1

Associate Business Development Representative Jobs in Illinois

Associate Business Development Representative

Chicago, IL · On-site

$45K - $62K/yr

An Associate Business Development Representative (BDR) is responsible for identifying new business opportunities with small and medium-sized customers, building, and maintaining relationships with ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Associate Business Development Representative information

See Illinois salary details

$28.1K

$54K

$89.2K

How much do associate business development representative jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate business development representative in Illinois is $54,045.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,100.00 and $59,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate business development representative?

Associate Business Development Representatives are entry-level professionals who support a company's growth by identifying potential clients, generating leads, and assisting senior sales staff. They typically conduct research, reach out to prospects, and help nurture relationships to build a sales pipeline. Their role is crucial in helping organizations expand their customer base and achieve revenue targets. This position often serves as a stepping stone to more advanced sales or business development roles within a company.

What are some common challenges faced by an associate business development representative in their first year, and how can they overcome them?

Associate Business Development Representatives often face challenges such as building a robust pipeline of qualified leads, adapting to fast-paced sales targets, and learning to handle rejection effectively. Success in this role requires persistence, strong communication skills, and a willingness to continuously learn from feedback and more experienced team members. Proactively seeking mentorship, utilizing available sales enablement tools, and regularly participating in team training sessions can help new associates quickly develop the confidence and skills needed to thrive.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate business development representative, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Business Development Representative, you need strong communication, sales acumen, and a basic understanding of business principles, often supported by a bachelor's degree in business or a related field. Familiarity with CRM software like Salesforce and lead generation tools is typically required. Outstanding interpersonal skills, resilience, and a proactive approach help individuals excel in building client relationships and handling rejection. These skills and qualities are essential for generating new business opportunities and contributing to organizational growth in competitive markets.

Is an associate business development representative a stressful job?

An associate business development representative role can be stressful due to targets for sales and lead generation, as well as the need to manage multiple client interactions. The job often requires strong communication skills, resilience, and the ability to handle rejection, which can contribute to workplace stress. However, stress levels vary depending on company culture and individual workload management.

What are the most commonly searched types of Business Development Representative jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Business Development Representative jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Associate Business Development Representative jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Associate Business Development Representative job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Business Development Representative job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 66% Full Time, 27% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,045 per year, or $26 per hour.

Associate Business Development Representative

Applied Systems, Inc.

Chicago, IL • On-site

$45K - $62K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 15 days ago


Applied Systems rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

186th of 311 rated insurance


Job description


Amazing Career Moments Happen Here
Transforming the insurance industry is ambitious, we know. That's why at Applied, we're building a team that shows up every day ready to learn, willing to try new things, and driven to deliver innovative software and services that make us indispensable to our customers - all within a culture built on values that make us indispensable to each other too. With 40+ years of experience in the Insurtech game, we're not just redefining what's achievable, we're creating a place where amazing career moments are made possible.
Position Overview
Applied Systems, Inc., a worldwide leader in insurance technology, is currently searching for an Associate Business Development Representative. This person will play a crucial role in managing inbound leads and nurturing them through the qualification process, helping to connect potential clients with the right technology solutions to transform their business. You'll be the first point of contact for many of our prospects, guiding them through the early stages of their journey with Applied Systems.
What You'll Do
  • Engage inbound MQLs and initial inquiries to determine intent, validate fit, and route qualified opportunities to the appropriate sales consultant.
  • Conduct structured discovery to identify core agency needs, qualify against defined criteria, and generate consistent Stage 1 opportunities.
  • Maintain a high-quality early-stage pipeline by accurately applying qualification standards and progressing viable opportunities to Stage 2.
  • Execute outbound outreach (calls + email) to initiate conversations, build initial rapport, and surface potential interest.
  • Capture key prospect insights (pain points, objections, common themes) and share weekly feedback to support messaging and process improvements.
  • Maintain disciplined CRM hygiene by documenting activities, updating opportunity details, and following defined workflows across systems.
  • Demonstrate working knowledge of Applied solutions, ICP, and competitive positioning to support effective early-stage conversations.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

We're Excited to Learn More About You
  • Experience working in a customer-facing role, such as sales, customer support, or business development, ideally in a B2B environment.
  • Experience working in lead qualifying, customer relationship management, or account management.
  • Experience working with CRM software; experience with Salesforce a plus.
  • Associate's Degree (AA) required. Focus in Sales, Business Administration, Marketing, or related discipline preferred.
  • Bachelor's Degree in Professional Sales, Business, or related discipline preferred

Knowledge, Skill & Abilities
  • Effective communicator with a strong phone presence.
  • Sales-driven mindset.
  • Sound problem-solving skills, and proactive efforts in seeking solutions to problems.
  • Proficient in email, word processing, database, spreadsheet in PC environments.
  • Ability to convey a positive and professional image to customers and employees.
  • Ability to handle objections and constructive feedback.
  • Driven to meet and exceed lead qualification and conversion goals, with the ability to work independently.
  • Strong desire to learn about the product, market, and customer needs.
  • Knowledge of industry: Familiarity with our industry and market (insurance, SaaS, technology, etc.) is a plus but not required.
  • Comfortable with sales and marketing tools such as live chat.
  • Comfortable using a variety of digital tools, including email, chat, video conferencing, and collaboration platforms.
  • Familiarity with online research tools to better understand prospect needs and backgrounds is a plus.
  • Introductory knowledge of inbound sales methodologies or Lead Qualification frameworks is preferred.

Key Performance Outcomes
  • Inbound inquiries are handled promptly and with professionalism, resulting in qualified next steps or appropriate resolution.
  • Client and prospect needs are accurately identified and documented, ensuring relevant solutions are aligned to business challenges.
  • Engagement with warm leads results in scheduled follow-ups, discovery meetings, or handoffs to sales team as appropriate.
  • Prospects receive a personalized experience that reflects their specific needs and business context, increasing conversion likelihood.
  • Leads are tracked and nurtured through the sales process using approved tools and cadence, contributing to a healthy pipeline.
  • Effective coordination with the sales team ensures seamless handoffs and up-to-date opportunity tracking.
  • Activity and opportunity output consistently meet or exceed established benchmarks (e.g., calls, emails, qualified leads).

We know that talent comes from all backgrounds and experience levels. We encourage military members and their spouses as well as candidates without a degree or a background in tech to apply!
When You Join Team Applied, You Can Expect
A culture that values who you are and recognizes that you aren't just an employee; you are a teammate, and you matter. We thrive on the benefits of our different experiences and celebrate the uniqueness our teammates bring to work with them every day.
We flex our time together, collaborating remotely and in-person to empower our teams to work in the ways that work best for them.
A comprehensive benefits and compensation package that centers our teammates and helps them to bring their best to work every day:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
  • Holiday and Vacation Time
  • Health and Wellness Days
  • A Bonus Day for Your Birthday

Our targeted starting total cash compensation in the United States for this position ranges from $40,000 - $48,000. per year. This range includes base salary and on-target performance-based variable commissions. Actual earnings are uncapped, and many team members exceed on-target amounts by surpassing their sales goals. To determine a new team member's starting pay, we consider a variety of factors, including depth, breadth, and variety of experience, skills, and responsibilities.
Learn more about the people behind our products at: https://www1.appliedsystems.com/en-us/about-us/jobs/
Your Security Matters
Our candidates' personal information and online safety are top of mind for us. At Applied, we proactively protect your personal information and only communicate with candidates via a secure @appliedsystems.com email or through our official careers' portal. Recruiters will never request payments, ask for financial account information or sensitive information like social security numbers.
EEO Statement
Applied Systems is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Diversity and Inclusion is a business imperative and is a part of building our brand and reputation. At Applied, we don't discriminate, and we are committed to recruit, develop, retain, and promote regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.
#LI-Hybrid

What Applied Systems employees say

Pay

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom