Business Development Representative

Perplexity; California (MO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Perplexity is seeking a high-energy Sales Development professional to balance inbound and outbound efforts, qualify enterprise prospects with BANT, and orchestrate targeted outbound campaigns to grow the pipeline.

You'll also drive strategic outbound and market development, represent the brand on social platforms, map accounts, tailor vertical messaging, and contribute to top-of-funnel strategy, while ensuring clean Salesforce data and rapid, consultative responses.

Qualifications

• Experience qualifying prospects using BANT methodology.
• Proven ability to maintain velocity in a sales cycle.
• 9 months to two years in SaaS sales development or business development roles.
• Experience selling to technical and non-technical buyers.
• Familiarity with enterprise AI/ML solutions or search technologies.
• Track record of consistently achieving quota.
• Pulling data with Salesforce Reporting, SQL or BI tools.

Responsibilities

• Balance dual inbound and outbound responsibilities to drive pipeline growth.
• Qualify inbound enterprise prospects using BANT criteria to identify high-value opportunities for Account Executive handoff.
• Execute targeted outbound campaigns to penetrate specific industry verticals.
• Use social selling to represent the Perplexity brand-posting, commenting, and experimenting with new formats to stay top-of-mind with prospects.
• Research and map accounts within assigned verticals to build comprehensive prospect lists.
• Develop vertical-specific messaging that resonates with industry pain points and use cases for Perplexity Enterprise.
• Contribute to top of funnel strategy.
• Maintain pristine data hygiene in Salesforce, ensuring all prospect interactions and qualification criteria are documented.
• Respond rapidly to inbound inquiries with consultative, value-driven communication.
• Build and iterate on outbound sequences that drive consistent pipeline generation.

Skills

Communication skills

Vertical expertise

Sales acumen

Technical aptitude

Self-starter

Data-driven

AI curiosity

Fast-paced adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience

Tools

Salesforce

SQL

BI tools

Job description

What You'll Do

Drive Revenue & Qualify Opportunities

• Balance dual inbound and outbound responsibilities to drive pipeline growth

• Qualify inbound enterprise prospects using BANT criteria to identify high-value opportunities for Account Executive handoff

• Execute targeted outbound campaigns to penetrate specific industry verticals

Strategic Outbound & Market Development

• Use social selling to represent the Perplexity brand-posting, commenting, and experimenting with new formats to stay top-of-mind with prospects

• Research and map accounts within assigned verticals to build comprehensive prospect lists

• Develop vertical-specific messaging that resonates with industry pain points and use cases for Perplexity Enterprise

• Contribute to top of funnel strategy

Sales Operations & Excellence

• Maintain pristine data hygiene in Salesforce, ensuring all prospect interactions and qualification criteria are documented

• Respond rapidly to inbound inquiries with consultative, value-driven communication

• Build and iterate on outbound sequences that drive consistent pipeline generation

What You'll Need

Core competencies

Exceptional communication skills: Ability to articulate complex AI/search solutions clearly via email and phone, adapting tone and technical depth to various stakeholders

• Vertical expertise: Demonstrated understanding of at least one key industry (e.g., Financial Services, Healthcare, Legal, Consulting) with ability to speak to industry-specific challenges

• Sales acumen: Proven ability to qualify prospects using BANT methodology while maintaining velocity in the sales cycle

• Technical aptitude: Comfort discussing enterprise software, APIs, and AI capabilities at a high level

• Self-starter mentality with ability to manage competing priorities (closing deals vs. qualifying for AEs)

• Data-driven approach to tracking conversion rates, response times, and pipeline metrics

• Intellectual curiosity about how AI and advanced search transform enterprise workflows

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment where processes are still being defined

Nice to Haves

• 9 months to two years in SaaS sales development or business development roles

• Experience selling to technical and non-technical buyers

• Familiarity with enterprise AI/ML solutions or search technologies

• Track record of consistently achieving 100%+ of quota

• Pulling data with Salesforce Reporting, SQL or Business intelligence tools

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience

• Experience at a high-growth technology startup