Business Development Associate

Hanover Research•Arlington, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Hanover Research is hiring an early-career Business Development Associate to work with Sales Directors on identifying and engaging senior-level decision makers, generating new business opportunities, and helping organizations address business challenges through data-driven research. The role is based in the Washington, D.C. area, with an office in Arlington, Virginia, and is on-site Tuesday through Thursday. The associate serves as an initial point of contact for prospective clients and develops foundational sales skills through structured onboarding, ongoing training, mentorship, and hands-on participation in live sales cycles. The role offers exposure to executives and business challenges across industries, with a merit-based advancement path and opportunities to grow into business development, account management, consulting, or marketing. Hanover describes its workplace as collaborative, high-performing, and entrepreneurial, with professional development and community activities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree preferred; all majors are accepted.
0–2 years of work experience; prior leadership, sales, professional, or internship experience is relevant.
Strong interest in sales, business development, or client-facing work.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Persistence in contacting prospective clients and comfort with rejection.
Goal-oriented, with the ability to work well under pressure.
Articulate, organized, detail-oriented, and able to multitask in a dynamic, fast-changing environment.
Readiness for a professional environment and a strong desire to build a career in sales.

Nice To Haves

Digital acumen, particularly with AI, social media, and email campaigns.

Responsibilities

Engage prospective clients, including CEOs, presidents, executives, and other leaders, as their first point of contact.
Use cold calling, email, and social messaging to create business conversations with for-profit companies.
Research prospective accounts, executive stakeholders, industry trends, and competitor positioning to create tailored outreach and qualify meetings.
Work with an assigned Sales Director to manage the sales pipeline and support annual revenue goals by engaging prospects through the sales cycle.
Participate in sales onboarding, individual training, team meetings, skill-building sessions, and professional development.
Share practices and learn from relationships with other associates.
Maintain organized ongoing outreach, a sales territory, and the assigned Sales Director’s calendar.

Benefits

Base salary, monthly commissions, and individual and team performance bonuses.
Award-winning training program covering markets, research methodologies, and sales skills.
Starting at 18+ days of paid time off.
14 observed holidays, including Juneteenth, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and personal floating days.
401(k) employer matching.
Comprehensive health and dental benefits package.
Health and wellness packages with discounts to local gyms.
Community service opportunities.
Unlimited office snacks and beverages.
Free office lunch and fun incentives, including sporting events, happy hours, raffle giveaways, and days off.