Business Development Associate (Education)

Job Title: Business Development Associate (Education)

About the Role

The Business Development Associate is responsible for prospecting research, scheduling and coordinating conversations with education leaders, and building new relationships within the K-12 and Higher Education markets. This role involves phone and email outreach to schedule initial meetings with senior education leaders. It requires exceptional communication, critical thinking, and strong organizational skills to manage the outreach process, coordinate with internal staff, and demonstrate Hanover’s value. This is an opportunity for someone interested in collaborating with a team, managing a sales territory, and learning how education leaders leverage research and grant development support to achieve their strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify potential new clients whose roles align with Hanover’s capabilities.
• Craft custom strategic messages to senior leaders based on their history with Hanover, individual focus areas, and institution’s strategic goals.
• Make 50+ calls and send 15+ emails per day to secure initial meetings and support new business generation.
• Build organizational skills by maintaining a territory and helping an assigned Development Director achieve annual goals.

Skills & Tech Stack

• Delivers clear, professional, and grammatically accurate communication across phone, email, and virtual interactions.
• Actively seeks coaching, implements feedback, and adjusts quickly to new information, processes, and priorities.
• Effectively prioritizes work, manages time, and follows through on commitments with minimal direction.
• Demonstrates a strong work ethic and ability to perform in a fast-paced, metrics-driven environment while overcoming rejection.
• Manages multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy, consistency, and follow-through.
• AI-powered tools for prospect research, messaging, and personalization.
• Sales engagement platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Hubspot, Clearslide, ZoomInfo).

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree, preferred, or relevant experience; all majors are accepted.
• 0 - 2 years of work experience.
• Previous leadership, professional, or internship experience.
• Comfortable with cold calling.
• Strong interest in sales, business development, or client-facing work.

Location

• Hybrid (Office in Arlington, VA) or Remote opportunity.
• VA, DC, MD area highly preferred for Hybrid Environment.

Growth Opportunities

• Comprehensive Training: Structured onboarding program to build knowledge of Hanover's solutions, outreach process, and sales best practices.
• Ongoing Coaching & Support: Continuous coaching from managers, peers, and an assigned Director.
• Rapid Career Advancement: Opportunity to advance to Senior Development Associate role within 6–12 months upon meeting eligibility criteria.
• Senior Associate Academy: Targeted training and development upon promotion to prepare for more senior opportunities.

Compensation

• On Target Earning (OTE): $68,000 per year.
• Base Salary: $50,000.
• Variable Uncapped Commission: $18,000 (when goal is 100% attained).
• Base Salary may increase to $55,000 within the first 6-12 months upon consistent goal attainment and promotion to Senior Development Associate.

Benefits

• Base salary + monthly commissions + individual and team performance bonuses.
• Teamwide incentives for additional bonuses and time off.
• Award-winning training program.
• Starting at 18+ days Paid Time Off.
• 14 observed holidays.
• 401(K) employer matching programs.
• Comprehensive health and dental benefits package.
• Annual company-wide day of service and monthly community events.