Commercial Solar Sales Support

Why Apply?

Are you interested in generous time-off and a strong benefits package? At Namaste Solar, you'll also have the opportunity to become a co-owner in our inclusive and transparent cooperative business.

People come to Namaste Solar with a desire to align their work and their values. And, we're not the only ones that believe our employee-owned model is a force for good in our communities. We've been awarded B Corp's Best for Workers and Outside Magazine's Best Places to Work 7+ years in a row.

Overview

Namaste Solar is seeking a Commercial Sales Support Specialist to provide critical support to the Commercial Sales Department. The role provides support to and coordination of the sales team's efforts responding to sales leads, competitive bids, requests for proposals, and completing the sales and contracting cycle. Daily activities include lead qualification, customer education, research on solar incentives and utility rules, and coordinating tasks with individuals and across teams within the Commercial Department. The role requires written and oral communication with high-level decision makers (e.g., C-Suite, VP, Director) as well as internal and external stakeholders (e.g., project managers and engineers, pre-construction managers, estimators, facilities managers) in the following market segments:

• Commercial and industrial (C&I)
• Buildings industry-architecture, engineering, and construction disciplines
• MUSH-municipal, small utility, universities, schools, and healthcare.
• Community Solar.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with the Director of Strategic Accounts to support overall sales efforts.
  • Focus on listening to customers and/or reading and understanding written bid requests, requests for information, quotes, and/or proposals to identify customer goals and motives for going solar.
  • Provide timely and thorough responses through verbal and written communication that address customer goals and motives.
  • Develop trust with clients by providing exceptional customer service:
  • Engage with colleagues across the commercial department as necessary to gather information required for timely and effective responses to customer leads and requests.
  • Develop and maintain trusted relationships with strategic partners in the solar and building industries by providing trustworthy, reliable, and timely information.
  • Maintain high awareness of the potential for strategic opportunities within the building and solar development industries, the competitive environment, electricity market trends, current pricing strategies, and utility tariffs.
  • Participate in client meetings/presentations as required.
  • Operate with a continuous improvement mindset, striving to improve efficiency of the Commercial sales process overall and the Strategic Accounts process specifically.

Essential Functions (Specific Tasks/Deliverables)

• Sales Support
  • Answer Commercial phone line and respond to phone/voicemail and online inquires.
  • Qualify all incoming leads and requests for bid/quote/proposal whether via phone/voicemail, email, or online portals.
  • Determine potential onsite solar capacity using Helioscope or by working with designers on the sales team.

• Direct leads to appropriate commercial sales team - C&I or Strategic Accounts.

• • Support Director of Strategic Accounts with marketing and outreach. Generate new leads through cold calling and campaigns.
  • Analyze utility bills to determine appropriate PV size, rate tariff, and qualification for solar-specific utility tariffs.
  • Assist salespeople with non-customer facing tasks, such as requesting front-end designs, populating proposals, and reviewing contracts.
  • Research, understand, and communicate relevant rate structures or requirements.

• Sales Operations
  • Serve as the Commercial Sales team point of contact for the Operations team regarding applications for utility incentives.
  • Collect information needed to start the utility incentive application and submit it to the Operations team.
  • Participate in a weekly Operations team meeting as "eyes and ears" for the sales team to shorten the feedback loop timeline.

• Source Documentation Maintenance
  • Maintain essential RFP and competitive bid proposal documents (e.g., statement of qualifications, general proposal template, subcontractor qualification documentation).
  • Work with stakeholders to coordinate regular updates to contract documentation.

• Strategic Accounts Marketing Support:
  • Conduct marketing and outreach research regarding potential strategic accounts and MUSH market opportunities.
  • Create and manage email or mailer campaigns.
  • Coordinate drone photography and project write-ups for marketing kit.
  • Work with Director of Strategic Accounts to identify, program, and schedule meetings and events (e.g., proposal presentations, client/potential client meet and greets, lunch-n-learns).
  • Coordinate Namaste Solar events to support Strategic Account endeavors.
  • Support outreach campaigns.
  • Leverage Salesforce to capture and manage leads, track results, communicate targets, record status, and maintain customer information.
    • Sort through leads, accounts, opportunities identify targets for trickle campaigns.

Essential Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Customer service mindset and experience building trust and rapport via phone, email, and written proposals.

• Excellent teamwork skills - ability to foster a positive team environment through collaborative decision making and clear communication.
• Demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards and a diverse workplace.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the capacity to manage a tight schedule of deliverables required from individuals across the company.
• Interest and familiarity with economic and technical aspects of solar photovoltaic systems.
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude and empathize, listen, and assist customers.
• Openness to new ideas, willingness to adapt and take on new responsibilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• A pro-active "make it happen" mentality.

Not needed now but you'll be even more prepared for the job if you have:

• Experience with Salesforce.
• Knowledge of solar PV sales
• Experience with business-to-business selling and/or sales to the MUSH market sector.
• Knowledge of system sizing and Helioscope design.
• Experience writing proposals and/or responding to RFPs.
• Experience with contracting for solar or other construction trades.
• Knowledge of and comfort with communicating key financing concepts - Capital Purchase, Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Return on Investment (ROI), Net Present Value (NPV), Simple Payback, and Depreciation.

Compensation and Terms

• This position is full-time.

• Hybrid work from home/remote, with a rotating schedule of office days in Denver or Boulder - must be able to commute to either location.
• Salary dependent on experience with ample career growth and promotion opportunities.
• CIGNA health insurance and dental insurance within the first 30 days.
• Other benefits include life insurance, short- and long-term disability, 401k plan, flexible paid time off, paid volunteer time, employee assistance program, EcoPass to ride RTD, and discounts to put solar on your home.

Physical demands & work environment

• Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, and sit. Employee must be able to speak and hear for customer calls. Must occasionally climb ladders on site visits. Must be able to use a computer for extended periods of time.
• Work environment: Office setting. The noise level is usually moderate.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Namaste Solar is committed to cultivating an inclusive environment for people to bring their authentic selves to work. We recognize that diverse teams make strong teams, and we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law.