Business Development Associate

Company Descriptionakirolabs is a Berlin-based AI SaaS company redefining how enterprises think and act in strategic procurement. Our next-generation platform fuses world-class methodology with proprietary AI to turn complex data and collaboration into powerful, value-driven strategies.Founded in 2021 and backed by leading venture investors, we're trusted by global leaders like UCB Pharma, Bertelsmann, and Raiffeisen Bank International. Recognized by Spend Matters as a Future 5 ProcureTech startup and by appliedAI as one of Germany's top AI innovators, akirolabs is shaping the intelligence layer of the enterprise.At akirolabs, humans and AI work side by side — not to automate decisions, but to amplify them. We're on a mission to empower the next generation of procurement and business talent to drive sustainable impact, faster decisions, and smarter strategies worldwide.Join us as we build the global operating system for strategic procurement — and help reinvent how business strategy gets done.Job DescriptionThe impact you'll makeJoin akirolabs at a defining stage of growth, where your work will directly influence how we expand our market reach and connect with the world's leading procurement and category management teams. As a Business Development Associate (Intern), you'll be on the frontlines of our go-to-market engine — turning insights, conversations, and data into real opportunities that power akirolabs' growth.You'll take ownership of building our sales pipeline — researching target accounts, crafting personalized outreach, and engaging decision-makers to open doors for our sales team. Your curiosity, discipline, and drive will help shape how we identify and qualify opportunities, setting the foundation for predictable revenue growth.In a market rapidly evolving with AI-driven transformation, your ability to combine human connection with intelligent automation will be key. Every conversation you start, every lead you uncover, and every relationship you build will directly impact akirolabs' journey to become the global leader in procurement transformation.In this role you will:Theme 1: Prospecting & Lead GenerationResearch accounts to identify the right personas at target prospects & own the execution of outbound prospecting.Analyze competitive activity and market trends while leveraging LinkedIn social listening to uncover opportunities, generate leads, and drive pipeline growth.Design, operate, and monitor automated multi-channel outbound systems that push leads in our pipeline and create new opportunities.Initiate highly personalized conversations with the help of AI to build relationships with highly engaged prospects through a mix of phone calls, emails, and LinkedIn messages (150–250 contacts/week).Support outreach efforts by drafting cold emails, LinkedIn messages, and other go-to-market materials.Theme 2: Lead Qualification & Pipeline ManagementQualify and follow up on inbound leads and collaborate with marketing in nurturing them through the early stages of the sales cycle.Clearly articulate the value of our SaaS product and how it addresses customer pain points in discovery calls.Summarize and manage lead handovers (detailed call reports and qualification summaries) to ensure a smooth transition to later stages of the sales cycle.Theme 3: Sales OperationsCollaborate with GTM to create and execute strategies for driving pipeline & personalized outreach.Maintain and enrich CRM data while producing weekly sales insights and performance reports.Collaborate with marketing to develop sales assets, including one-pagers, presentations, and outreach sequences.Your 6-months Journey:Month 1: Master the FundamentalsDeep dive to get to know our product, customers, and sales methodology. Shadow sales discovery calls, start practicing prospecting and outreach calls/emails with structured coaching; Understand how multi-channel outbound systems work and how to run outbound sequences using our sales automation and intelligence tech stackMonths 2-4: Own your pipelineOwn a quota. Master outreach strategies, convert buying signals into opportunities and build consistent pipeline with weekly coachingMonths 5-6: Win your first dealsGet exposure to full-cycle AE work. Prospect, Lead discoveries, assist and deliver demos, navigate stakeholders, and close deals with dedicated mentorshipMonth 7: OutcomeProceed towards the promotion — you can now step into a Jr. Account Executive role and own a quota. Alternatively, depending on internal needs and your interests, you may choose to move into a GTM Engineering and Growth position.QualificationsYour ValuesSelf-motivated, resilient, comfortable handling rejection and maintaining consistent activityExcellent time management and organizational skillsResults-driven approach with competitive spiritAdapt at multitasking and prioritizing effectively..The ability to thrive in ambiguity and work autonomously as a high level contributorTeam-First mentality: flexibility to lead, or support, as no job is too small or too bigComfort with AI tools and willingness to experimentYour ProfileDrive to sell with discipline and initiative – you communicate clearly with senior stakeholders, think analytically, stay coachable, and bounce back quicklyStrong communication, presentation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and engage prospects in meaningful conversations.You are currently pursuing or have already obtained a bachelor's or master's degree in business administration, or a comparable subject at a university or business schoolPreferably, you have initial client exposure in your previous internship/roles (e.g. any client facing discipline such as consulting, partnerships at startup)Familiarity with CRM software tools (such as Salesforce, Hubspot)Familiarity with sales automation and intelligence tools such as Clay, Apollo, Lemlist, HeyReach, Gong is a big plusPossess understanding of B2B SaaS sales and a strong sense for customer needsA constant user and explorer of AI tools - you should already be using Claude/ChatGPT/Gemini/Perplexity tools dailyNative or C2-level German and Strong English skillsYou don't need to meet every single requirement — if you're motivated to learn and grow into this role, we want to hear from youAdditional InformationWhat We OfferEnjoy a highly competitive salary/stipend with above-average remuneration.Flexible and hybrid office culture (2-3 days/week in office)Duration: 6–12 months, with the possibility of extension or transition to a full-time role.Access to sales training (consultative techniques, objection handling)An environment where we enable you to have an impact and where we focus on outcomes, not time-trackingGain training and deep insight into B2B SaaS sales best practices and industry trendsRegular team and social activities26 + 4 vacation days per year (4 fixed "company rest days")Your recruitment process at akirolabsApplication screening > Interview > Take Home Case Study > Final interview > Offer > 30-minutes with our CEO