Sales Development Representative

Interdependence; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Health benefits

401(k) retirement savings

Paid time off

Parental leave

Career growth

Culture of collaboration

Job summary

Interdependence is seeking a driven Sales Development Representative to manage an inbound pipeline and be the first touchpoint for prospective clients. This role is highly organized, proactive, and learning-focused, with opportunities to grow into closing or leadership over time.

In this 100% inbound position, you will research leads, qualify opportunities, and collaborate with marketing and the senior team to move prospects through the funnel.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in a sales development, business development, inbound lead management, or client-facing role.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build rapport quickly.
• Exceptional organization and attention to detail, with the ability to manage a high volume of leads at once without dropping any.
• Proactive and strategic: you anticipate next steps, spot patterns, and act before being asked.
• Intensely curious and a fast learner, eager to understand new industries, business models, and how communications drives business outcomes.
• Self-motivated, with the ability to independently manage a busy pipeline.

Responsibilities

• Respond promptly and thoughtfully to every inbound lead generated through marketing campaigns, referrals, website inquiries, and events.
• Research each inbound prospect before first contact (company, industry, recent news, key decision-makers) so every conversation starts informed.
• Conduct discovery conversations to understand a prospect's communications challenges and determine fit for Interdependence's services.
• Schedule qualified introductory meetings for senior business development leadership, with a concise brief on each prospect's needs, context, and fit so leadership walks in prepared.
• Manage and maintain an organized, accurate pipeline in our CRM, tracking every lead, conversation, and next step so nothing slips through the cracks.
• Proactively follow up with and nurture leads that aren't ready yet, keeping momentum without being pushy.
• Meet or exceed monthly response-time, qualification, and meeting-booked targets.
• Partner with marketing to share feedback on lead quality, lead sources, and messaging so we can sharpen what attracts the right clients.
• Be a learning machine: stay current on strategic communications and marketing industry trends, and build working knowledge of the industries our prospects come from.
• Participate in weekly pipeline reviews, sharing insights on lead quality, objections, and conversion trends, and bringing ideas, not just updates.
• Represent Interdependence professionally in every prospect interaction, serving as an extension of our brand and values.

Skills

Inbound lead management

Communication skills

Organization

Proactive thinking

Curiosity/learning

Self-motivation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Salesforce

HubSpot

Job description

The PR industry hasn't really changed in fifty years. Relationships, lunches, luck, and a clip report at the end of the month.

Interdependence is rebuilding it from the ground up. Interviewed, our proprietary platform, analyzes 300,000+ stories every day across a network of 250,000 journalists. We turn earned media into something measurable, repeatable, and worth paying for, and apply the same data and discipline across paid, social, content, and brand. Integrated marketing run by one team, on one system, accountable to one result.

Forbes named us one of America's Best PR Agencies. Our 100+ person team works with brands, CMOs, founders, and entrepreneurs across consumer, healthcare, tech, B2B, travel and entertainment.

We move fast. The best argument wins. We hire for sharp thinking, real craft, and ownership from day one. If you want comfortable, this isn't the place. If you want to win, build with us.

THE ROLE

We're looking for a driven Sales Development Representative to help manage Interdependence's growth engine. This is a 100% inbound role. There is no cold calling or cold outreach. Prospective clients come to us, and you'll own a large, fast-moving pipeline of inbound leads from first response through a qualified, well-prepared meeting with our business development team. You'll be the first touchpoint for prospective clients, and we need someone who is highly organized, highly proactive, thoughtful, and strategic in every interaction. Above all, we're looking for a learning machine: someone who absorbs new industries, new businesses, and new challenges quickly and gets sharper with every conversation. This is a high-visibility role for someone who wants to learn the fundamentals of agency new business and grow into a closing or account leadership role over time.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Respond promptly and thoughtfully to every inbound lead generated through marketing campaigns, referrals, website inquiries, and events
• Research each inbound prospect before first contact (company, industry, recent news, key decision-makers) so every conversation starts informed
• Conduct discovery conversations to understand a prospect's communications challenges and determine fit for Interdependence's services
• Schedule qualified introductory meetings for senior business development leadership, with a concise brief on each prospect's needs, context, and fit so leadership walks in prepared
• Manage and maintain an organized, accurate pipeline in our CRM, tracking every lead, conversation, and next step so nothing slips through the cracks
• Proactively follow up with and nurture leads that aren't ready yet, keeping momentum without being pushy
• Meet or exceed monthly response-time, qualification, and meeting-booked targets
• Partner with marketing to share feedback on lead quality, lead sources, and messaging so we can sharpen what attracts the right clients
• Be a learning machine: stay current on strategic communications and marketing industry trends, and build working knowledge of the industries our prospects come from, so you can speak credibly to their challenges and opportunities
• Participate in weekly pipeline reviews, sharing insights on lead quality, objections, and conversion trends, and bringing ideas, not just updates
• Represent Interdependence professionally in every prospect interaction, serving as an extension of our brand and values

QUALIFICATIONS

• 3+ years of experience in a sales development, business development, inbound lead management, or client-facing role (agency, SaaS, or professional services background a plus)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build rapport quickly
• Exceptional organization and attention to detail, with the ability to manage a high volume of leads at once without dropping any
• Proactive and strategic: you anticipate next steps, spot patterns, and act before being asked
• Intensely curious and a fast learner, eager to understand new industries, business models, and how communications drives business outcomes
• Self-motivated, with the ability to independently manage a busy pipeline
• Experience with CRM tools (Salesforce, HubSpot, or similar) preferred
• A growth mindset and strong work ethic: someone who's coachable, competitive, and eager to develop

PREFERRED

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Communications, Marketing, or a related field
• Familiarity with research tools (LinkedIn Sales Navigator, ZoomInfo, or similar) to quickly get smart on inbound prospects
• Understanding of public relations, strategic communications, or marketing is a bonus, though not required
• Track record of exceeding lead conversion, response-time, or meeting-booked targets

WHY YOU'LL LOVE WORKING AT INTERDEPENDENCE

• 100% Remote, Forever - Work from anywhere in the world while you enjoy the flexibility of your fully remote workplace. Skip the annoying commute, create a workspace that works for you, and collaborate with teammates across the country, all without sacrificing connection or career growth.
• Comprehensive Health Benefits - Choose from three Anthem Blue Cross PPO medical plans, plus dental and vision coverage to support your health and well-being.
• Retirement Savings - Save for the future with our 401(k) program, including a company match that is increasing further to 3% in 2027.
• Work-Life Balance - Enjoy paid vacation, sick time, 11 company holidays, a floating holiday, and Summer Fridays to recharge and spend more time doing what you love.
• Paid Parental Leave - We support growing families with paid parental leave, giving new parents dedicated time to recover, bond with their baby, and return to work with confidence.
• Career Growth - As one of the nation's fastest-growing strategic integrated marketing and communications firms, we're committed to helping ambitious people like you grow. Take on meaningful challenges, develop new skills, lead from every level, and build a career with meaningful real impact.
• Supportive, Collaborative Culture - We set high standards, celebrate big wins, and work together to achieve exceptional results. You'll join a team that's collaborative, entrepreneurial, and committed to helping one another succeed.