Commercial Insurance, Business Development Associate

Are you looking to launch a rewarding career in sales and business development? Hardenbergh Insurance Group is seeking a motivated, coachable, and results-oriented Business Development Associate (Sales Trainee) to join our growing team. This role is designed for individuals who are interested in building a long-term career in insurance sales and commercial risk management. As a Business Development Associate, you'll focus on generating new business opportunities, developing prospecting skills, and learning the fundamentals of becoming a successful commercial producer. Through structured training, mentorship, and hands-on experience, you'll build the foundation needed to advance into an Associate Producer role. What You'll Do Prospecting & Lead Generation Conduct outbound prospecting through phone calls, email campaigns, and digital outreachWork from assigned target lists, lead sources, and industry-focused prospecting initiativesGenerate qualified discovery meetings for the Business Development teamMaintain consistent follow-up and prospect engagement activitiesBuild and manage a pipeline of prospective clients Opportunity Qualification Apply agency-defined qualification standards to identify viable opportunitiesEvaluate prospects based on industry fit, revenue profile, decision-maker access, and business needsConfirm scheduled meetings and maintain strong appointment hold ratesGather preliminary information to help prepare producers for discovery conversations Sales Process & Pipeline Management Maintain accurate and current information within the CRM systemTrack prospect activity, conversations, meeting outcomes, and next stepsParticipate in weekly pipeline and activity review meetingsFollow established sales processes and stage progression guidelinesSupport data integrity and reporting requirements Professional Development Actively participate in the USLI 50/50 ProgramComplete required training, licensing, and development milestonesShadow producer and client meetings to build industry knowledge and sales acumenParticipate in role-playing, coaching sessions, and skill-development exercisesContinuously develop sales, prospecting, and relationship-building capabilities What Success Looks Like Activity & Performance Metrics Consistently generate qualified meetings for the Business Development teamMaintain strong appointment hold rates and prospect engagementDemonstrate continuous improvement in prospecting and qualifying opportunitiesMaintain accurate CRM records and documentationShow ongoing growth toward Associate Producer readiness Professional Behaviors Strong coachability and willingness to learnConsistent preparation and follow-throughPositive attitude and resilience in a sales environmentExcellent organizational and time management skillsCommitment to personal and professional development Qualifications Bachelor's degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experiencePrior sales, customer service, business development, or internship experience preferredStrong written and verbal communication skillsComfortable initiating conversations and building relationships with new prospectsProficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)Strong organizational skills and attention to detailAbility to work independently while thriving in a team-based environmentDemonstrated desire to pursue a career in sales, business development, or insurance Why This Role? Structured career path into commercial insurance salesHands-on training and mentorship from experienced producersOpportunity to participate in industry-leading development programsExposure to business owners, executives, and diverse industriesCollaborative team environment focused on growth and developmentClear performance expectations and advancement opportunities Compensation & Benefits Remote on Fridays Target Salary: $50,000- $55,000 base salary, plus incentive compensation Benefits MedicalDentalVisionLife InsuranceRetirement PlanPaid Time OffProfessional Development & Licensing SupportProducer Development Program Participation