Entry Level Research Associate Jobs in Washington

ASSYST is seeking a proactive, high-energy Business Development Associate to join our growth team supporting task order staffing and professional services across state Government programs. This entry-level role is designed for a motivated professional eager to build a career in public sector consulting and procurement.

In this role, you will support senior leadership, capture managers, and delivery teams in identifying opportunities, maintaining client relationships, and assisting with responses for task orders, staffing engagements, and professional services contracts. At ASSYST, you will be mentored by experienced industry leaders and supported by a mature corporate infrastructure, providing you with hands-on exposure to the public sector procurement lifecycle and service delivery ecosystem.

Primary Job Responsibilities:

• Pipeline Development Support: Assist in identifying and researching new opportunities for task order staffing and professional services engagements across state Government Agencies. Track upcoming solicitations, staffing needs, and contract vehicles relevant to ASSYST's service offerings.
• Task Order Opportunity Tracking: Monitor procurement portals, agency procurement notices, and cooperative purchasing platforms for task order requests, staffing needs, and professional services solicitations. Maintain internal opportunity trackers and support qualification activities.
• Capture and Market Intelligence: Support capture planning activities by conducting competitive research, agency spending analysis, and labor category benchmarking for state Government Agencies service procurements.
• Client and Partner Engagement Support: Maintain and update contact databases and relationship records to strengthen engagement with agency clients, implementation partners, and staffing partners supporting state Government Agencies programs.
• Proposal and Response Coordination: Assist in the preparation of task order proposals, staffing responses, and professional services bids by organizing requirements, coordinating resumes, compiling past performance examples, and drafting initial response content under the guidance of Proposal Managers.
• Market and Contract Research: Research state Government Agencies contract vehicles, cooperative purchasing agreements, and professional services frameworks that support staff augmentation and consulting engagements.
• Administrative and Business Development Support: Prepare presentations, meeting notes, and briefing materials for client meetings, industry days, and partner engagements.
• CRM and Pipeline Reporting: Maintain accurate records in the CRM (Salesforce) and track opportunity status, staffing requirements, proposal activities, and pipeline metrics for generally state Government Agencies.
• Collaboration with Delivery Teams: Work closely with subject matter experts and delivery leads to understand ASSYST's capabilities in areas such as IT services, program support, cybersecurity, data analytics, and digital modernization, and assist in communicating these capabilities to prospective clients.

Position Requirements and Qualifications

• Experience: 1–2 years of experience in business development, consulting support, staffing coordination, internships, or administrative roles. Experience supporting government consulting, professional services firms, or staffing programs is a plus but not required.
• Foundational Knowledge: Basic understanding of or strong interest in learning about state Government Agencies procurement, cooperative purchasing agreements, task order staffing models, and professional services contracts.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office 365. Ability to learn and use CRM platforms such as Salesforce and opportunity tracking tools.
• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to coordinate across internal teams and contribute to proposal development.
• Organization and Multitasking: Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple assignments in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Analytical and Research Skills: Ability to conduct research on agency priorities, procurement strategies, and labor requirements to support task order pursuit strategies.

Education: Bachelor's degree (BS/BA) from an accredited four-year college or university.

ASSYST is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, military status, national origin or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or applicable local law