Business Development Representative (BDR)

Job Description

SV Academy is partnering with a high-growth EdTech company focused on transforming how individuals access education and career opportunities. Through innovative learning solutions and a strong focus on outcomes, this organization is helping learners build practical, job-ready skills that align with today’s workforce needs.As a Business Development Representative (BDR), you will play a key role in driving growth for this EdTech organization by generating new business opportunities and building pipeline. This is a sole BDR role, offering a high level of ownership and autonomy, where you will be responsible for identifying and engaging prospective partners across the education and employer ecosystem. You will thrive in a dynamic, less structured environment, leveraging a proactive approach and strong communication skills to connect with stakeholders and drive meaningful conversations around education, upskilling, and workforce development..

Key responsibilities include:

• Serve as the sole pipeline generator
• Conduct cold outbound outreach via phone, email, and LinkedIn to prospective clients
• Consistently build and maintain a robust pipeline of leads
• Engage with post-secondary education institutions to identify and develop new business opportunities
• Operate independently and proactively, taking full ownership of outreach and pipeline development
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure alignment on outreach strategies and target accounts
• Adapt to a fast-paced, early-stage environment with a high degree of autonomy

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Post-secondary education
• 1-3 years of experience in a BDR/SDR or similar outbound sales role
• Experience conducting cold outbound outreach via phone, email, and LinkedIn
• Experience selling to post-secondary schools or education institutions
• Authorized to work in the United States

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience using CRM platforms such as Salesforce or HubSpot
• Experience with sales engagement platforms like Outreach or Salesloft
• Experience using LinkedIn Sales Navigator
• Experience in EdTech or selling into education institutions

Benefits

• Comprehensive training through a 2-week bootcamp to build foundational tech sales skills
• Paid 90-day residency with an employer partner, offering real-world SDR experience
• Hybrid work environment in the Chicago area with opportunities for in-person collaboration
• Professional development and mentorship from experienced sales leaders
• Potential for full-time placement with partner companies upon successful completion of the program
• Access to a supportive alumni network and ongoing career resources
• Paid time off and holidays in accordance with local standards
• Health insurance and retirement benefits aligned with industry norms for entry-level roles