Business Development Representative

Perplexity is a company focused on AI and search solutions, and they are seeking a Business Development Representative to drive revenue and qualify opportunities. The role involves managing small to mid-sized accounts, executing outbound campaigns, and maintaining data hygiene in Salesforce while communicating effectively with prospects. Responsibilities 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 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 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 Skills 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 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 Company Overview Perplexity is an AI-powered answer engine designed to provide accurate, real-time responses to user queries. It was founded in 2022, and is headquartered in San Francisco, California, USA, with a workforce of 201-500 employees. Its website is