Associate Business Development Representative

About the role

As an Associate Business Development Representative at Applied Systems, you will play a crucial role in managing inbound leads and nurturing them through the qualification process. You'll be the first point of contact for many prospects, guiding them through the early stages of their journey with Applied Systems and connecting them with the right technology solutions to transform their business.

Responsibilities

• Engage inbound Marketing Qualified Leads (MQLs) and initial inquiries to determine intent, validate fit, and route qualified opportunities to the appropriate sales consultant.
• Conduct structured discovery to identify core agency needs, qualify against defined criteria, and generate consistent Stage 1 opportunities.
• Maintain a high-quality early-stage pipeline by accurately applying qualification standards and progressing viable opportunities to Stage 2.
• Execute outbound outreach (calls + email) to initiate conversations, build initial rapport, and surface potential interest.
• Capture key prospect insights (pain points, objections, common themes) and share weekly feedback to support messaging and process improvements.
• Maintain disciplined CRM hygiene by documenting activities, updating opportunity details, and following defined workflows across systems.
• Demonstrate working knowledge of Applied solutions, Ideal Customer Profile (ICP), and competitive positioning to support effective early-stage conversations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Key Performance Outcomes

• Inbound inquiries are handled promptly and with professionalism, resulting in qualified next steps or appropriate resolution.
• Client and prospect needs are accurately identified and documented, ensuring relevant solutions are aligned to business challenges.
• Engagement with warm leads results in scheduled follow-ups, discovery meetings, or handoffs to the sales team as appropriate.
• Prospects receive a personalized experience that reflects their specific needs and business context, increasing conversion likelihood.
• Leads are tracked and nurtured through the sales process using approved tools and cadence, contributing to a healthy pipeline.
• Effective coordination with the sales team ensures seamless handoffs and up-to-date opportunity tracking.
• Activity and opportunity output consistently meet or exceed established benchmarks (e.g., calls, emails, qualified leads).

Requirements

• Experience working in a customer-facing role, such as sales, customer support, or business development, ideally in a B2B environment.
• Experience working in lead qualifying, customer relationship management, or account management.
• Experience working with CRM software; experience with Salesforce is a plus.
• Associate's Degree (AA) required; focus in Sales, Business Administration, Marketing, or related discipline preferred.
• Bachelor's Degree in Professional Sales, Business, or related discipline preferred.

Skills

• Effective communicator with a strong phone presence.
• Sales-driven mindset.
• Sound problem-solving skills and proactive efforts in seeking solutions.
• Proficient in email, word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications in PC environments.
• Ability to convey a positive and professional image to customers and employees.
• Ability to handle objections and constructive feedback.
• Driven to meet and exceed lead qualification and conversion goals, with the ability to work independently.
• Strong desire to learn about the product, market, and customer needs.
• Knowledge of the insurance, SaaS, or technology industry is a plus but not required.
• Comfortable with sales and marketing tools such as live chat.
• Comfortable using a variety of digital tools, including email, chat, video conferencing, and collaboration platforms.
• Familiarity with online research tools to better understand prospect needs and backgrounds is a plus.
• Introductory knowledge of inbound sales methodologies or Lead Qualification frameworks is preferred.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage.
• Holiday and Vacation Time.
• Health and Wellness Days.
• A Bonus Day for Your Birthday.

A culture that values who you are and recognizes that you aren’t just an employee; you are a teammate, and you matter. We thrive on the benefits of our different experiences and celebrate the uniqueness our teammates bring to work with them every day. We flex our time together, collaborating remotely and in-person to empower our teams to work in the ways that work best for them.

Pay

Our targeted starting total cash compensation in the United States for this position ranges from $40,000 - $48,000 per year. This range includes base salary and on-target performance-based variable commissions. Actual earnings are uncapped, and many team members exceed on-target amounts by surpassing their sales goals. To determine a new team member’s starting pay, we consider a variety of factors, including depth, breadth, and variety of experience, skills, and responsibilities.