Business Development Associate, PR

About Avenue Z, Inc.

At Avenue Z, we are a dynamic media and technology company with a powerful influence across all channels. Our leadership has been at the forefront of digital marketing and communications for over 30 years, pioneering innovative strategies that drive meaningful change in brand performance and business growth.

When you join Avenue Z, you become part of a team that doesn’t just adapt to change but leads it, guiding some of the world’s most influential leaders and brands to new heights. We are driven by a deep passion for our craft and an unwavering commitment to integrity in everything we do. If you share our passion and values, explore our current job openings to see how you can make an impact with us.

Avenue Z is looking for a proactive, relationship-driven Business Development Associate, PR to help expand our public relations business. This person will be passionate about PR, curious about how organizations build reputation and visibility, and energized by creating new business opportunities.

The Business Development Associate, PR will identify potential clients, develop warm and relevant entry points, and open conversations for the PR leadership team. This is an associate-level, high-initiative role for someone who enjoys connecting people, spotting opportunities, and turning early interest into qualified meetings. The VPs and Directors will own the strategic sales conversation and proposal process; this role will create the momentum that gets those conversations started.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter who can operate with limited direction, communicate confidently with senior stakeholders, and represent Avenue Z thoughtfully in the market.

• Build and maintain a pipeline of prospective PR clients across target industries, markets, and business stages.
• Research companies, executives, brands, and market developments to identify timely PR opportunities.
• Develop thoughtful outreach strategies that connect a prospect’s business priorities to Avenue Z’s PR capabilities.
• Open doors through email, LinkedIn, networking, referrals, events, professional associations, and existing relationships.
• Initiate and nurture early-stage conversations with prospective clients and referral partners.
• Qualify opportunities based on business need, timing, decision-making structure, budget potential, and fit with Avenue Z’s services.
• Schedule qualified discovery conversations for the PR VPs and provide concise context before each meeting.
• Partner with PR leadership to refine target-account lists, outreach messaging, and business development priorities.
• Monitor industry news, company announcements, funding activity, leadership changes, launches, and other signals that may create a need for PR support.
• Maintain accurate notes and next steps in the company’s CRM or business development system.
• Follow up consistently and professionally so promising relationships continue to move forward.
• Capture market feedback and share insights that can improve positioning, prospecting, and service development.
• Represent Avenue Z at relevant conferences, networking events, and industry gatherings.

• A consistent flow of relevant, qualified PR conversations for the VPs.
• Strong relationships with prospective clients, referral sources, and industry partners.
• Outreach that feels personalized, strategic, and aligned to the prospect’s business priorities.
• Clear, timely handoffs that allow the PR VPs to enter conversations well prepared.
• A well-organized and current pipeline with visible next steps.
• Increasing contribution to new-business opportunities and revenue generation over time.

• Passion for public relations, communications, media, reputation, and the role storytelling plays in business growth.
• Experience or demonstrated aptitude in lead generation, relationship-building, creating introductions, or developing new business opportunities.
• A self-starter mindset with strong ownership, follow-through, and personal accountability.
• Confidence initiating conversations with business leaders, marketing executives, founders, and other senior stakeholders.
• Strong research, writing, listening, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to understand a prospect’s business challenge and connect it to a relevant PR opportunity.
• Strong organization and attention to detail, particularly in managing follow-up and pipeline activity.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment where priorities can evolve.
• Professional judgment and discretion when representing the Avenue Z brand.
• Experience in PR, communications, marketing, media, business development, agency services, or a related field is preferred

Benefits:

• Competitive salary range: $65,000 to $70,000 base salary plus commissions
• Comprehensive medical and dental plans.
• 401(k) plan with employer match.
• Generous paid time off (Vacation, Personal, and Sick Time).
• Professional development budget to support ongoing learning.
• Access to and entry to high-profile industry events for networking and professional growth.