Business Development Lead Jobs for OPT Students
Business Development Lead roles on OPT require employers comfortable sponsoring future H-1B or O-1 visas, since your work authorization window is 12 months (up to 36 for STEM-eligible degrees). Many BD roles sit at the intersection of strategy and revenue, which maps well to business, marketing, or engineering OPT categories.
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Get Access To All JobsWho Are We?
Over the past 16 years, Afiniti's patented technology has paired customers and contact centre agents in real time based on how well they are likely to interact, leading to better experiences across the entire customer journey. As our products evolve, it is our mission to retain and grow revenue by creating repeatable, AI-driven solutions that transition from high-touch managed services to product-led growth.
Afiniti operates throughout the world and has driven billions of dollars of precisely measurable AI value for our telecommunications, banking, insurance, healthcare, and travel customers.
Our Vision
Afiniti's vision is to lead the contact centre industry by delivering innovative AI solutions that uniquely enhance customer lifetime value and operational efficiency, earning us the trust of leading consumer companies worldwide.
Our Ways of Working
At Afiniti, how we work is just as important as what we achieve. Our Ways of Working are ten guiding principles that define the standards and behaviors we hold ourselves accountable to every day. They push us to act with urgency and discipline, to innovate with data and facts, and to always see our work through the eyes of our clients.
These principles are not abstract values — they are actionable commitments that shape daily decisions, strengthen collaboration, and ensure we deliver outcomes that matter. Together, they encourage us to be intentional in how we prioritize and execute, to confront challenges directly, and to embrace the richness of our global community with respect and openness. By living these principles consistently, we build a culture that is ambitious, respectful, and relentlessly focused on meaningful impact.
The Role
Role Title: Business Development Lead
Location: United States (Remote)
About the Role
The Business Development Lead is responsible for generating new business opportunities by qualifying and nurturing leads. This role focuses on engaging prospective enterprise and mid-market customers, creating interest in Afiniti’s solutions, and securing high-quality meetings for the sales organization. Based in US the BDR partners closely with Account Executives, Sales Engineers, Marketing, and Growth leadership to execute strategies aligned to Afiniti’s GTM priorities. This role is ideal for a driven, coachable sales professional who wants to build a foundation in enterprise technology sales and grow into more senior sales roles over time.
What Will Be Your Key Deliverables
Inbound and Outbound Prospecting & Pipeline Generation:
- Proactively identify and engage target accounts through strategic outbound prospecting across phone, email, and social channels.
- Prospecting new potential customers via email, phone, and digital channels, this will include Account based engagement and Executive level outreach.
- Research and identify target accounts, decision-makers, and business challenges.
- Generate qualified meetings and opportunities for Account Executives.
- Meet or exceed activity and pipeline generation targets, pipeline quota ownership.
Messaging & Value-Based Outreach:
- Deliver clear, compelling messaging aligned to Afiniti’s value proposition.
- Tailor outreach by industry, use case, and role-specific pain points.
- Provide market feedback, share messaging insights and contribute to campaign optimisation.
Account & Territory Collaboration:
- Partner closely with Account Executives on target accounts and outreach strategies.
- Ensure smooth handoff of qualified opportunities.
- Engagement in Discovery conversations.
- Maintain accurate CRM activity and notes.
GTM & Campaign Execution:
- Support inbound and outbound campaigns aligned to new product launches and GTM initiatives.
- Partner with Marketing on coordinated outreach and follow-up.
- Provide feedback on messaging effectiveness.
Operational Discipline & Growth:
- Maintain strong CRM hygiene and reporting.
- Track activity, outcomes, and conversion metrics.
- Participate in coaching and enablement sessions.
- Continuously improve inbound and outbound execution.
Qualifications – Required
- 4+ years of experience in business development, or similar roles
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Comfort engaging prospects via phone, email, and digital channels
- Strong time management and organizational skills
- Coachable mindset with desire to grow in enterprise sales
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
Qualifications – Preferred
- Experience selling or prospecting into enterprise or mid-market customers
- Familiarity with SaaS, AI, or contact center software
- Experience using CRM and sales engagement tools
- Interest in progressing into an Account Executive role
Compensation
Total OTE up to $143,000 (base + performance-based incentives)
Why This Role Matters?
Business Development is a critical driver of Afiniti’s growth strategy. This role exists to build predictable pipeline, expand Afiniti’s reach into target accounts, support new product and GTM initiatives, and develop future enterprise sales talent. The BDR plays a foundational role in Afiniti’s revenue engine and long-term growth.
We believe that richness in diversity is a huge asset for Afiniti. We value both the similarities and differences in everyone who is a part of the Afiniti team. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, personal appearance, genetic information, family responsibilities, political affiliation, military or veteran status, or any other category protected under applicable federal, state or local law.
Who Are We?
Over the past 16 years, Afiniti's patented technology has paired customers and contact centre agents in real time based on how well they are likely to interact, leading to better experiences across the entire customer journey. As our products evolve, it is our mission to retain and grow revenue by creating repeatable, AI-driven solutions that transition from high-touch managed services to product-led growth.
Afiniti operates throughout the world and has driven billions of dollars of precisely measurable AI value for our telecommunications, banking, insurance, healthcare, and travel customers.
Our Vision
Afiniti's vision is to lead the contact centre industry by delivering innovative AI solutions that uniquely enhance customer lifetime value and operational efficiency, earning us the trust of leading consumer companies worldwide.
Our Ways of Working
At Afiniti, how we work is just as important as what we achieve. Our Ways of Working are ten guiding principles that define the standards and behaviors we hold ourselves accountable to every day. They push us to act with urgency and discipline, to innovate with data and facts, and to always see our work through the eyes of our clients.
These principles are not abstract values — they are actionable commitments that shape daily decisions, strengthen collaboration, and ensure we deliver outcomes that matter. Together, they encourage us to be intentional in how we prioritize and execute, to confront challenges directly, and to embrace the richness of our global community with respect and openness. By living these principles consistently, we build a culture that is ambitious, respectful, and relentlessly focused on meaningful impact.
The Role
Role Title: Business Development Lead
Location: United States (Remote)
About the Role
The Business Development Lead is responsible for generating new business opportunities by qualifying and nurturing leads. This role focuses on engaging prospective enterprise and mid-market customers, creating interest in Afiniti’s solutions, and securing high-quality meetings for the sales organization. Based in US the BDR partners closely with Account Executives, Sales Engineers, Marketing, and Growth leadership to execute strategies aligned to Afiniti’s GTM priorities. This role is ideal for a driven, coachable sales professional who wants to build a foundation in enterprise technology sales and grow into more senior sales roles over time.
What Will Be Your Key Deliverables
Inbound and Outbound Prospecting & Pipeline Generation:
- Proactively identify and engage target accounts through strategic outbound prospecting across phone, email, and social channels.
- Prospecting new potential customers via email, phone, and digital channels, this will include Account based engagement and Executive level outreach.
- Research and identify target accounts, decision-makers, and business challenges.
- Generate qualified meetings and opportunities for Account Executives.
- Meet or exceed activity and pipeline generation targets, pipeline quota ownership.
Messaging & Value-Based Outreach:
- Deliver clear, compelling messaging aligned to Afiniti’s value proposition.
- Tailor outreach by industry, use case, and role-specific pain points.
- Provide market feedback, share messaging insights and contribute to campaign optimisation.
Account & Territory Collaboration:
- Partner closely with Account Executives on target accounts and outreach strategies.
- Ensure smooth handoff of qualified opportunities.
- Engagement in Discovery conversations.
- Maintain accurate CRM activity and notes.
GTM & Campaign Execution:
- Support inbound and outbound campaigns aligned to new product launches and GTM initiatives.
- Partner with Marketing on coordinated outreach and follow-up.
- Provide feedback on messaging effectiveness.
Operational Discipline & Growth:
- Maintain strong CRM hygiene and reporting.
- Track activity, outcomes, and conversion metrics.
- Participate in coaching and enablement sessions.
- Continuously improve inbound and outbound execution.
Qualifications – Required
- 4+ years of experience in business development, or similar roles
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Comfort engaging prospects via phone, email, and digital channels
- Strong time management and organizational skills
- Coachable mindset with desire to grow in enterprise sales
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
Qualifications – Preferred
- Experience selling or prospecting into enterprise or mid-market customers
- Familiarity with SaaS, AI, or contact center software
- Experience using CRM and sales engagement tools
- Interest in progressing into an Account Executive role
Compensation
Total OTE up to $143,000 (base + performance-based incentives)
Why This Role Matters?
Business Development is a critical driver of Afiniti’s growth strategy. This role exists to build predictable pipeline, expand Afiniti’s reach into target accounts, support new product and GTM initiatives, and develop future enterprise sales talent. The BDR plays a foundational role in Afiniti’s revenue engine and long-term growth.
We believe that richness in diversity is a huge asset for Afiniti. We value both the similarities and differences in everyone who is a part of the Afiniti team. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, personal appearance, genetic information, family responsibilities, political affiliation, military or veteran status, or any other category protected under applicable federal, state or local law.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Business Development Lead
Connect your degree field to the BD role explicitly
OPT authorization must relate to your field of study. A business or marketing degree maps cleanly to BD Lead roles. If your degree is in engineering or data science, emphasize the technical aspects of the pipeline or product-led growth work you'll own.
Raise visa sponsorship after receiving an offer, not before
Bringing up sponsorship too early in the process can stall your candidacy before a hiring manager sees your value. Once you have a verbal offer, the sponsorship conversation shifts from a risk assessment to a retention decision in your favor.
Quantify your revenue impact in every application
BD Lead hiring managers prioritize candidates who show closed deals, pipeline value built, or partnerships launched. Concrete numbers make your OPT timeline feel like a secondary detail rather than the headline concern during the evaluation process.
Ask specifically about H-1B sponsorship history, not willingness
Instead of asking if a company sponsors visas, ask how many H-1B petitions they filed in the last two years. Past filings are a reliable signal of institutional readiness and reduce the risk of a company agreeing in theory but failing in practice.
Use your OPT period to establish a track record worth sponsoring
Employers sponsor employees they cannot afford to lose. Within your first six months, focus on winning a visible deal or partnership that demonstrates measurable contribution. A clear performance record is your strongest leverage when sponsorship conversations begin.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Business Development Lead on OPT?
Yes, as long as the role is directly related to your field of study. Business Development Lead positions typically qualify under business, management, marketing, or related degree fields. If your degree is in a technical discipline, confirm that your day-to-day responsibilities connect to that field before accepting an offer, since your OPT authorization is tied to your degree category.
How do I find Business Development Lead roles that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for candidates on F-1 OPT and visa sponsorship pathways, which saves time compared to applying broadly and discovering sponsorship limitations late in the process. Business Development Lead roles on Migrate Mate are posted by employers who have demonstrated willingness to hire international candidates, making your search significantly more targeted.
Does working as a Business Development Lead qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Only if your underlying degree is in a STEM-designated field. The role title itself does not determine STEM OPT eligibility. If you hold a degree in a field on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List and your BD Lead role involves applying technical skills from that field, your DSO may approve the 24-month STEM extension, giving you up to 36 months of total OPT work authorization.
What happens to my OPT status if I change employers during a Business Development Lead role?
You can change employers on OPT, but you must report the change to your DSO within 10 days and update your SEVIS record. There is no formal transfer process, but any gap in employment longer than 90 cumulative days during standard OPT can jeopardize your status. STEM OPT holders must also submit a new Form I-983 training plan with the new employer before the start date.
What visa options should I plan for after my OPT period ends as a Business Development Lead?
H-1B is the most common path, but Business Development Lead roles can also support O-1A petitions if you have a documented record of achievement, such as awards, significant revenue contributions, or media coverage. Some candidates in Canadian or Mexican markets explore TN visas in relevant professional categories. Discuss sponsorship timelines with your employer well before your OPT expiration so petitions can be filed without a gap in authorization.
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