Business Development Representative

About the Role

The day-to-day life of a BDR at Cohere involves proactive research and outreach to target accounts across APAC, leveraging tools like LinkedIn Sales Navigator and CRM platforms to prioritize high-fit prospects. You will conduct numerous outbound calls and personalized emails daily, engaging decision-makers and focusing on understanding their pain points and demonstrating how Cohere's AI solutions can address them. Collaboration with the marketing team is also key, as you will work together to refine messaging and campaigns based on prospect feedback, aiming to improve campaign response rates significantly.

Cohere is a team of passionate individuals who are all driven by the mission to make AI accessible and beneficial for all. As a BDR, you will be part of a global technology company co-headquartered in Toronto and San Francisco, with key offices in London, New York City, Montreal, Seoul, Germany, and Paris. This role offers the chance to be part of a company that is leading the way in AI innovation and to contribute to the widespread adoption of AI technologies.

What You Will Do

• Proactively research and identify target accounts across APAC in industries such as finance, technology, manufacturing, healthcare, and the public sector, using tools like LinkedIn Sales Navigator and CRM platforms to prioritize high-fit prospects.
• Conduct 50+ outbound calls and personalized emails daily to engage decision-makers (e.g., CTOs, CIOs, and Business Unit leads), focusing on understanding their pain points and demonstrating how Cohere's AI solutions can address them.
• Qualify leads using the BANT framework (Budget, Authority, Need, Timeline) and document interactions in Salesforce, ensuring a clean and actionable pipeline for the sales team.
• Collaborate with marketing to refine messaging and campaigns based on prospect feedback, contributing to a 15%+ improvement in campaign response rates.
• Stay updated on industry trends, competitor offerings, and Cohere's product roadmap to position our solutions effectively and anticipate customer needs.
• Analyze data to optimize outreach strategies and improve the efficiency of lead generation activities.
• Build and maintain relationships with key decision-makers at target accounts, ensuring Cohere is considered a trusted advisor in the AI solutions space.
• Develop and deliver compelling presentations and pitches to prospects, highlighting the value proposition of Cohere's AI solutions.
• Work closely with the sales team to ensure a smooth handover of qualified leads, facilitating the conversion of these leads into customers.

What We Are Looking For

• 3+ years of experience in business development, sales, or a related role, with a proven track record of exceeding lead generation targets in a SaaS or tech environment.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and build rapport quickly over phone and email.
• Familiarity with CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and sales enablement platforms, with the ability to analyze data to optimize outreach strategies.
• Experience in AI, machine learning, or enterprise software sales, with a basic understanding of natural language processing (NLP) concepts.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, prioritizing tasks effectively and managing time efficiently to meet targets.
• High level of organization and attention to detail, ensuring accurate documentation of interactions and effective management of the sales pipeline.
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing and sales, to achieve shared goals and objectives.
• Strong understanding of the APAC market, including its unique challenges and opportunities, with the ability to adapt sales strategies accordingly.

Nice to Have

• Prior experience working with AI solutions or related technologies, with a deep understanding of their applications and benefits.
• Fluency in languages relevant to the APAC region, enhancing the ability to engage with a broader range of prospects and customers.
• Certification in sales or a related field, demonstrating a commitment to professional development and excellence in sales practices.
• Experience with data analysis tools, allowing for more in-depth analysis of sales performance and market trends.
• Participation in industry events or conferences, staying updated on the latest developments and networking with peers and potential clients.

Benefits and Perks

• A weekly lunch stipend of $75/£75 or equivalent in your local currency for lunch.
• Full health and dental benefits, including a separate budget for mental health.
• RRSP matching, 401K, Pension Scheme, supporting long-term financial security.
• 100% Parental Leave top-up for up to 6 months, for either parent, emphasizing family support.
• Annual enrichment benefits: Arts & culture, fitness/wellness, quality time, and a workspace improvement credit, promoting work-life balance.
• Education & learning stipend for conferences, courses, and coaching, fostering continuous learning and development.
• 6 weeks of paid vacation (30 working days!), ensuring ample time for rest and relaxation.
• Budget for traveling to other offices if you are remote, plus an annual company offsite, facilitating connection with the global team.

• Develop a strong understanding of AI concepts, particularly NLP, to effectively communicate the value of Cohere's solutions to prospects.
• Utilize LinkedIn Sales Navigator and other CRM tools to research and prioritize high-fit prospects, ensuring efficient use of time and resources.
• Prepare to demonstrate how Cohere's AI solutions address specific pain points and challenges in the APAC market, tailoring your pitch to each prospect's unique needs.
• Showcase your ability to analyze data and optimize outreach strategies, highlighting your skill in using data to inform sales decisions.
• Emphasize your experience in collaborating with cross-functional teams, especially marketing and sales, to achieve shared goals and objectives.
• Be ready to discuss your long-term career aspirations and how this role at Cohere aligns with your professional goals, demonstrating your commitment to growth and development.
• Practice articulating complex technical concepts in a clear, non-technical manner, ensuring you can effectively communicate with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.