Commercial Insurance, Business Development Associate

Are you looking to launch a rewarding career in sales and business development? Hardenbergh Insurance Group is seeking a motivated, coachable, and results-oriented Business Development Associate (Sales Trainee) to join our growing team. This role is designed for individuals who are interested in building a long-term career in insurance sales and commercial risk management. As a Business Development Associate, you'll focus on generating new business opportunities, developing prospecting skills, and learning the fundamentals of becoming a successful commercial producer. Through structured training, mentorship, and hands-on experience, you'll build the foundation needed to advance into an Associate Producer role. What You'll Do: Prospecting & Lead Generation Conduct outbound prospecting through phone calls, email campaigns, and digital outreach Work from assigned target lists, lead sources, and industry-focused prospecting initiatives Generate qualified discovery meetings for the Business Development team Maintain consistent follow-up and prospect engagement activities Build and manage a pipeline of prospective clients Opportunity Qualification Apply agency-defined qualification standards to identify viable opportunities Evaluate prospects based on industry fit, revenue profile, decision-maker access, and business needs Confirm scheduled meetings and maintain strong appointment hold rates Gather preliminary information to help prepare producers for discovery conversations Sales Process & Pipeline Management Maintain accurate and current information within the CRM system Track prospect activity, conversations, meeting outcomes, and next steps Participate in weekly pipeline and activity review meetings Follow established sales processes and stage progression guidelines Support data integrity and reporting requirements Professional Development Actively participate in the USLI 50/50 Program Complete required training, licensing, and development milestones Shadow producer and client meetings to build industry knowledge and sales acumen Participate in role-playing, coaching sessions, and skill-development exercises Continuously develop sales, prospecting, and relationship-building capabilities What Success Looks Like: Activity & Performance Metrics Consistently generate qualified meetings for the Business Development team Maintain strong appointment hold rates and prospect engagement Demonstrate continuous improvement in prospecting and qualifying opportunities Maintain accurate CRM records and documentation Show ongoing growth toward Associate Producer readiness Professional Behaviors Strong coachability and willingness to learn Consistent preparation and follow-through Positive attitude and resilience in a sales environment Excellent organizational and time management skills Commitment to personal and professional development Qualifications: Bachelor's degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience Prior sales, customer service, business development, or internship experience preferred Strong written and verbal communication skills Comfortable initiating conversations and building relationships with new prospects Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) Strong organizational skills and attention to detail Ability to work independently while thriving in a team-based environment Demonstrated desire to pursue a career in sales, business development, or insurance Why This Role? Structured career path into commercial insurance sales Hands-on training and mentorship from experienced producers Opportunity to participate in industry-leading development programs Exposure to business owners, executives, and diverse industries Collaborative team environment focused on growth and development Clear performance expectations and advancement opportunities Compensation & Benefits *Remote on Fridays Target Salary : $50,000- $55,000 base salary, plus incentive compensation Benefits Medical Dental Vision Life Insurance Retirement Plan Paid Time Off Professional Development & Licensing Support Producer Development Program Participation