Business Development Representative
full-time•San Francisco, New York
About this role
What You’ll Do
Drive Revenue & Qualify Opportunities
Balance dual responsibilities of direct revenue generation and pipeline development for the broader sales team
Qualify enterprise prospects using BANT criteria to identify high-value opportunities for Account Executive handoff
Own and close small to mid-sized accounts (lower seat/FTE requirements) through efficient email communication and concise 15-minute discovery calls
Strategic Outbound & Market Development
Execute targeted outbound campaigns to penetrate specific industry verticals
Use social selling to represent the Perplexity brand—posting, commenting, and experimenting with new formats to stay top-of-mind with prospects
Research and map accounts within assigned verticals to build comprehensive prospect lists
Develop vertical-specific messaging that resonates with industry pain points and use cases for Perplexity Enterprise
Contribute to top of funnel strategy
Sales Operations & Excellence
Maintain pristine data hygiene in Salesforce, ensuring all prospect interactions and qualification criteria are documented
Respond rapidly to inbound inquiries with consultative, value-driven communication
Build and iterate on outbound sequences that drive consistent pipeline generation
What You'll Need
Core competencies
Exceptional communication skills: Ability to articulate complex AI/search solutions clearly via email and phone, adapting tone and technical depth to various stakeholders
Vertical expertise: Demonstrated understanding of at least one key industry (e.g., Financial Services, Healthcare, Legal, Consulting) with ability to speak to industry-specific challenges
Sales acumen: Proven ability to qualify prospects using BANT methodology while maintaining velocity in the sales cycle
Technical aptitude: Comfort discussing enterprise software, APIs, and AI capabilities at a high level
Self-starter mentality with ability to manage competing priorities (closing deals vs. qualifying for AEs)
Data-driven approach to tracking conversion rates, response times, and pipeline metrics
Intellectual curiosity about how AI and advanced search transform enterprise workflows
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment where processes are still being defined
Nice to Haves
1-2 years in SaaS sales development or business development roles
Experience selling to technical and non-technical buyers
Familiarity with enterprise AI/ML solutions or search technologies
Track record of consistently achieving 100%+ of quota
Pulling data with Salesforce Reporting, SQL or Business intelligence tools
Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience
Experience at a high-growth technology startup
What you'll do
- The Business Development Representative will drive revenue by qualifying opportunities and closing small to mid-sized accounts. They will also execute targeted outbound campaigns and maintain data hygiene in Salesforce.
About Perplexity
The most powerful answer engine. Powering curiosity with answers backed by up-to-date sources. This is where knowledge begins.
Ready to join Perplexity?
Take the next step in your career journey
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Business Development Representative do at Perplexity?
As a Business Development Representative at Perplexity, you will: the Business Development Representative will drive revenue by qualifying opportunities and closing small to mid-sized accounts. They will also execute targeted outbound campaigns and maintain data hygiene in Salesforce..
Is the Business Development Representative position at Perplexity remote?
The Business Development Representative position at Perplexity is based in San Francisco, United States and New York, United States. Contact the company through Clera for specific work arrangement details.
How do I apply for the Business Development Representative position at Perplexity?
You can apply for the Business Development Representative position at Perplexity directly through Clera. Click the "Apply Now" button above to start your application. Clera's AI-powered platform will help match your profile with this opportunity and guide you through the application process.