter describing your interest and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.

02

How many years of post-high school equivalent formal education (including college-level coursework, technical and / or vocational education, and / or certification programs.) in business, human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences or related field do you have?

03

How many years of professional experience in community, trade, or economic development with progressively increasing responsibilities in one or moreof the following do you have : o Business recruitment in economic developmento Commercial real estateo Small business consultingo Sales and business development with companies in any of Washington's key sectors e.g. aerospace, cleantechnology, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, food processing, information and communicationtechnologies, and maritime.

04

If you indicated you have experience noted above, please explain how, where and when you gained this knowledge and experience (must also be reflected in the work experience of your application). If you answered no, please type N / A in the text box below.)

05

Are you able to commute to the Seattle office at least a couple of times a week for this position?

06

As a condition of employment, I understand and agree that I must reside in the state of Washington prior to or on the first day of state employment.

07

Are you a current or former employee of the state of Washington?

08

If you answered yes to the question above, what is the agency you are currently or formerly with? If you answered no, please type N / A.

09

Please select the option below that best indicates where you heard about this job opportunity.

Required Question