Executive Business Development Representative

About the role

Tunnl provides AI-driven research and audience insights to help brands and advocacy groups navigate complex communication landscapes. This role involves working alongside the CEO to convert their professional network into a consistent sales pipeline. You will act as the primary point of contact for the CEO's outreach, translating high-level relationships into tangible business momentum. The position requires a proactive and disciplined approach to managing a dynamic flow of inquiries and opportunities. You will be responsible for ensuring that every interaction reflects the strategic value of the CEO's brand and expertise. Success in this role depends on your ability to operate with ownership and precision in a high-visibility capacity. You will serve as the bridge between the CEO's network and the commercial offerings of Tunnl.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Collaborate with the CEO to transform their professional connections into active business opportunities by initiating and nurturing targeted outreach.
• Send personalized communications to the CEO's network, including former colleagues and strategic contacts, via email and LinkedIn to build rapport and generate interest.
• Manage and prioritize inbound inquiries resulting from the CEO's public visibility, ensuring timely and thoughtful responses to all prospects.
• Prepare briefing materials and manage scheduling for meetings originated through the CEO, aligning talking points with the intended business outcomes.
• Handle post-meeting communication and ensure momentum for potential deals by documenting next steps and coordinating follow-up actions.
• Update the CRM to reflect all network-driven interactions and pipeline progress, maintaining accurate records for forecasting and reporting.
• Coordinate with the marketing and sales departments to ensure messaging consistency across all channels and touchpoints.
• Assist in managing the CEO's LinkedIn presence to foster engagement, optimize content, and respond to inquiries from industry stakeholders.
• Provide high-touch service to all contacts interacting with the CEO, maintaining a professional and empathetic approach to relationship building.
• Conduct ongoing research to identify new prospects within the CEO's network and uncover additional avenues for business development.
• Monitor market signals and feedback from conversations to inform strategic adjustments in outreach and positioning.
• Support the creation of presentations and proposals that clearly articulate the value proposition of Tunnl's solutions to prospective clients.
• Track key performance indicators related to outreach effectiveness, meeting conversion rates, and pipeline growth.
• Act as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders by sharing insights from the field and highlighting emerging opportunities.

Requirements

• 2 to 4 years of professional experience, specifically in a business development representative role at a startup, demonstrating a track record of driving revenue growth.
• Ability to manage tasks independently with minimal supervision, showing strong self-direction and accountability for deadlines and outcomes.
• Strong verbal and written communication capabilities, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• High level of discretion and professional judgment when handling sensitive information and managing confidential conversations.
• Natural ability to build relationships and prioritize the customer experience, ensuring that every interaction adds value and reinforces trust.
• Capacity to thrive in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities, maintaining composure and effectiveness under pressure.
• Willingness to adhere strictly to the established processes and guidelines set forth by the leadership team to ensure alignment and consistency.
• Commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and representing Tunnl in a manner that enhances the company's reputation.
• Readiness to comply with all company policies, including those related to data security, privacy, and professional conduct.
• Availability to work from the designated office location within the DC Metro Area on a full-time basis as required by the engagement model.
• Adaptability to the unique demands of a relationship-focused sales environment where networking and personal interaction are central to success.
• Willingness to participate in ongoing training and development initiatives to refine skills and stay current with industry best practices.
• Alignment with the company's mission of leveraging AI to enable meaningful connections between organizations and their most important audiences.

Nice to have

• An MBA degree.
• Previous experience in account research or prospecting.
• Long-term commitment to a career in relationship-focused sales.

Skills & tools

• CRM platforms, specifically HubSpot.
• LinkedIn.
• Google Workspace.
• Slack.

Practical notes

Benefits include medical, vision, and dental insurance, along with HSA and FSA options. The company provides life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, and voluntary coverage for critical illness or accidents. Employees receive flexible paid vacation, 80 hours of paid sick leave, and 10 paid holidays. The 401(k) plan offers a 100 percent match on the first 3 percent and a 50 percent match on the next 2 percent. Additional perks include a cell phone stipend and a commuter or parking subsidy for employees based in Virginia. The company maintains a flexible hybrid work policy.