Federal-Business Development Representative

Forward; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Forward Networks is seeking a Business Development Representative for our Federal team to identify and engage decision‑makers, build a robust pipeline, and educate prospects on the value of our digital twin technology. You will research accounts, tailor outreach to executives and technical stakeholders, and collaborate with Sales and Marketing to drive account‑based strategies.

Chase high activity, qualify opportunities, and maintain Salesforce discipline as part of a dynamic, growth‑oriented

Qualifications

• Must have 2–4 years of outbound business development or lead-gen experience in the federal sector.
• Strong communication, persuasion, and storytelling skills; able to tailor outreach to executives and technical stakeholders.
• Comfort with high activity levels, persistence, and maintaining CRM discipline.

Responsibilities

• Identify and engage decision‑makers at Federal accounts using multiple channels.
• Generate a steady flow of qualified opportunities for Regional Sales Directors by booking discovery calls and demos.
• Research target accounts and personas to tailor messaging and outreach to challenges and context.
• Clearly articulate the value of Forward Networks’ digital twin to prospects.
• Collaborate with Sales and Marketing on account-based strategies and feedback on trends.
• Maintain accurate records of activities in Salesforce to ensure pipeline visibility.
• Stay up‑to‑date on Forward Networks’ platform and market changes.

Skills

Outbound prospecting

Lead generation

Research & personalization

Communication

Tools

Salesforce

LinkedIn Sales Navigator

SalesLoft/Outreach

Job description

Forward Networks is transforming how the world’s most complex networks are managed and secured. Founded in 2013 by four Stanford Ph.D.s, we built the industry’s first network digital twin — a mathematically precise model of the production network that gives IT teams unmatched visibility, verification, and agility across every major cloud and vendor environment.

Our customers include global leaders such as Goldman Sachs, PayPal, S&P Global, IBM, and Dell, as well as fast-growing enterprises and government agencies. According to IDC, Forward Networks customers realize an average of $14.2 million in annual benefits through improved efficiency and security.

Backed by world‑class investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Goldman Sachs, MSD Partners, and Threshold Ventures, Forward Networks offers a people‑centric, innovative culture where brilliant minds are shaping the future of network reliability, security, and AI‑ready operations.

Forward Networks is looking for a Business Development Representative to join our Federal team.

Key Responsibilities

• Targeted Prospecting: Identify and engage decision‑makers at Federal accounts using a mix of phone, email, LinkedIn, and creative outreach in partnership with Regional Sales Directors in your territory.
• Pipeline Generation: Develop a steady flow of qualified opportunities for Regional Sales Directors by booking discovery calls and demos.
• Account Research: Conduct research on target accounts and personas to tailor messaging and outreach to their business challenges and industry context.
• Messaging & Education: Clearly articulate Forward Networks’s value proposition and educate the prospects on the value of a digital twin.
• Collaboration: Partner with Sales and Marketing to execute account-based strategies and provide feedback on market trends and prospect needs.
• CRM Discipline: Maintain accurate records of all activities in Salesforce, ensuring visibility into pipeline activity and performance.
• Continuous Learning: Stay up to date on Forward Networks’s platform and the dynamic changes in the networking, security and cloud infrastructure space.

Qualifications

• Experience: 2‑4 years of experience in outbound Business Development, business development, or lead generation within the federal government. Knowledge of computer networking, security, SaaS or data/technology industry experience preferred.
• Skills: Excellent communication, persuasion, and storytelling skills. Strong ability to research and personalize outreach for executives and technical stakeholders.
  • Persistence, resilience, and creativity in outbound prospecting.
  • Strong organizational skills with ability to manage high activity levels.
• Tools: Familiarity with Salesforce, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, SalesLoft/Outreach, and other prospecting tools.
• Mindset: Competitive, goal‑oriented, coachable, and eager to grow into an Account Executive role.

The expected On‑Target Cash Earnings for this role is between $95,000-$115,000 per year. Within this range, individual pay is determined by several factors including but not limited to, job‑related skills, work experience, and relevant education/training.