Business Development Representative - US Federal

Overview

This is an incredible opportunity to be part of a company that has been at the forefront of AI and high-performance data storage innovation for over two decades. DataDirect Networks (DDN) is a global market leader renowned for powering many of the world's most demanding AI data centers, in industries ranging from life sciences and healthcare to financial services, autonomous cars, Government, academia, research and manufacturing.

"DDN's A3I solutions are transforming the landscape of AI infrastructure." – IDC

“The real differentiator is DDN. I never hesitate to recommend DDN. DDN is the de facto name for AI Storage in high performance environments” - Marc Hamilton, VP, Solutions Architecture & Engineering | NVIDIA

DDN is the global leader in AI and multi-cloud data management at scale. Our cutting-edge data intelligence platform is designed to accelerate AI workloads, enabling organizations to extract maximum value from their data. With a proven track record of performance, reliability, and scalability, DDN empowers businesses to tackle the most challenging AI and data-intensive workloads with confidence.

Our success is driven by our unwavering commitment to innovation, customer-centricity, and a team of passionate professionals who bring their expertise and dedication to every project. This is a chance to make a significant impact at a company that is shaping the future of AI and data management.

Our commitment to innovation, customer success, and market leadership makes this an exciting and rewarding role for a driven professional looking to make a lasting impact in the world of AI and data storage.

Job Description

We are looking for a highly motivated and results-oriented Business Development Representative (BDR) to join our growing sales team. This is an entry-level sales role designed for individuals looking to break into the world of sales and business development. As a BDR, you will play a crucial role in building a strong pipeline and maintaining a steady demand engine by engaging inbound leads, conducting event outreach, and driving high-volume prospecting efforts.

This position is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys engaging with prospects, and is eager to develop their skills in sales. The BDR will focus on qualifying inbound leads, following up on event-generated interest, and conducting outreach to ensure a healthy pipeline for the sales team outside of our key target accounts. Candidates should be located in the Washington, D.C. area or surrounding suburbs.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage & Qualify Inbound Leads: Respond to and engage inbound leads in a timely manner, qualifying prospects and ensuring they are a good fit for our solutions.
• Drive High-Volume Outreach: Conduct outbound calls, emails, and LinkedIn engagement to reach potential customers and schedule meetings for the sales team.
• Event & Campaign Follow-Up: Proactively follow up with leads from events, webinars, and marketing campaigns to convert interest into pipeline opportunities.
• Maintain a Steady Demand Engine: Ensure a consistent flow of qualified opportunities by executing a high-volume outreach strategy to build a strong pipeline.
• Collaborate with Sales & Marketing: Work closely with the marketing and sales teams to align on messaging, lead qualification criteria, and pipeline generation strategies.
• Track & Optimize Performance: Utilize CRM tools (Salesforce, SalesLoft, etc.) and sales engagement platforms to log activities, analyze performance, and continuously improve outreach effectiveness.

Qualifications

• 1+ year of experience in sales, business development, or customer-facing roles (or strong desire to enter a sales-driven career).
• High energy, coachability, and a self-starter mentality with a willingness to learn and grow.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills (both written and verbal), with the ability to engage prospects in meaningful conversations.
• Comfort with high-volume outreach through calls (60+ daily), emails, and LinkedIn engagement.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, target-driven environment with a focus on activity metrics and pipeline contribution.
• Proficiency with sales tools such as Salesforce, HubSpot, Outreach, Salesloft, or similar platforms (preferred, but not required).
• Quick learner and adaptable.
• Passion for technology, sales, and helping businesses solve challenges.

DDN

DDN has a very strong orientation towards these 4 characteristics and any successful employee will demonstrate these capabilities:

Self-Starter - Takes independent action to identify and solve problems. Seeks out relevant information needed to make decisions. Gets involved with new initiatives.

Success/Achievement Orientation - Delivers quality results consistently. Targets, achieves (or exceeds) measurable results. Sets challenging goals, focuses on critical priorities, and is accountable.

Problem Solving - Recognizes problems and responds with a systematic assessment that identifies and addresses cause of issue. Practical, realistic, and resourceful.

Innovative - Builds and improves key business processes that enhance the effectiveness of DDN. Generates new ideas, challenges the status quo, and solves problems creatively.

DataDirect Networks, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, sex stereotyping, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.