Business Development Associate

Austin Matley; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic company is seeking a Business Development Associate to support commercial activities through lead qualification and market intelligence. This full-time role offers the opportunity for future progression to a Business Development Manager position. Key responsibilities include qualifying leads, conducting market research, and ensuring prospects receive a professional early-stage experience. Strong communication skills and a strategic approach to problem solving are essential for success. Candidates should have a basic understanding of CRM systems.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of the organisation's value proposition and service offering.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strategic approach to problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Qualify leads from outbound campaigns and inbound enquiries.
• Conduct research on prospects for qualification.
• Log and maintain lead data within the CRM.

Skills

Communication skills

Client management

Problem solving

Commercial awareness

Education

Professional development courses in client management or project management

Tools

Salesforce

HubSpot

Microsoft 365

Job description

Job Title: Business Development Associate

Reports to: Manager / Head of Business Development

Type: Full-time

Position Summary

The Business Development Associate supports the organisations commercial activities by assisting with lead qualification, market intelligence, and early-stage client interactions. Working closely with the Marketing team and a Business Development Manager (BDM), this role ensures that outbound campaigns, inbound enquiries, and strategic opportunities are effectively qualified and progressed through the early stages of the client journey.

This is a developmental position aimed at preparing the individual for future progression into a Business Development Manager role once they demonstrate the capability to independently manage strategic relationships.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Review and qualify leads from outbound campaigns and inbound enquiries.
• Conduct initial research on prospects to support qualification and strategic fit assessment.
• Log, update, and maintain lead and opportunity data within the CRM to support visibility and follow-through.
• Document client needs, objectives, and technical considerations for internal review.
• Monitor market developments, competitor activity, and industry trends to support outbound strategy.
• Ensure prospects receive a professional and seamless early-stage experience.
• Provide increasing support in more complex qualification activities and account mapping as experience grows.
• Develop outbound prospecting skills to identify and initiate conversations with potential clients.

Key Performance Objectives

• Support Marketing and BDMs by processing, qualifying, and organising leads generated from outbound campaigns and inbound channels.
• Develop an understanding of the full client journey to ensure prospects and partners receive a consistent, high-quality experience.
• Learn how to identify strategic opportunities by understanding client needs, potential product requirements, and the organisations capabilities.
• Maintain accurate CRM data and assist BDMs with preparing materials for discovery sessions, proposals, and follow-up activities.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Accuracy and completeness of prospect records and reporting.
• Positive feedback from prospects and internal stakeholders regarding responsiveness and service quality.
• Demonstrated growth in prospect-management knowledge and capability.
• Successful development towards managing independent prospect or account responsibilities.

Essential Attributes

• Strong understanding of the organisations value proposition and service offering (to be developed in role).
• Strategic and logical approach to problem solving.
• Professional, client-focused, and personable.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across all levels internally and externally.

Qualifications / Certificates / Licences

• Professional development courses in client management or project management (optional).

Desirable Attributes

• Commercial awareness or interest in pricing, margins, and long-term client value.
• Interest in sectors such as healthcare, technology, or manufacturing (advantageous but not essential).
• Ability to balance multiple early-stage opportunities and deadlines.

Software Knowledge

• CRM Systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot): Basic to Intermediate
• Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook): Intermediate
• Project / Collaboration Tools (e.g., Smartsheet, Trello, Monday.com): Basic to Intermediate
• Data Entry & Reporting Tools: Basic