Business Development Representative

Perplexity Perplexity · AI Frontier · San Francisco, CA · Business

This Business Development Representative role at Perplexity focuses on driving revenue and qualifying enterprise sales opportunities. The role involves both inbound and outbound sales activities, including social selling, account research, and developing vertical-specific messaging. Responsibilities include maintaining CRM data, responding to inquiries, and iterating on sales sequences. Key requirements include strong communication, vertical expertise, sales acumen, technical aptitude, and a data-driven approach, with a preference for SaaS sales experience and familiarity with enterprise AI/ML solutions.

What you'd actually do

  1. Balance dual inbound and outbound responsibilities to drive pipeline growth
  2. Qualify inbound enterprise prospects using BANT criteria to identify high-value opportunities for Account Executive handoff
  3. Use social selling to represent the Perplexity brand—posting, commenting, and experimenting with new formats to stay top-of-mind with prospects
  4. Research and map accounts within assigned verticals to build comprehensive prospect lists
  5. Maintain pristine data hygiene in Salesforce, ensuring all prospect interactions and qualification criteria are documented

Skills

Required

  • Ability to articulate complex AI/search solutions clearly via email and phone, adapting tone and technical depth to various stakeholders
  • Demonstrated understanding of at least one key industry (e.g., Financial Services, Healthcare, Legal, Consulting) with ability to speak to industry-specific challenges
  • Proven ability to qualify prospects using BANT methodology while maintaining velocity in the sales cycle
  • Comfort discussing enterprise software, APIs, and AI capabilities at a high level
  • Ability to manage competing priorities (closing deals vs. qualifying for AEs)
  • 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

Nice to have

  • 9 months to two 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

What the JD emphasized

  • Exceptional communication skills
  • Vertical expertise
  • Sales acumen
  • Technical aptitude
  • Self-starter mentality
  • Data-driven approach
  • Intellectual curiosity