Business Development Associate

1 big thing: Axios is a media company dedicated to providing trustworthy, award-winning news content in an audience-first format. We are looking for a Business Development Associate (BDA) to join our growing advertising sales team! Why it Matters: Business Development Associates help shape where and how Axios pursues new business. Through industry expertise, account intelligence, and close collaboration with Client Partners, BDAs translate market opportunities into focused prospecting strategies and meaningful conversations with prospective advertisers. Their work strengthens pipeline quality, expands our reach into priority markets, and increases the team’s capacity to develop and grow advertising partnerships. Go deeper: As a BDA, you will develop and execute business-development initiatives across assigned industries, markets, or products. You will work alongside Client Partners to evaluate opportunities, prioritize accounts, understand prospective advertisers’ business needs, and determine effective approaches to engagement. The role combines research and analysis with direct prospect engagement, performance evaluation, and continuous improvement. You will exercise judgment in selecting accounts and stakeholders, developing messaging, evaluating advertiser fit, and recommending next steps. Your responsibilities will include: Shape prospecting priorities: Analyze industry trends, buying signals, account potential, and alignment with Axios audiences and products to develop prioritized account recommendations. Explain the rationale, potential value, and trade-offs behind proposed priorities, and reassess them as market conditions and prospect needs change. Partner on account strategy: Develop account briefs that synthesize prospective advertisers’ business priorities, relevant stakeholders, potential needs, and engagement opportunities. Recommend messaging and engagement approaches, and partner with Client Partners to evaluate alternatives and determine next steps aligned with advertiser needs and revenue goals. Develop prospective relationships: Create targeted outreach connecting prospect objectives with Axios audiences, products, and proof points. Adapt engagement based on responses and results. Evaluate early opportunities: Assess advertiser fit, needs, timing, and potential; nurture interest and equip Client Partners with context and recommended next steps. Improve performance: Analyze outreach effectiveness, prospect feedback, and pipeline progression to identify barriers and evaluate alternative approaches. Recommend and implement approved improvements to targeting, messaging, follow-up, and handoffs, and assess whether those changes improve results. Refine tools and workflows: Test AI and automation with leadership, Revenue Operations, and Enablement to improve effectiveness, validate quality, and create capacity. Build shared expertise: Translate successful campaigns, industry insights, and workflow improvements into practical playbooks and resources for the broader team. Worthy of your time: Ideal candidates will embody an entrepreneurial spirit, a passion for Axios’ mission, and the following skills: Experience in business development, advertising, sales, marketing, or a related client-facing role; at least one year preferred. Strong research and analytical skills, including the ability to translate market information and performance data into actionable recommendations. Sound commercial judgment and the ability to evaluate opportunities, weigh alternatives, and explain priorities. Experience developing targeted outreach and managing early-stage sales opportunities. Ability to build productive partnerships and contribute ideas to shared account and business-development strategies. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to connect advertiser needs with a relevant value proposition. Strong project management skills and the ability to manage competing priorities with initiative and accountability. Proficiency with CRM and sales-engagement tools, and curiosity about using AI and automation to improve results. A willingness to test approaches, learn from feedback, and share successful practices with others. Starting salary for this role is in the range of $65,000 - $75,000 annually and is dependent on numerous factors, including but not limited to location, work experience, and skills. This range does not include other compensation and benefits. Axios is committed to embracing artificial intelligence as a core part of how we work. All team members are expected to actively develop AI literacy and use AI tools to enhance their productivity, creativity, and efficiency. We invest in ongoing learning to ensure every employee is equipped to responsibly and effectively integrate AI into their daily workflows. What Axios brings to the table besides salary: 401(k) with employer match Robust PPO and High Deductible health insurance options on the Blue Cross Blue Shield network Employer Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution for the high-deductible health plan option Dental and vision coverage Primary caregiver 12-week paid leave Generous vacation policy, plus holidays One mental health day per quarter Annual learning and development stipend $100 monthly work-from-home stipend Tele-mental health services through Headspace OneMedical membership, including telehealth services Personal health advocacy resources through HealthAdvocate Inclusive fertility, hormonal health, and family-forming benefits through Carrot Fertility Access to the Axios “Family Fund”, which was created to allow employees to request financial support when facing financial hardship or emergencies Increased work flexibility for parents and caretakers Virtual company-sponsored social events A strong and positive work environment A commitment to an open, inclusive, and diverse work culture Equal Opportunity Employer Statement Axios is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Axios makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.