Business Development Representative

Everspring is a leading provider of AI-enabled education solutions. Our advanced technology, proven marketing approach, research-based instructional design services, and advanced AI-enabled services deliver outstanding outcomes for our university partners, powering success across higher education in the United States.

We are seeking a Business Development Representative to personally lead prospecting efforts via phone, email, zoom, field-based conferences, and data-driven, targeted outreach informed by market signals and campaign insights.

Your role will be to be the first-point-of-contact for all inbound leads and open-up and initiate new business opportunities that can be developed into longer-term sales deals, 1:1 and one-to-many, with potential customers including college and university Deans, VPs of Enrollment, VPs of Marketing, Vice Provosts, Marketing Directors, Directors of Online Learning, and other executive-level university administrators. You will originate outreach, partner with the B2B team to catch and nurture inbound leads, and work with the sales team to develop the opportunity.

This role is critical as we expand partnerships with institutions navigating shifts in enrollment, student expectations, and the growing role of AI in marketing, recruitment, and workforce.

To be successful in this role, you should have previous experience developing leads by prospecting directly with potential customers and by leveraging company-activated marketing campaigns to meet sales quotas. You will use your communication skills to cultivate strong relationships with customers, from first contact through to deal-framing. If you are motivated and results-driven, enjoy working in a team environment to be client-facing alongside a group of experts to develop sales opportunities, then we'd like to meet you. Ultimately, you will boost sales and contribute to our business growth.

This role reports to the Chief Sales Officer and is located in Chicago, IL offering a hybrid work environment with a minimum of 3 days required in the office every week and additional days as business needs arise.

Responsibilities

• Qualify and develop leads from company-activated marketing campaigns.
• Drive outbound prospecting through a mix of calls, email, social outreach, and targeted account engagement.
• Leverage data, intent signals, and modern sales tools to prioritize and personalize outreach.
• Attend up to a dozen conferences and industry events every year.
• Identify prospective client needs and suggest appropriate products and services.
• Stay current with higher education operational and demographic trends.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the different buying centers, the personas, and the triggers that motivate the prospects you must influence toward the sale.
• Proactively seek new business opportunities in the market through social media outreach and using approved prospecting channels.
• Hold discovery calls via Zoom and set up meetings or calls between qualified prospective clients and the sales team.
• Stay current with new products and services, competitors, trends in AI, and new pricing and payment plans.
• Support data management activities in Salesforce.
• Setup outbound campaigns to targeted profiles using Salesforce.
• Track and report on opportunity velocity and touchpoints using Salesforce.
• Use AI toolkits such as Claude and GPT to accelerate workflows and improve communications.
• Support sales team training activities.
•  Support cross-functional activity to support sales, including feedback loops to B2B on lead activity and efficacy.

Requirementss

• BS degree in Marketing, Sales, Business Administration or relevant field
• Background selling products and services to higher-ed preferred
• Experience with virtual selling into higher-ed preferred
• Must be able to travel up to 25% of the year
• Proven work experience as a Business Development Representative, Sales Account Executive or similar role in the higher-education market preferred
• Applied working knowledge of Salesforce
• Experience supporting CRM and marketing-driven selling tactics
• Hands-on experience with multiple sales techniques, including self-initiated calls, zoom calls, and setup/working conferences and industry events
• Track record of achieving lead-flow and sales quotas
• Understanding of sales performance metrics
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• Ability to deliver highly engaging presentations to small and large groups
• Demonstrated understanding of the higher education operating environment

About Everspring

Everspring is a leading provider of education technology and service solutions. Our advanced technology, proven marketing approach, research-based instructional design services, and robust faculty support deliver outstanding outcomes for our university partners, powering their success online. Everspring offers a range of full-service turnkey solutions, as well as standalone single service offerings, and innovative self-service products that enable universities to establish and maintain themselves as leaders in the digital delivery of education. 

Based in Chicago, Everspring serves a growing number of colleges and universities. Built In Chicago has named us one of the "Best Places to Work" in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025. We were also certified as a Great Place To Work® in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Compensation offered at Everspring will be determined by factors such as location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Position Location: Illinois

The base salary hiring range for this position is: $50,000 to $60,000.

We offer benefits that include hybrid work arrangement, paid parental leave,  medical, dental and vision insurance, FSA, HSA, employer-paid short-term and optional long-term disability, 401k with an employer match vested immediately, a generous PTO plan that accrues with tenure, professional development, tuition reimbursement program, discounted onsite gym, optional pet insurance and more!

EEO Note:

Everspring is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Everspring makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.