Federal-Business Development Representative

Forward; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Forward Networks is seeking a Federal Business Development Representative in the DC area. You will prospect, qualify, and nurture federal accounts, coordinating with Regional Sales Directors to build a robust pipeline and drive discovery calls and demos.

Ideal candidates have 2–4 years of outbound BD experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to tailor outreach to complex federal challenges.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of outbound business development or lead generation experience.
• Experience with federal accounts is a plus.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Target federal accounts through phone, email, LinkedIn, and partnerships with Regional Sales Directors.
• Generate a steady pipeline of qualified opportunities via discovery calls and demos.
• Research target accounts and personas to tailor outreach to business challenges.
• Articulate Forward Networks’ value of a digital twin to educate prospects.
• Collaborate with Sales and Marketing on account-based strategies and feedback.
• Maintain accurate CRM records in Salesforce to ensure pipeline visibility.
• Stay up-to-date on networking, security, and cloud infrastructure trends.

Skills

Communication

Storytelling

Research

Tools

Salesforce

LinkedIn Navigator

SalesLoft

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.