Business Development Associate

AdAdapted; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Career advancement

Flexible PTO

Health, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Downtown HQ office

Diversity & inclusion

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

AdAdapted, a fast-growing AdTech company in Ann Arbor, seeks a Business Development Associate to drive revenue through proactive outreach and careful pipeline management. You will master core sales mechanics in a five-day program and assume ownership of strategy and outreach to secure Sales Accepted Leads for national brands and agencies.

The Accelerator emphasizes discipline, transparency, and a Territory CEO mindset, with mentorship and strong rewards for performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Business, Economics, or Performing Arts.
• Proven work ethic in fast-paced environments.
• Strong prospecting and outreach skills.
• Excellent communication and resilience.

Responsibilities

• Generate leads and identify decision-makers using sales intelligence.
• Design outbound campaigns via email, phone, and networks.
• Qualify pipeline to SALs.
• Maintain CRM records and forecasting.
• Meet weekly KPI targets.

Skills

Lead generation

Outbound outreach

CRM

Sales intelligence

Pipeline management

Forecasting

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Business, Economics, or Performing Arts

Tools

CRM software

Prospecting tools

LinkedIn Sales Navigator

Job description

AdAdapted is an advertising technology solution that increases the purchase intent of shoppers by reaching the right consumers at the right time to get brands onto shopping lists and into carts. The company’s offerings for CPG brands, agencies and retailers range from managed-service to self-service and SaaS solutions, shopping list to eCommerce, video to display.

AdAdapted offers the easiest, most efficient way for advertisers to reach millions of active, verified shoppers who turn to mobile apps to make their grocery lists and for online shopping. We enable brands to reach those consumers exactly when it will matter most, whether they are in an app or in the aisle. Our results speak for themselves with performance that dramatically exceeds industry benchmarks.

In the portfolio of advertising choices, AdAdapted is the AdTech solution for turning millions of grocery lists of generic items into lists of brands.

Role Summary

The Business Development Associate (BDA) is the engine of our revenue growth and the foundational role within the Business Development Accelerator program. This program was specifically created to develop highly successful sales executives by teaching them how to succeed in a fast-paced, high-value environment. You will begin with an intensive five-day mastery period where you will be equipped with our core mechanics for strategic outreach and pipeline growth. After mastering these skills, you will be expected to adopt a Territory CEO mindset, taking absolute ownership of your outreach strategy with ongoing support and mentorship. Your core focus is to secure Sales Accepted Leads (SALs) for the team, build a robust pipeline, and drive revenue by proactively identifying and engaging high-potential leads among national brands and media agencies. While we maintain rigorous expectations, the professional development and financial rewards of succeeding in this role are significant.

The Accelerator Program

The Business Development Accelerator is a permanent high-intensity environment focused on elite sales mechanics. The program officially launches with a five-day intensive training start to master the following concepts:

• Anti-Bot Prospecting: Designing human-centric outreach and high-quality communication to earn a genuine response from decision-makers.
• The Strong Intent Framework: Identifying specific market signals and hooks to ensure every interaction is relevant and timely.
• The 10-Second Hook: Mastering the art of the cold open to effectively earn a prospect’s time and attention.
• Diagnostic Discovery: Moving beyond standard feature-selling to uncover deep-seeded business needs and pain points.
• Tactical Resilience: Building the mental toughness required for high-stakes performance and objection handling.

Your Responsibilities

• Strategic Lead Generation: Proactively source your own leads and identify key decision-makers using advanced sales intelligence workflows and research.
• Multi-Channel Execution: Design and execute personalized outbound campaigns across email, phone, and professional networks to reach target accounts.
• Pipeline Qualification: Vet prospects against strict criteria to ensure only high-intent opportunities move forward as Sales Accepted Leads (SALs).
• CRM Integrity: Maintain meticulous records to ensure total transparency, KPI accountability, and accurate forecasting.
• Performance Accountability: Thrive in an environment of high transparency where progress and results are tracked daily.

Performance Expectations & KPIs

At AdAdapted, we prioritize performance through a hierarchy of Attitude, Quota Attainment, and Effort.

• Weekly Meetings: 5 High-Quality Meetings Booked
• Monthly SALs: 12 Sales Accepted Leads (Minimum)
• Availability: Maintaining a Territory CEO mindset via digital communication for all prospective client needs. (e.g. prompt communication when a prospective client responds)

The Ideal Candidate

We are seeking ambitious, high-potential talent driven by professional growth and financial success.

• Academic Background: Individuals with degrees in Communications, Business, Economics, or the Performing Arts are highly encouraged to apply.
• Proven Work Ethic: A history of hard work and grit, demonstrated through demanding internships, the service industry, or similar fast-paced environments.
• Performance Resilience: Experience in high-pressure or performance-based fields, such as athletics or the performing arts, which require repetition, mental toughness, and a strong presence.
• Extreme Coachability: The ability to process direct, subjective feedback and immediately apply it to improve performance without ego.

Requirements:

• Documented history of high-effort work ethic and grit (e.g., demanding internships, the service industry, property management, or similar high-pressure environments).
• High level of mental toughness and resilience, with the ability to handle the psychology of rejection and maintain high energy in a results-oriented role.
• Extreme coachability with a proven ability to process direct, constructive criticism and apply it immediately to improve performance.
• Commitment to absolute transparency, including the consistent logging of daily priorities and accomplishments; this documentation is a requirement for individual acceleration, mastery within the program, and success in a corporate tech environment thereafter.
• Unwavering commitment to succeed and a results-oriented focus with a desire to build strong relationships (both internally and with clients).
• Positive attitude and an eagerness to learn and work effectively under deadlines.
• Ability to work in our Ann Arbor (HQ) office 5 days per week.
• Technical aptitude for modern sales technology stacks, including CRMs and prospecting tools.
• Degree from an accredited university or college.

About AdAdapted

AdAdapted's fast-paced culture is based on working hard, exceeding our goals, and celebrating the wins. We know we have a top-notch, innovative solution that meets the needs of CPG Brands and Retailers and we are constantly refining and developing best practices to increase our presence in the market and grow our sales.

What We Provide:

• Competitive Compensation: Base salary with variable compensation tied directly to meeting pipeline and revenue goals.
• Advancement: A clear, structured path for career advancement based on performance metrics.
• Modern Balance: Flexible PTO and a flexible work-life balance that complements our results-oriented culture.
• Health & Wellness: Full-suite benefits plan (medical, dental, and vision) including FSA, HSA and life insurance.
• Financial Future: Roth IRA and 401(k) plans available including company match.
• Downtown HQ: Centrally located office space with a Qualified Transportation Plan.
• Mutual Respect & Empowerment: We have fostered a culture of mutual respect and empowerment where the team gets energized and motivated by the value, and dedication each and every one of us brings to the working environment.
• Community: AdAdapted Cares and volunteers locally in-person near office locations and virtually nationwide.

AdAdapted is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

AdAdapted complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail].