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Business Development Lead

AnswerLabChicago, Illinois, United StatesRemote

Business Development Lead
Who We AreAnswerLab is a UX research and experience strategy firm that partners with the world’s boldest brands to create experiences people love. We don’t just deliver insights—we shape product direction, influence strategy, and accelerate innovation at companies like Amazon, American Express, Google, and Meta.As a team of experience strategists, we uncover the “why” behind user behavior and transform it into clarity, direction, and momentum for our clients. Whether advising on AI, accessibility, or emerging technologies, we help design solutions that drive measurable business impact and build better futures for users.What makes us successful is simple: the people who work here.

We’re a team of intelligent, curious, and collaborative professionals who care deeply about solving problems and making a difference. At AnswerLab, you’re empowered to lead, grow, and have a real impact—supported by teammates who value thoughtful work, cross-functional collaboration, and yes, even a good laugh along the way.Job Purpose & ImpactThe Business Development Lead (BDL) is responsible for generating and qualifying new business opportunities to support AnswerLab’s growth objectives. This junior sales role focuses exclusively on demand generation and lead generation within target accounts and industries.

The BDL executes targeted outreach campaigns, engages prospects to uncover business needs, and schedules qualified meetings for senior members of the Business Development team. This role is critical in building a strong, high-quality pipeline that enables the broader BD team to focus on advancing and closing opportunities.We are a growing leader in a rapidly growing industry, and we're looking for a Product Partnerships & Operations Manager to serve as the primary point of contact for both vendors and internal stakeholders, ensuring seamless integration of external resources into our service delivery model.Key Responsibilities

  • Demand & Lead Generation
  • Research and identify potential client organizations within priority industries, segments, and territories.
  • Execute multi-channel outreach (phone, email, LinkedIn, events) to engage decision-makers and influencers.
  • Qualify inbound and outbound leads using defined criteria, ensuring fit with AnswerLab’s capabilities and target profile.
  • Schedule discovery calls, introductory meetings, and demos for senior BD team members.
  • Maintain consistent outreach activity to meet or exceed weekly and monthly KPIs for calls, emails, and meetings set.
  • Track and document all lead generation activities and prospect interactions in Salesforce.
  • Go-To-Market & Sales Support
  • Apply existing sales playbooks, messaging frameworks, and qualification scripts to prospect interactions.
  • Collaborate with Marketing to execute targeted campaigns, follow up on event leads, and nurture early-stage prospects.
  • Support the creation of prospect-specific collateral by providing account intelligence and contact insights.
  • Monitor and report on lead conversion rates, providing feedback on prospect quality and messaging effectiveness.
  • Cross-Functional Partnership
  • Partner with Business Development Managers and Directors to align outreach strategies with current priorities.
  • Share prospect and market insights with the broader BD team to refine target lists and approaches.
  • Coordinate with Growth Enablement to leverage tools, templates, and automation for more effective outreach.
  • Continuous Learning & Development
  • Actively participate in training on AnswerLab’s services, GTM strategy, and value propositions.
  • Develop knowledge of industry trends, competitive positioning, and common client challenges.
  • Build skills in solution selling and consultative prospecting techniques to prepare for advancement into senior BD roles.

Key Performance Indicators

  • Top-line revenue growth
  • New business lead volume and quota support

Knowledge, Skills, & Experience

  • 1–3 years of experience in a sales, lead generation, or business development role; internship or entry-level professional experience considered.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage prospects effectively.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM tools (Salesforce experience preferred).
  • Ability to manage time effectively, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Resilient, self-motivated, and comfortable with outbound prospecting and high-volume outreach.
  • Willingness to learn and apply sales methodologies and best practices.
  • Curiosity and drive to understand client needs and align them with AnswerLab’s capabilities.

In addition to expertly meeting the requirements outlined above, your success will be measured on our eight Core Values.AnswerLab Core Values:

  • Build trust
  • Provide amazing service
  • Support and encourage inclusivity
  • Jump in to help others
  • Handle change with flexibility
  • Innovate our products and processes
  • Explore creative solutions to challenges
  • Make AnswerLab a great place to work
  • Physical Requirements:

    • Overtime may be required to meet business objectives
    • Sitting for extended periods of time
    • Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other devices and objects
    • This role may require travel up to 25% of the time

    Note: This job description is subject to change at any time.At AnswerLab, our mission is to create experiences people love. This means we strive to make our company a great place to work for people from all walks of life. Hiring people from a wide variety of backgrounds makes our company stronger and helps us achieve our mission.We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

    Life at AnswerLab

    Answering UX challenges for the world's most innovative brands: from our initial discussions to the final presentation, we are your strategic partner every step of the way. We focus exclusively on user experience research to understand what people see, do, think, and feel when using voice interfaces, AR/VR, websites, mobile applications, wearables, and other digital products. Through thousands of research engagements, we build strategic partnerships that help clients scale their UX impact year over year. To answer your toughest research questions, we employ a mix of techniques, methodologies, and best practices tailored to provide clear, actionable recommendations that generate strategic business results. AnswerLab brings the voice of the user to the conversation, giving you the insights you need to create digital products and services that increase engagement, reduce development costs, drive conversion, and turn your user experience into a business asset.
    Thrive Here & What We Value1. Build trust2. Provide amazing service3. Support and encourage inclusivity4. Jump in to help others5. Handle change with flexibility6. Innovate our products and processes7. Explore creative solutions to challenges8. Make AnswerLab a great place to work
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