Upwork Sales / Business Development Representative (SDR/BDR) – B2B AI & Software

Vizio AI is an AI-First Digital Transformation Studio helping clients worldwide modernize operations through analytics, business intelligence, automation, AI-powered solutions, and custom software development.

Our venture arm, Vizio Ventures, partners with founders to build and launch SaaS products from idea to scale.

We work with mid-market organizations and high-growth startups to replace spreadsheet chaos with centralized, insight-driven, automated systems.

We're looking for a Business Development Representative (SDR/BDR) with hands-on Upwork sales experience - someone who has actively used Upwork not just as a freelance marketplace, but as a structured outbound lead generation and sales channel. You know how to spot the right RFPs, write proposals that convert, and move a prospect from first message to booked call to signed scope.

What You'll Do

• Monitor and identify relevant Upwork job postings/RFPs that match Vizio's service lines (AI, automation, software development, digital transformation)
• Write personalized, high-conversion proposals and initiate first contact through the platform
• Run multi-channel outbound prospecting across LinkedIn, email, and Upwork messaging
• Reach out to C-level executives, Directors, and Heads of Department at target companies
• Personalize outreach based on the prospect's company, pain points, and potential technology needs
• Book qualified meetings with potential B2B clients
• Conduct initial qualification - needs, urgency, authority, and fit
• Generate Sales Qualified Leads (SQLs) matching our ICP and qualification criteria
• Track Upwork-sourced opportunities and the full proposal-to-close cycle in the CRM
• Collaborate closely with the Business Analyst/Sales team to move high-potential opportunities into the pipeline
• Continuously test and refine messaging, targeting, and outbound strategy

What We're Looking For

• Proven Upwork experience - actively sourcing leads and/or closing deals through the platform (proposal writing, client screening, scope/pricing conversations). This is a core requirement, not a nice-to-have.
• Previous experience in SDR, BDR, business development, outbound sales, or B2B appointment setting
• Excellent written and spoken English - you'll be writing proposals and speaking directly with international clients daily, so this isn't optional; strong command of business English is essential to the role
• Confidence communicating with international C-level and senior decision-makers
• Experience with cold outreach via LinkedIn and email
• Solid understanding of B2B sales qualification
• Experience with CRM and prospecting tools such as HubSpot, Apollo, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, or similar
• Strong follow-up discipline and an ownership mentality
• Comfortable working toward measurable meeting and SQL targets
• Ability to connect business problems with potential AI/software solutions
• Availability to have working-hour overlap with US time zones, since most of our target clients are based in North America

Experience selling AI, software development, SaaS, digital transformation, or professional services is highly preferred.

How Success Is Measured

Success is measured through qualified meetings generated, SQL quality, pipeline contribution, and revenue generated from the opportunities you create.

Why Vizio AI

• Work across multiple ventures instead of one static brand
• Build modern AI-native growth systems
• High autonomy
• Direct impact on growth and positioning
• Fast execution culture
• Close collaboration with product, tech, and founders