Business Development Manager (AI-driven)

Design Key Studio is an AI-native software development agency working with startups and businesses primarily in the US market. We build SaaS products, websites, and mobile apps, and help clients integrate AI into their workflows and products, on fixed-price engagements.

We’re hiring a Business Development Manager to build our client acquisition function from the ground up. We don’t have a sales team, and we’re not planning to build a traditional one: our CEO believes a large part of lead generation can be automated with AI agents. You’ll own the process end to end, decide what to automate, manage the agents, and personally handle the human part: calls, qualification, and relationships.

We’re starting part-time, and as results come in, we plan to move to a full-time position.

What You’ll Do

• Own the full new-business cycle: prospecting, outreach, qualification, and moving opportunities through the pipeline
• Build and run outbound strategies to reach startup founders and companies in the US market
• Decide what in lead generation can be automated, set up AI agents and automation tools to run it, and review their output to keep lead and message quality high
• Run discovery and qualification calls, and join client calls with the CEO
• Identify, develop, and manage partnership opportunities (referral partners, agencies, complementary service providers, etc.)
• Set up the tools, channels, and processes for consistent lead generation
• Collaborate closely with the CEO on deal closing
• Track pipeline, opportunities, and conversion metrics, and report on progress

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience in lead generation / business development, ideally within IT outsourcing or software development services
• Experience targeting or working with the US market
• Understanding of how web/app development outsourcing services are sold
• Strong spoken and written English
• A self-starter mindset: comfortable building something from zero with high ownership and little existing infrastructure
• Comfort with outbound tools and interest in AI agents and automation (hands-on experience is a plus)

Nice to Have

• Existing network or connections within the US startup ecosystem
• Experience building a sales/BD function or process from scratch

Format

• Part-time to start (15-20 hours per week), remote, with the opportunity to move to full-time
• Availability for calls in US time zones

What We Offer

• Competitive salary with regular reviews
• Support for individual entrepreneurs with accounting assistance
• Fully remote work
• A clear path for professional development and growth
• A friendly team environment and engaging team-building activities (online and offline)