Associate Business Development Representative

Applied Systems•Chicago, IL

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Applied Systems, Inc., a worldwide leader in insurance technology, is currently searching for an Associate Business Development Representative. This person will play a crucial role in managing inbound leads and nurturing them through the qualification process, helping to connect potential clients with the right technology solutions to transform their business. You'll be the first point of contact for many of our prospects, guiding them through the early stages of their journey with Applied Systems.

Requirements

Associate's Degree (AA) required.
Effective communicator with a strong phone presence.
Sales-driven mindset.
Sound problem-solving skills, and proactive efforts in seeking solutions to problems.
Proficient in email, word processing, database, spreadsheet 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.
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.

Nice To Haves

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 a plus.
Focus in Sales, Business Administration, Marketing, or related discipline preferred.
Bachelor's Degree in Professional Sales, Business, or related discipline preferred.
Knowledge of industry: Familiarity with our industry and market (insurance, SaaS, technology, etc.) is a plus but not required.
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.

Responsibilities

Engage inbound 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, ICP, and competitive positioning to support effective early-stage conversations.
Perform other duties as assigned.