Sales & Business Development Intern

Ready to master the art of strategic selling while building a business that matters? Katalyst Culture Creative is seeking a driven and relationship-focused Sales & Business Development Intern who wants to do more than make cold calls, you'll learn how to identify ideal clients, craft compelling pitches, and win new business for an award-winning creative agency. Working alongside our founder and business development team, you'll gain hands-on experience in outbound prospecting, consultative selling, and client relationship management while helping businesses, organizations, and mission-driven leaders discover how Katalyst can transform their brands. This isn't about pushy sales tactics or hitting arbitrary quotas—it's about building authentic partnerships, understanding client needs, and communicating value in ways that resonate. If you're ready to develop professional sales skills, business acumen, and the confidence to win deals while making a tangible difference, we want to meet you.

• Learning Opportunities

  Through this internship, you will develop professional skills and industry knowledge including:

  • Consultative Sales Methodology – Learn how to sell through understanding client needs, asking strategic questions, and positioning solutions rather than pushing products

  • Outbound Prospecting Strategies – Master lead generation, cold outreach (email and LinkedIn), and qualification techniques that identify high-fit prospects

  • Pitch Development & Presentation – Gain experience crafting compelling sales presentations, service proposals, and value propositions tailored to different industries

  • CRM & Sales Pipeline Management – Understand how to track leads, manage opportunities, and forecast revenue using professional sales tools and systems

  • Business Development Strategy – Learn how agencies identify target markets, develop positioning strategies, and create competitive differentiation

  • Client Relationship Building – Develop skills in active listening, objection handling, negotiation, and relationship nurturing that lead to long-term partnerships

  • Creative Services Industry Knowledge – Understand how branding, digital marketing, video production, and experiential design services are packaged, priced, and sold

  • Professional Communication – Master email outreach, phone conversations, virtual presentations, and follow-up strategies that move prospects through the sales funnel

  • Market Research & Competitive Analysis – Learn how to research prospects, understand their challenges, and position Katalyst's services as strategic solutions

  • Professional Mentorship – Receive regular feedback, sales coaching, and career guidance from experienced business development professionals with proven track records

• Responsibilites

  As a valued member of our business development team, you will:

  • Conduct outbound prospecting to identify and qualify potential clients across target industries (higher education, faith-based organizations, minority-owned businesses, creative entrepreneurs)

  • Research prospects using LinkedIn, company websites, and industry databases to understand their business challenges and opportunities

  • Develop and execute email outreach campaigns and LinkedIn connection strategies to generate qualified leads

  • Schedule and conduct discovery calls with prospects to understand their needs and assess fit for Katalyst's services

  • Assist in creating customized sales presentations and service proposals for specific prospects

  • Support the development of sales collateral including service one-pagers, case studies, and pitch decks

  • Maintain accurate records in CRM system, tracking all prospect interactions, opportunities, and pipeline status

  • Participate in client pitch meetings and presentations alongside senior team members

  • Follow up with prospects through the sales cycle, nurturing relationships and addressing questions or concerns

  • Collaborate with creative and strategy teams to understand service offerings, pricing, and deliverables

  • Contribute to business development strategy discussions, sharing insights from prospect conversations

  • Research industry trends, competitor offerings, and market opportunities to inform positioning strategies

  • Assist with preparing proposals, contracts, and onboarding materials for new clients

  • Track sales metrics and report on prospecting activities, conversion rates, and pipeline health

• Qualifications

  • Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in Business, Marketing, Communications, Entrepreneurship, or related field

  • Completed at least 2 years of undergraduate coursework (or currently pursuing MBA/graduate degree)

  • Strong interest in sales, marketing, business development, or entrepreneurship

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to articulate value propositions clearly

  • Comfortable with outreach activities including cold emailing, LinkedIn messaging, and phone conversations

  • Self-motivated and goal-oriented with ability to work independently and manage time effectively

  • Strong research skills and attention to detail

  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Excel, Word) and Google Workspace

  • Familiarity with LinkedIn and social media platforms for professional networking

  • Basic understanding of marketing, branding, or creative services (preferred but not required)

  • Experience with CRM systems like HubSpot, Salesforce, or similar tools (preferred but not required)

  • Genuine interest in supporting underrepresented businesses and diverse communities

  • Resilience and positive attitude, comfortable with rejection and learning from "no's"

  • Ability to receive and implement constructive feedback with a growth mindset

  • Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple prospects simultaneously

• Academic Requirements

  • Minimum GPA of 3.0

  • Relevant coursework in sales, marketing, business development, entrepreneurship, or communications

  • Ability to receive academic credit for the internship (preferred but not required)

  • Letter of recommendation from a faculty member or previous employer (preferred)

• Portfolio Requirements

  • Resume highlighting relevant coursework, skills, and any sales, customer service, or business development experience

  • Cover Letter (300-500 words) explaining:

    • Your interest in sales and business development

    • Why you want to work with Katalyst Culture Creative specifically

    • Any relevant experience with outreach, persuasion, or relationship building

    • Your career goals and how this internship aligns with them

  • Writing Sample (optional but encouraged): An example of professional communication such as a cold outreach email, LinkedIn message, or persuasive business proposal you've written

• Schedule & Compensation

  Commitment: 15-20 hours per week during the academic semester, with potential for full-time hours (30-40 hours) during summer break

  Compensation: $15-18 per hour, depending on experience and academic progress

  Flexibility: Scheduling accommodates class schedules and academic commitments. Hybrid/remote work possible with regular virtual check-ins.

  Duration: Semester-based (3-4 months) with opportunity for extension based on performance and mutual interest

  Performance Incentives: High-performing interns may be eligible for commission or bonuses on closed deals (to be discussed)

  Academic credit support available if required by your institution.

• How to Apply

  Submit your application and the following materials using the “Apply Now” link below:

  • Resume highlighting relevant coursework, skills, and any sales or business experience

  • A brief questionnaire (300-500 words)

  • Academic transcript (unofficial acceptable for initial application)

  • Writing sample (optional): Example of professional outreach or persuasive communication

  Application Deadline: Revolving

  Start Date: Flexible based on academic calendar

Why Katalyst Culture Creative?

At Katalyst, interns aren't just observers—you're contributors. This sales internship offers more than just prospecting experience; you'll learn the strategic thinking behind business development, understand how creative agencies operate, and develop transferable skills that apply to any industry. You'll work directly with our founder, participate in real client conversations, and see the complete sales cycle from initial outreach to signed contracts. We're committed to dismantling the barriers that keep talented professionals from underrepresented communities out of business development roles. That means providing real sales experience, professional mentorship, and the business acumen that most academic programs don't teach. Our interns leave with more than completed tasks, they leave with confidence, a professional network, and career-ready skills that open doors.

Ready to launch your sales career while making an impact?