Job Details

Cogent Labs is looking for an Upwork Outreach Executive for its Lahore office.

Job Type: On-site

Role

The Upwork Outreach Executive is responsible for acquiring new clients through the Upwork platform by identifying relevant opportunities, researching prospect needs, and writing compelling proposals that win projects. This role focuses on generating a consistent pipeline of qualified leads and converting them into signed contracts for web development, mobile development, and generative AI projects. You will spend the majority of your time researching job postings, understanding client requirements, and crafting personalized proposals that demonstrate our expertise and value proposition. Success in this role requires high energy, excellent copywriting skills, technical understanding of client needs, and the persistence to maintain a strong proposal volume while achieving target win rates.

Responsibilities

• Job Research & Opportunity Identification: Search Upwork daily for relevant project opportunities in web development, mobile app development, and generative AI implementation. Evaluate job postings for quality, budget alignment, client seriousness, and fit with our capabilities. Identify high-potential opportunities that match our service offerings and expertise. Filter out low-quality leads and focus on prospects with realistic budgets and clear project requirements.
• Technical Requirement Analysis: Understand technical requirements across web development (React, Node.js, full-stack), mobile development (iOS, Android, React Native), and generative AI projects (ChatGPT integration, RAG systems, AI automation). Translate technical jargon in job postings into clear understanding of what the client needs. Identify when a project requires specific technical expertise and highlight our relevant capabilities. Ask clarifying questions when job postings are vague or incomplete.
• Proposal Portfolio Management: Maintain a library of proven proposal templates, case studies, and messaging frameworks organized by project type. Track which proposals win and analyze what made them successful. Continuously improve proposal quality based on performance data. Adapt winning elements across different opportunities. Create reusable components while maintaining personalization.
• Initial Client Communication: Respond promptly to client questions and interview requests on Upwork. Handle initial discovery conversations to qualify the opportunity further. Clarify project scope, timeline, and budget expectations. Build rapport and demonstrate expertise in early interactions. Schedule deeper technical discussions when appropriate. Maintain professional, responsive communication that builds trust.
• Pipeline Management & CRM: Track all proposals submitted, response rates, interviews scheduled, and outcomes in CRM. Maintain accurate records of client interactions and project details. Follow up on pending proposals at appropriate intervals. Keep pipeline data current for reporting and analysis. Flag high-priority opportunities for escalation to CEO.
• Win Rate Optimization: Analyze proposal performance to understand what's working and what's not. Review lost opportunities to identify improvement areas. A/B test different messaging approaches and proposal structures. Stay current with Upwork algorithm changes and platform best practices. Continuously refine approach to improve response rates and win rates. Target 20%+ response rate from clients.
• Profile & JSS Optimization: Maintain strong Upwork profile optimization for agency visibility. Contribute to improving our Job Success Score through excellent project delivery. Request testimonials and reviews from satisfied clients. Keep agency portfolio current with recent work examples. Monitor profile performance and competitive positioning on the platform.
• Budget & Project Scoping: Understand project scope well enough to provide accurate estimates and proposals. Align proposed budgets with our service rates and profitability targets. Identify when projects need CEO or technical team input for scoping. Flag projects that seem underbudgeted or have unclear scope. Contribute to closing $10,000+ in new business per month.
• Competitive Intelligence: Monitor competitor activity on Upwork—their positioning, pricing, and messaging. Identify what makes successful proposals stand out. Track market rates and client expectations for different project types. Share insights on trends, opportunities, and threats in the Upwork marketplace.
• Collaboration with Delivery Team: Coordinate smooth handoffs when proposals win—share client context and requirements with delivery team. Participate in project scoping discussions when technical questions arise. Support ongoing client communication during project kickoff. Ensure promises made in proposals align with what we can deliver.