Inbound Business Development Representative

Hybrid | Full Time |  Non-Exempt

Charleston, SC

About the Company
Founded in 2005, Advantage | The Authority Company provides authority publishing, authority media and marketing, and authority consulting services for CEOs, entrepreneurs, and leaders around the globe. 

Advantage’s Authority Publishing group is one of the most respected independent non-fiction book publishers globally. Consisting of marquee brands Forbes® Books, SXSW® Books, Entrepreneur® Books, and Advantage® Books, Advantage’s Authority Publishing group exclusively publishes CEOs, entrepreneurs, and leaders who are best in business. What began in the spare bedroom of Founder Adam Witty’s home now supports and publishes over 2,500+ authorities in 44 U.S. states and 17 countries. 

Beyond publishing, Advantage’s Authority Media group offers a suite of done-for-you services to help clients build and maintain their authority, including public relations, digital media strategies, serialized content, podcast production, and more. We are committed to helping entrepreneurs, CEOs, and business leaders build their personal brands and establish themselves as leaders in their fields. Recognized as “the authority on authority,” our mission is to help clients become thought leaders and drive business growth.

Advantage’s compelling vision, comprehensive strategy, and relentless focus on implementation are dedicated to serving CEOs, entrepreneurs, and leaders. With a strong emphasis on fostering growth and authority for its clients, the company creates an environment where innovation and impact thrive. If you’re excited to be part of a winning team, Advantage offers an excellent opportunity to advance your career while contributing to the success of influential leaders and businesses. We offer a dynamic, growth-oriented environment where innovation thrives.

Position Overview

We’re seeking a driven sales professional—or an ambitious individual eager to launch a successful and rewarding career in sales—to join our team as an Inbound Business Development Representative (IBDR). In this role, you’ll focus exclusively on lead qualification rather than direct selling. All leads are provided by the company and are generated by our high-performing marketing team.  Your primary responsibility will be to assess and qualify these inbound opportunities for handoff to our senior sales team. 

The IBDR will engage directly with prospective clients—primarily CEOs, executives, and business leaders—to understand their goals and assess whether they are a good fit for our services. While the majority of outreach occurs via email, the ideal candidate should also be confident and comfortable initiating phone calls when appropriate. Once a lead is qualified, you will schedule a meeting with a Senior Sales Executive, who will guide the prospect through the next stage of the sales process. Our clients invest between $55K to over $200K to work with us, depending on the scope of their publishing imprint and media services.

This position offers a unique opportunity to work in close partnership with a Senior Sales Executive in a mentor/mentee capacity. You will benefit from bi-weekly coaching sessions, shadow advanced sales calls, join consultative meetings, and participate in role-playing exercises to strengthen objection handling and other essential sales skills. This hands-on experience provides a valuable foundation in full-cycle sales and is perfect for someone looking to accelerate their career in a high-performance environment.

As part of your ongoing sales development, you'll complete Sandler Sales Training Program - a globally recognized leader in corporate sales training. This program emphasizes building trust and rapport with clients, mastering consultative selling techniques, and consistently closing sales. Top-performing IBDRs will be eligible for promotion to an Outbound Sales Representative role, which includes a higher base salary and enhanced incentive structure.

The ideal candidate is passionate about sales, goal-oriented, and eager to grow. They are a self-starter with a hunter’s mentality—polished, articulate, and confident engaging with executives and entrepreneurs. If you’re ambitious, resourceful, and ready to take the next step in your sales career, we’d love to hear from you.

Expected Outcomes

• Schedule 9 actionable discovery calls for the Senior Sales Executive per week—defined as calls that result in forward momentum within the sales pipeline.
• Respond to high-priority leads within 1–2 business hours, and ensure all after-hours or previous-day leads are addressed before noon the following business day.
• Assess inbound leads using established criteria to determine their potential and prioritize appropriately.
• Maintain regular and timely follow-up with leads not yet ready to convert by leveraging a strategic mix of emails, phone calls, and relevant content.
• Re-engage leads generated through corporate marketing campaigns and conferences attended by the senior sales team.
• Set clear expectations around the sales cycle, confidently handle objections, and guide prospects through each stage of the funnel.

Competencies

• Strong Communication: Able to convey ideas clearly, confidently, and professionally across email, phone, and chat.
• Persistence & Resilience: Demonstrates grit and perseverance in following up with prospects—staying motivated and upbeat despite challenges or rejection.
• Time Management: Skilled at balancing multiple leads, follow-ups, and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proactivity: Takes initiative in outreach and follow-up—staying one step ahead in the sales process without waiting for leads to come in.

Skills and Experiences

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university
• Strong interest in pursuing a career in sales
• Self-starter with a competitive, goal-oriented mindset
• Positive, energetic demeanor with excellent communication skills
• Resilient and persistent, with the ability to handle objections and setbacks
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, team-oriented sales environment

Preferred:

• Experience managing sales or operational pipelines, including tracking activity and progress, and executing timely, strategic follow-ups to ensure workflow efficiency and target attainment.
• Proficiency with tools such as Salesforce, SalesLoft, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, ZoomInfo, Gmail, and calendar management systems.

Reporting Structure

This role reports directly to the Inside Sales Manager.

Work Environment
Only candidates based in Charleston, SC will be considered. This role requires in-person work from our downtown office 2 days per week, with the flexibility to work remotely the remaining days.

Physical Demands

• Regularly sit, stand, and use hands to operate a computer, keyboard, and phone.
• Visual acuity is necessary for reviewing materials and computer work.
• Must be able to sit for extended periods while completing tasks

Benefits
Advantage offers a comprehensive benefits package with a focus on career development and advancement. 

• Generous Vacation/PTO policies.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision plans (eligibility begins the first of the month after 30 days).
• A 401(k) plan with company contributions.
• Additional benefits available after 90 days of employment to support your well-being and professional development.

Advantage | The Authority Company is known for its exceptional workplace culture and values the dedication and hard work of its team members. We create an environment where employees can build rewarding, fulfilling careers.