Sales & Outreach Coordinator

Note: This is a critical business development role within WATonomous. We are looking for driven individuals who can secure funding and build partnerships to support our robotics innovations.

Description

WATonomous is seeking an enthusiastic Sales & Outreach Coordinator to join our Business Operations team. In this role, you will be responsible for securing both internal university funding and external corporate sponsorships that enable our team to build cutting-edge autonomous robots. Your efforts will directly impact our ability to compete internationally and push the boundaries of student-led robotics innovation.

This position offers a unique opportunity to develop professional sales and relationship management skills while working with a technical team at the forefront of autonomous systems. You'll interact with industry leaders, university administrators, and funding organizations to secure the resources that make our ambitious projects possible.

Responsibilities

As a Sales & Outreach Coordinator at WATonomous, you will:

• Sponsorship Acquisition: Identify, contact, and secure corporate sponsors for our various robotics projects
• Internal Funding: Navigate university funding opportunities including WEEF, MEF, and departmental grants
• Relationship Management: Build and maintain long-term relationships with sponsors and funding partners
• Proposal Development: Create compelling sponsorship packages and grant proposals that showcase our value proposition
• Partnership Strategy: Develop strategic partnerships that provide both funding and technical resources
• Communication: Serve as the primary liaison between sponsors and our technical teams
• Reporting: Track sponsorship metrics and provide regular updates on funding progress
• Market Research: Identify new funding opportunities and stay informed about industry sponsorship trends
• Collaboration: Work with marketing team to create sponsor-focused content and recognition materials

Key Qualifications

Required:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Professional email writing and phone etiquette
• Ability to present technical concepts to non-technical audiences
• Self-motivated with strong follow-through on commitments
• Organized approach to managing multiple relationships and deadlines
• Genuine enthusiasm for robotics and technology

Nice to Have:

• Previous sales, fundraising, or business development experience
• Experience with CRM systems or relationship tracking tools
• Knowledge of the robotics/autonomous vehicle industry
• Experience writing grant proposals
• Understanding of corporate sponsorship structures
• Public speaking or presentation experience
• Network of contacts in technology or automotive industries
• Business, commerce, or related program background
• Experience with contract negotiation
• Bilingual capabilities (French/English) for Quebec-based sponsors

What We Offer

• Real-world B2B sales and business development experience
• Opportunity to network with industry leaders and executives
• Development of professional communication and negotiation skills
• Direct impact on team success through securing critical funding
• Mentorship from experienced business team members
• Recognition for sponsorship achievements
• Flexible scheduling around academic commitments
• Potential for performance-based incentives

Funding Targets & Opportunities

You'll work on securing funding from various sources:

• Corporate Sponsors: Tech companies, automotive manufacturers, engineering firms
• Internal Funding: WEEF (Waterloo Engineering Endowment Foundation), MEF (Mathematics Endowment Fund), department grants
• Government Grants: NSERC, Ontario Centers of Excellence, innovation grants
• In-Kind Donations: Software licenses, hardware components, cloud credits
• Competition Prizes: Identifying and applying for relevant competitions with monetary awards

Time Commitment

This is a part-time position requiring approximately 5-10 hours per week, with flexibility for:

• Increased hours during sponsorship drive seasons
• Sponsor meetings and calls (may occasionally be outside regular hours)
• Team events and sponsor appreciation activities
• Grant application deadlines

What We're Looking For

WATonomous values individuals who can bridge the gap between our technical innovations and business opportunities. We're looking for someone who:

• Has a passion for turning technical excellence into business value
• Enjoys building relationships and isn't afraid of rejection
• Can work independently while knowing when to seek guidance
• Takes pride in supporting team success through resource acquisition
• Understands that every dollar raised enables groundbreaking student innovation
• Can balance persistence with professionalism in outreach efforts

Whether you have formal sales experience or are simply a natural communicator with drive and ambition, we want to hear from you if you're excited about securing the resources that enable autonomous robotics innovation.