Business Development Associate

Progressive Data Jobs; Fairfax (VA); Hybrid; USD 58,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

401(k) plan

Remote work options

Job summary

Catalist is seeking a Business Development Associate to join our Marketing Team. You will collaborate cross‑functionally with clients and data teams to translate requirements into actionable deliverables.

The role blends front‑line outreach with behind‑the‑scenes data work, including drafting external communications, developing marketing collateral, and coordinating multi‑project campaigns. Occasional planning meetings in the Washington, DC area may be required.

Qualifications

• Experience in campaigns, organizing or advocacy and political data.
• Able to learn how clients leverage political data in their work.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and Zoom/phone proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Fulfill inbound projects across departments from start to finish with actionable insights.
• Define client requests via effective verbal and email communication.
• Develop marketing and outreach collateral with leadership.
• Draft and execute external communications in Axios and maintain outreach lists.

Skills

Campaigns experience

Advocacy background

Attention to detail

Project management

Verbal communication

Written communication

Collaborative work

AI tools curiosity

Client interaction

Tools

Salesforce

Axios

Job description

Position Summary

For over 20 years, Catalist has been a leader in civic data and data science innovation. Our mission is to provide progressive organizations with the data, software, and services needed to better identify, understand, and communicate with the people they need to engage and mobilize. Our clients include the largest, most influential organizations in the U.S. active in civic engagement, advocacy, and political campaigns.

Catalist is home to a dedicated, creative team of technologists, data scientists, and campaign experts committed to using our talents and technology to nurture a vibrant and growing progressive community.

Catalist is currently seeking applicants for a Business Development Associate. This position provides an opportunity to gain firsthand experience working at the intersection of data, analysis, and progressive and Democratic politics. The Business Development Associate will regularly interact directly with clients and data.

The Business Development Associate is both a forward-facing and behind-the-scenes role, and requires an individual with comfort and interest in both sides of supporting progressive organizations’ data needs. The Business Development Associate will work across departments alongside other members of the Marketing team and will take ownership of numerous projects from start to finish. This role will support a variety of elements of business development, including email outreach.

This is not a traditional outgoing sales position, though sales or marketing experience will be beneficial.

Success requires a balance of personable “customer service” communication with clients, excellent follow-through, and ability to translate client needs to data deliverables. A willingness to occasionally work outside of normal business hours is required, particularly from Labor Day to Election Day.

This position reports to the Director of Business Development and Chief Client Officer and is part of the Marketing Team.

This position is included in our CWA bargaining unit.

Core Duties & Responsibilities

• Work cross-departmentally to fulfill inbound projects as assigned from start to finish; successfully deliver requests on time, accurately, and in a client-friendly format with actionable insights where applicable
• Communicate effectively and professionally with clients verbally and through email to define client requests
• Work closely with the Business Development Director and Chief Client Officer to develop marketing and outreach collateral
• Draft and execute external communications in Axios; maintain outreach lists in cooperation with Client Services team
• Coordinate client-facing calendar and planning documents with the Data and Client Services teams
• Monitor news for industry and client stories of note

Requirements

• Experience working in campaigns, organizing, or advocacy OR a combination of experience in the political field and in sales/marketing
• Excited to work with progressive clients of all backgrounds and a strong desire to learn more about how those clients leverage political data in their work
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail
• Excellent project management skills, including ability to handle multiple projects at once
• Comfortable communicating through Zoom (or similar software) and phone
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work well within and across teams
• Curiosity to innovate with AI tools
• Occasionally attend and assist with planning meetings, special events, and conferences in the Washington, DC area
• Background check required

Preferred Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of Salesforce
• Experience using Axios or other email communication platform
• Experience drafting client proposals and decks
• Experience implementing AI tools to streamline processes and increase efficiency
• Experience using voter file data in a professional capacity

$58,000 – $66,000 a year

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug

Catalist offers Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Drug coverage for eligible staff and their eligible dependents. Catalist’s Medical plan is a comprehensive PPO program including Prescription Drug coverage with 85% of the premium paid by Catalist. We also offer an HDHP plan with HSA eligibility. Dental and Vision coverage is provided at no cost to employees.

Group Term Life Insurance and Long-Term & Short-Term Disability Coverage

Group Term Life Insurance and Long-Term and Short-Term Disability coverage is available for eligible staff. These benefits are provided at no cost to Catalist employees.

401(k) Safe Harbor Plan

A 401(k) Safe Harbor Plan is available to eligible staff with a 3% contribution from Catalist from the date of hire. Employees may contribute pre-tax or post-tax from their salary up to the legal limits set forth by the IRS.

Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Catalist offers an FSA Program that gives eligible staff the ability to pay out-of-pocket medical/dental/vision/child care expenses from pre-tax earnings.

Transit Benefits

Catalist also makes available a Transit benefit FSA program to eligible employees using pre-tax contributions with a company match.

Professional Development and Remote Work Expenses

Eligible employees may be reimbursed up to $750 each year for professional development / education and $500 for remote work expenses.

Student Loan PayDown or SaveUp

Catalist offers a Student Loan PayDown and College SaveUp benefit for eligible staff.

Vacation, Personal Leave, Sick Leave Benefits

Catalist offers generous vacation benefits to all eligible staff. Eligible employees also receive:

• – 15 Paid Holidays (16 in Presidential Inauguration years)
• – Personal Days
• – Sick Leave
• – Parental Leave

Hybrid Office/Remote Work

Certain positions at Catalist are eligible for Office/Remote Hybrid or full Remote status.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.