Sales Development Associate

About this Job NielsenIQ is a leading market research firm. Our Financial Services team provides alternative data products to both buy-side and sell-side financial institutions through first-party and third-party data sets. We are seeking a motivated and customer-focused Sales Associate (0-2 years' experience) to support our sales and client relationship efforts. This entry-level role is ideal for a recent graduate or early-career professional interested in developing a career in financial services, sales, and relationship management. The successful candidate will be responsible for prospecting new business opportunities, coordinating meetings with existing clients, and assisting with the preparation and organization of client review meetings. This role offers an excellent opportunity for an ambitious professional to gain hands-on sales experience while developing client relationship management and business development skills. Key Responsibilities Business Development & Prospecting Identify and research prospective clients through various sources, including referrals, networking, and industry databases. Conduct outbound outreach via phone, email, and social media to generate new business opportunities. Maintain and update prospect information within the CRM system. Schedule introductory meetings for senior sales team members. Client Relationship Support Coordinate and schedule meetings with existing clients. Serve as a point of contact for routine client inquiries and requests. Assist in maintaining strong client relationships through regular follow-up communications. Ensure client records and contact information remain accurate and up to date. Client Review Coordination Assist in the planning and organization of client review meetings. Prepare meeting materials, agendas, and presentation packages. Coordinate meeting logistics, including scheduling and calendar management. Track follow-up items and ensure action items are documented and communicated appropriately. Sales Administration Maintain accurate sales activity records and reporting. Support the sales team with administrative and operational tasks. Assist with pipeline management and opportunity tracking. Contribute to team initiatives and special projects as assigned. A minimum of 0 to 2 years' work experience Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Finance, Economics or Marketing. Ability to work a hybrid schedule of 3 days per week in office: 19 Old Kings Highway South, Suite 200, Darien, CT 06820 Outstanding verbal, written and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Manage the sales process through targeted phone calls, one-on-one meetings, and group presentations. Must be proficient with Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel and Word. A high level of motivation, the drive to take initiative and work both independently and as a team member; a self-starter. Follow-through is an absolute must have. Proven ability to maintain a high level of activity to reach goals and objectives. Ability to work with limited supervision. Key Competencies Strong verbal and written communication skills Professional client service mindset Attention to detail Self-motivation and initiative Relationship-building skills Problem-solving ability Collaboration and teamwork Results-oriented approach Personal Attributes Entrepreneurial and ambitious with a drive to succeed. Demonstrates a strong work ethic and commitment to meeting business objectives, including flexibility to work beyond standard business hours when needed. Goal and detail oriented. Sense of urgency and service-orientation both internally and externally; strong customer service skills. Strong work ethic with professional behavior & appearance and personal integrity. Ability to add value by using creativity and independent thinking. Intellectual curiosity, initiative, resourcefulness, and tact. Excellent negotiation and listening skills. Strong organizational skills. Able to work effectively with team members with uncompromising ethics, initiative and integrity. US Benefits Comprehensive healthcare plan (medical, Rx, dental, and vision). Flexible spending accounts and a Health Savings Account (including company contributions). Life and AD&D insurance. 401(k) retirement plan including company matching contributions. Disability insurance. Tuition Reimbursement. Discretionary paid time off program and 11 paid holidays. Flexible working environment Volunteer time off LinkedIn Learning Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP) #LI-Hybrid This role has a market-competitive salary with an anticipated base compensation of the following range: $41,000.00 - $65,000.00. Actual salaries will vary depending on a candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills, and location. This role is eligible for a sales-based incentive or performance-based bonus. Other benefits include a flexible working environment, comprehensive health insurance, industry-leading parental leave, life insurance, education support and more.  Our Benefits Flexible working environment Volunteer time off LinkedIn Learning Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP) NIQ may utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools at various stages of the recruitment process, including résumé screening, candidate assessments, interview scheduling, job matching, communication support, and certain administrative tasks that help streamline workflows. These tools are intended to improve efficiency and support fair and consistent evaluation based on job-related criteria. All use of AI is governed by NIQ’s principles of fairness, transparency, human oversight, and inclusion. Final hiring decisions are made exclusively by humans. NIQ regularly reviews its AI tools to help mitigate bias and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If you have questions, require accommodations, or wish to request human review were permitted by law, please contact your local HR representative. For more information, please visit NIQ’s AI Safety Policies and Guiding Principles: https://nielseniq.com/global/en/info/niqs-ai-safety-policies/ About NIQ NIQ is the world’s leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. In 2023, NIQ combined with GfK, bringing together the two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insights—delivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platforms—NIQ delivers the Full View™. NIQ is an Advent International portfolio company with operations in 100+ markets, covering more than 90% of the world’s population. For more information, visit NIQ.com Want to keep up with our latest updates? Follow us on: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion At NIQ, we are steadfast in our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace that mirrors the rich diversity of the communities and markets we serve. We believe that embracing a wide range of perspectives drives innovation and excellence. All employment decisions at NIQ are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We invite individuals who share our dedication to inclusivity and equity to join us in making a meaningful impact. To learn more about our ongoing efforts in diversity and inclusion, please visit the https://nielseniq.com/global/en/news-center/diversity-inclusion