Senior Business Development Associate

Senior Business Development Associate We're an independent, AI-powered growth partner to brands like Marvel, Tennis Channel, NYSE, Morgan Stanley, and DistroKid. Our pipeline doesn't build itself and we need a sharp, hungry hunter who can find the right doors, open them, and hand off a qualified opportunity. This is a role for someone who's already proven they can prospect and self-generate pipeline, and is ready to own more. You'll work directly with senior BD and the partners, learn the full deal cycle, and grow fast in an environment that rewards it. Compensation Competitive base salary depending on experience + commission, with annual compensation reviews based on performance. Key Responsibilities * Top-of-funnel pipeline generation: research, prospecting, cold outreach across email, LinkedIn, and events * Qualifying inbound and outbound leads and booking discovery calls for senior BD * Independently owning and closing smaller engagements as you develop * Building and maintaining CRM hygiene your pipeline is your product * Learning to pitch and position our solutions across B2B Tech & SaaS, Media & Entertainment, and Ecommerce * Contributing to outreach strategy, messaging testing, and target account research What We're Looking For * 24 years in a BD, sales, or growth role agency, SaaS, or services preferred * You've sourced your own pipeline before. You don't wait to be handed leads. * Strong written communicator your cold emails get replies * Comfortable with rejection, fast to iterate, allergic to excuses * Curious about digital marketing, performance media, and AI-driven growth you don't need to be an expert, but you need to want to be * Organized, self-directed, and honest about where your deals stand Who We Are Direct Agents is not a traditional agency. We are an elite team of builders and operatorsgrowth strategists, media architects, and creative thinkerswho partner with ambitious brands to drive measurable revenue growth. Backed by Kanopy AI, our proprietary intelligence platform, and exclusive partnerships with tech and media platforms, we deliver the kind of unfair advantage that helps clients dominate, not just compete. We operate at the intersection of technology, media, and strategywhere AI meets human expertise to produce outcomes that neither can achieve alone. Our client roster includes brands like Tennis Channel, Marvel, NYSE, Morgan Stanley, Prologis, and DistroKid. What Sets Us Apart Direct Agents isn't for everyoneand that's by design. We're building something different. * Proprietary AI That Actually Works: Kanopy AI is our custom-built intelligence platformreal-time campaign optimization, media mix modeling, natural language analytics, and algorithm enrichment that gives our clients (and our sellers) a genuine edge. This isn't a buzzword; it's operational. * Exclusive Platform Access: Direct partnerships across Google AI Search, Meta, TikTok, Amazon, Freewheel, Teads, Stackadapt and best in class tech and media partners. * An Elite, Not Bloated, Team: 100+ operators who move fast, think deeply, and ship work that matters. No layers of bureaucracy. Direct access to senior leadership and the executives building the strategy. * AI Integration Across Everything: Claude, ChatGPT, and proprietary AI tools are embedded in our workflowsfrom data analysis and creative versioning to strategic planning and client intelligence. * 8x Crain's Best Places to Work: A people-first culture with a 12-month average time to promotion, a 4-day workweek, and genuine investment in career development. * Certified Minority-Owned Business: 48% BIPOC representation across the agency, 60% female representationa team that reflects the diverse markets we serve. Benefits * Regular performance reviews with quarterly growth path check-ins * Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and mental health benefits (One Medical, Talkspace, KindBody, Health Advocate) * 1524 days PTO/year depending on seniority, plus birthday off, 7 sick/safe days, and up to 12 weeks paid parental leave * New MacBook Pro and access to cutting-edge AI tools across the agency * Dog-friendly office, regular team events, and a culture built around ownership and ambition Location: This role is based in our Austin, TX office. You must reside or be willing to relocate within commuting distance. Apply with your resume and a one-paragraph note on how you've generated a pipeline without being handed it.