Business Development Representative

GrowBuildLearn (GBL) is a social impact enterprise combining smart hydroponic technology, AI-powered education support, and immersive STEM curriculum to address food security and educational engagement challenges. Our mission is to empower individuals and communities to grow food, build sustainable systems, and learn together.

We're creating innovative solutions that make year-round food production accessible while delivering engaging hands-on STEM education to schools and communities across Ontario.

This role is funded through the Ontario Job Creation Partnerships (OJCP) program. Candidates must be Ontario residents who are currently unemployed or working under 20 hrs/week and must have a qualifying EI history (currently receiving EI, received EI within the last 60 months, or paid EI premiums in at least 3 of the last 10 years).

This is a field-facing sales role. You’ll be on the phone, in inboxes, and at school doors — prospecting and  pitching partnerships with schools and businesses across Ontario. Think of it as business development with a mission.

• Identify and research target schools and school boards across Ontario (Catholic and public)

• Execute cold calling campaigns to reach school principals, vice-principals, and curriculum leads

• Send cold email sequences to generate interest and book discovery meetings

• Conduct in-person cold visits to schools to introduce GBL and request meetings with decision-makers

• Follow up persistently and strategically across multiple touchpoints to advance conversations

• Present GBL’s value proposition to principals, teachers and corporate sponsors

• Conduct needs assessments to tailor pitches to each school’s priorities and budget

• Navigate school board approval processes, procurement requirements, and budget cycles

• Negotiate and close program packages and partnership contracts

• Maintain a healthy pipeline and log all activity in CRM (calls, visits, emails, outcomes)

• Track outreach metrics, conversion rates, and weekly/monthly targets

• Represent GBL at events, educational conferences, and community networking opportunities

• Support digital outreach strategies alongside traditional field sales efforts

• Collaborate with the team on campaigns, collateral, and outreach improvements

• Share field insights to help refine GBL’s pitch, messaging, and school targeting

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Communications, Education, or related field

• 1–3 years of experience in sales, cold outreach, business development, or account management

• Demonstrated comfort with cold calling, cold emailing, and in-person prospecting

• Valid Ontario driver’s licence and reliable vehicle for regular field visits

• Strong verbal communication — confident on the phone and in person with new contacts

• Persuasive, consultative approach to sales; able to listen, identify needs, and pitch solutions

• Resilient and self-motivated; comfortable with rejection and persistent in follow-up

• Organized and disciplined with pipeline management and CRM tracking

• Entrepreneurial mindset, able to work independently and manage your own territory

• Genuine interest in education, sustainability, or social impact

• Ability to travel to GBL head office in Niagara Falls on a weekly basis, and attend to in-person  sales opportunities across GTA/ Hamilton/ Niagara (and beyond on certain occasions)

• Experience selling to schools, school boards, or educational institutions

• Familiarity with Ontario K–12 curriculum and school decision-making structures

• Experience with HubSpot  or other CRM platforms

• Background in EdTech, environmental education, or community outreach

• Bilingual in English and French is an asset

GrowBuildLearn is committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), persons with disabilities, members of 2SLGBTQ+ communities, and individuals from underserved communities.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment. If you require accommodation during the application or interview process, please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Empowering communities to grow food, build sustainable systems, and learn together.