Business Development Representative (BDR)

About Cognite

Embark on a transformative journey with Cognite, a global SaaS forerunner in leveraging data to unravel complex business challenges through our cutting-edge Cognite Data Fusion (CDF) platform. We were awarded the 2022 Technology Innovation Leader for Global Digital Industrial Platforms & Cognite was recognized as the 2024 Microsoft Energy and Resources Partner of the Year. In industrial digitalization, we stand at the forefront, reshaping the future of the Energy and  Manufacturing sectors. Join us in this venture where data meets ingenuity, and together, we forge the path to a smarter, more connected industrial future.

Our values

• Impact: Cogniters strive to make an impact in everything they do. We are result-oriented, always asking ourselves how we can improve.
• Ownership: Cogniters embrace a culture of ownership. We go beyond our comfort zones to contribute to the greater good, fostering inclusivity and sharing responsibilities for challenges and success. 
• Relentless: Cogniters are relentless in their pursuit of innovation. We are determined and deliverable (never ruthless or reckless), facing challenges head-on and viewing setbacks as opportunities for growth. 

About the Marketing team

At Cognite, the Marketing team drives awareness, engagement, and pipeline growth for our industrial software solutions. Comprising experts in digital marketing, content, product marketing, events, communications, and demand generation, we work to communicate Cognite's value, develop strategic campaigns, and build brand recognition. Our primary focus is to inspire and educate the market, generating high-quality leads that fuel the sales pipeline. We continuously refine our strategies, collaborate closely, and push ourselves to achieve excellence.

Overview of the BDR role

• The Business Development Representative (BDR) drives pipeline growth by identifying, engaging, and qualifying leads.
• This role is one of the first touchpoints for prospects, and it has the opportunity to set the tone for the sales cycle that follows.
• You will possess expertise in understanding the unique challenges faced by clients in the manufacturing sector, and your role is crucial in initiating relationships with potential customers. 
• A significant part of your job will involve following up with inbound leads promptly, ensuring that no opportunities are missed.
• You will also attend events, manage event leads, and conduct outreach to nurture these relationships through the sales funnel. 
• Working closely with the sales team and marketing, your proactive approach will ensure a steady flow of high-quality leads, enabling the sales team to focus on closing deals and expanding existing accounts. 
• In this role, you will gather valuable market insights, contributing to our understanding of customer needs and preferences. You will thrive in a collaborative environment that encourages knowledge sharing, idea generation, and continuous learning.

What You'll Do

• Take the lead in outbound prospecting: identifying, engaging, and qualifying key decision-makers in target accounts through personalized outreach across email, phone, and social media.
• Follow up on inbound marketing leads, identifying qualified opportunities and providing the right level of information to engaged prospects.
• Run qualification meetings with prospects to deeply understand their needs and determine fit. The goal is to transfer as many high-quality opportunities as possible to the sales team.
• Collaborate closely with strategic account executives to develop account intelligence, stakeholder maps, and use case opportunities through direct engagement and insight tools.
• Partner effectively with Cogniters across various teams to enhance collaboration and achieve shared goals.
• Engage in bright and meaningful phone, email, and social media conversations to build relationships with potential clients.
• Serve as the subject matter expert on Cognite's product offerings, clearly conveying their value to prospects.
• Craft personalized messages for key stakeholders in target accounts and develop effective outreach tactics.
• Continuously seek to improve and optimize both outbound and inbound efforts to enhance overall effectiveness.
• Conduct thorough research and account planning for target accounts to inform your outreach strategy.
• Work closely with the Marketing team to support campaigns through initial outreach and post-campaign follow-ups, driving engagement with target accounts.

Who You Are

• You bring 1-3 years of experience in sales development within the technology or industrial sector, showcasing your ability to drive results and foster relationships.
• You are proficient in prospecting using various sales tools, including Zoominfo, Salesforce, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, HubSpot, Outreach, and 6Sense, enabling you to effectively engage with potential clients.
• Experience in the Energy and/or Manufacturing industry is a distinct advantage, giving you insights into sector-specific challenges.
• Interest and experience within the AI space are highly advantageous
• You are motivated to design and optimize best practices for the BDR role.
• With exceptional oral and written communication skills, you excel at listening and fostering positive, energetic conversations in person, virtually, and over the phone.
• You have a keen ability to understand customer business initiatives, pain points, and requirements, and correlate them with the business value Cognite can provide.
• Your strong organizational skills allow you to manage multiple requests and time demands simultaneously while achieving production goals across your assigned territory or accounts.
• You are eager to learn about the Manufacturing vertical, demonstrating your commitment to professional growth.
• You are comfortable with travel across the US and Europe, as part of your role.
• Proactive by nature, you thrive in a self-directed environment and deliver results without the need for micromanagement.
• You effectively collaborate with a global team, navigating the challenges of different time zones with ease.
• Disciplined and persistent, you uphold strong work ethics that drive your success.
• Your confidence shines through in your interactions, helping you establish trust and rapport with clients.

What will your day look like

• Quickly follow up on any new inbound leads to ensure timely engagement with interested prospects.
• Prospecting by using sales tools like ZoomInfo, Sales Navigator, Salesforce, and LinkedIn to identify and research potential leads within target accounts.
• Conducting outreach activities through phone calls, emails, and social media, personalizing messages based on the prospect's needs and industry.
• Following up with leads generated from recent outreach efforts or events, ensuring that prospects remain engaged.
• Researching target accounts to understand their pain points and identify new opportunities for engagement.
• Participating in feedback sessions with the team or manager to review challenges, share insights from interactions with prospects, and discuss strategies for improvement.
• Wrapping up the day by reviewing accomplishments, updating CRM systems with notes and next steps, and planning outreach activities for the following day.
• Allocating time for professional development by engaging with industry articles, webinars, or training sessions to enhance skills and knowledge relevant to the role.