Business Development Representative

Tavus; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Uncapped commission

Equity

Flexible schedule

Unlimited PTO

Healthcare coverage

Stipends

Team offsites

Job summary

Tavus is scaling rapidly in San Francisco and is seeking a Business Development Representative to own the top of the funnel. You’ll lead outbound efforts across email, phone, LinkedIn, and more, leveraging an AI twin to engage and convert developers, product leaders, and GTM executives.

You will build AI‑native prospecting workflows, qualify inbound signals, prioritize target accounts, and collaborate with AEs to close opportunities. This hands‑on role requires travel and in‑person presence.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years in a BDR, SDR, or event‑driven sales role, ideally at an AI, developer tools, or API‑first SaaS startup.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills: you can hold your own with a staff engineer evaluating our API and a VP of CX evaluating ROI in the same day.
• AI‑native by default: you already use AI tools daily to research, write, and automate, and you’re energized by building outbound systems, not just working a list.
• Comfortable with the modern outbound stack (Clay, Apollo, HubSpot, and sequencing/engagement tools), or eager to learn quickly.
• Experience attending, organizing, or working conferences, events, or trade shows.
• Passion for AI, startups, and emerging technology; you follow the space and have opinions about it.
• Highly organized, self‑motivated, and excited to build processes from the ground up.
• Willingness to travel for events and be based in San Francisco (this is an in‑person role)

Responsibilities

• Own the top‑of‑funnel pipeline by driving outbound across email, phone, LinkedIn, video, and other creative channels, including outreach powered by Tavus itself (your AI twin works while you sleep)
• Build and run AI‑native prospecting workflows: enrich and prioritize accounts with tools like Clay and Apollo, act on product and intent signals, and automate the busywork so you can focus on the conversations that matter
• Qualify and convert inbound and product‑led signals (self‑serve developer signups, API usage spikes, and hackathon builders) into enterprise opportunities
• Identify, research, and prioritize high‑potential accounts aligned to our ideal customer profile across AI‑native startups and enterprise product teams
• Represent Tavus at industry events, conferences, hackathons, and meetups to generate leads and spark strategic conversations
• Partner with AEs to run strategic outbound plays and qualify new opportunities
• Refine messaging based on what you’re hearing in the field and contribute ideas to improve outreach performance
• Maintain accurate records in the CRM and contribute to ongoing improvements in reporting and process
• Share field intelligence with marketing and product to help shape positioning and roadmap

Skills

BDR/SDR experience

AI tools usage

Multi-channel outreach

Tools

Clay

Apollo

HubSpot

Job description

About Us

Tavus is a research lab pioneering human computing. We’re building AI Humans: a new interface that closes the gap between people and machines, free from the friction of today’s systems. Our real-time human simulation models let machines see, hear, respond, and even look real—enabling meaningful, face-to-face conversations. AI Humans combine the emotional intelligence of humans with the reach and reliability of machines, making them capable, trusted agents available 24/7, in every language, on our terms. Imagine a therapist anyone can afford. A personal trainer who adapts to your schedule. A fleet of medical assistants that can give every patient the attention they need. With Tavus, individuals, enterprises, and developers can all build AI Humans to connect, understand, and act with empathy at scale. We’re a Series B company backed by world‑class investors including Sequoia Capital, Y Combinator, and Scale Venture Partners. Be part of shaping a future where humans and machines truly understand each other.

The Role

Tavus is scaling fast on the back of our Series B, and pipeline is the engine. As a Business Development Representative, you’ll own the top of our funnel: hunting the developers, product leaders, and GTM executives building the next generation of AI-powered experiences. You’ll run an AI‑native outbound motion: signal‑based prospecting, deeply personalized multi‑channel outreach, and, naturally, using your own AI replica to sell the very product you represent.

Your Mission

• Own the top‑of‑funnel pipeline by driving outbound across email, phone, LinkedIn, video, and other creative channels, including outreach powered by Tavus itself (your AI twin works while you sleep)
• Build and run AI‑native prospecting workflows: enrich and prioritize accounts with tools like Clay and Apollo, act on product and intent signals, and automate the busywork so you can focus on the conversations that matter
• Qualify and convert inbound and product‑led signals (self‑serve developer signups, API usage spikes, and hackathon builders) into enterprise opportunities
• Identify, research, and prioritize high‑potential accounts aligned to our ideal customer profile across AI‑native startups and enterprise product teams
• Represent Tavus at industry events, conferences, hackathons, and meetups to generate leads and spark strategic conversations
• Partner with AEs to run strategic outbound plays and qualify new opportunities
• Refine messaging based on what you’re hearing in the field and contribute ideas to improve outreach performance
• Maintain accurate records in the CRM and contribute to ongoing improvements in reporting and process
• Share field intelligence with marketing and product to help shape positioning and roadmap

Requirements

• 1–2 years in a BDR, SDR, or event‑driven sales role, ideally at an AI, developer tools, or API‑first SaaS startup
• Strong verbal and written communication skills: you can hold your own with a staff engineer evaluating our API and a VP of CX evaluating ROI in the same day
• AI‑native by default : you already use AI tools daily to research, write, and automate, and you’re energized by building outbound systems, not just working a list
• Comfortable with the modern outbound stack (Clay, Apollo, HubSpot, and sequencing/engagement tools), or eager to learn quickly
• Experience attending, organizing, or working conferences, events, or trade shows
• Passion for AI, startups, and emerging technology; you follow the space and have opinions about it
• Highly organized, self‑motivated, and excited to build processes from the ground up
• Willingness to travel for events and be based in San Francisco (this is an in‑person role)

Bonus Points If You Have

• Experience prospecting technical buyers (dev tools, APIs, ML/AI products)
• Built Clay tables, agentic workflows, or other outbound automations from scratch
• A creative approach to outbound: AI video, memes, or anything else that stands out in a crowded inbox
• A background in organizing or working field events, hackathons, or community meetups

Benefits

• Competitive salary + uncapped commission structure
• Equity in a fast‑growing, Series B AI research company
• Flexible work schedule with in‑person collaboration in San Francisco
• Unlimited PTO
• Healthcare coverage
• Gear and professional development stipends
• Plenty of fun and team offsites

Our Culture

We’re not looking for culture fits; we’re looking for culture creators. Diversity is what drives our success. It’s at the core of how we hire, build, and communicate. We’re inclusive to all and combine our diverse perspectives to build the best product and experiences possible. Tavus is growing fast, and we’d love for you to grow with us. Ready to get your hands dirty?