Business Development Associate - Education

Hanover Research • Arlington, TX

25d

About The Position

The Business Development Associate conducts prospecting research, schedules and coordinates conversations with education leaders, and builds new relationships in the K-12 and higher education markets. The role involves phone and email outreach to arrange initial meetings with senior education leaders, coordinating with internal staff, and communicating Hanover’s value. It offers an opportunity to collaborate with a team, manage a sales territory, and learn how education leaders use research and grant development support to advance strategic goals and student success.

The position includes structured onboarding, ongoing coaching, and opportunities for career advancement. High-performing associates may be eligible to advance to Senior Development Associate within their first 6–12 months, subject to eligibility criteria. After promotion, associates participate in the Senior Associate Academy.

The role may be performed remotely or in a hybrid environment in the DC area, with an office in Arlington, Virginia. The stated on-target earnings are $68,000 per year, comprising a $50,000 base salary and $18,000 in uncapped variable commission at 100% goal attainment. The base salary may increase to $55,000 within the first 6–12 months if goals are consistently attained and promotion to Senior Development Associate is earned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, or relevant experience; all majors are accepted.
• 0–2 years of work experience, including previous leadership, professional, or internship experience.
• Comfort with cold calling.
• Strong interest in sales, business development, or client-facing work.
• Clear, professional, grammatically accurate communication by phone, email, and virtual interactions.
• Ability to seek coaching, implement feedback, and adapt quickly to new information, processes, and priorities.
• Ability to prioritize work, manage time, and follow through on commitments with minimal direction.
• Strong work ethic and ability to perform in a fast-paced, metrics-driven environment while overcoming rejection.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy, consistency, and follow-through.

Nice To Haves

• Location in the Virginia, Washington, DC, or Maryland area is highly preferred for the hybrid environment.

Responsibilities

• Identify potential clients whose roles align with Hanover’s capabilities.
• Develop tailored strategic messages for senior leaders based on their history with Hanover, individual focus areas, and institutional strategic goals.
• Manage outreach by making 50 or more calls and sending 15 or more emails per day to secure initial meetings and support new-business generation.
• Maintain an assigned territory and support an assigned Development Director in achieving annual goals.
• Coordinate conversations with education leaders and work with internal staff throughout the outreach process.

Benefits

• Base salary plus monthly commissions and individual and team performance bonuses.
• Teamwide incentives to earn additional bonuses and time off.
• 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 program.
• Comprehensive health and dental benefits package.
• Annual company-wide day of service and monthly events partnering with local organizations.
• Community service opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level