Upwork Outreach Executive

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.

Requirements (For an Ideal Candidate)

• Upwork Experience: Minimum 1 year of hands-on experience working on Upwork platform— bidding for an agency, or business development. Deep familiarity with how Upwork works, best practices, algorithm, and client behavior. Proven track record of winning projects on the platform. Understanding of Job Success Score, proposal ranking, and platform dynamics.
• Exceptional Copywriting: Outstanding writing ability with persuasive, clear, and professional style. Can write compelling proposals that sell without being pushy. Adapts tone and messaging for different audiences and project types. Strong command of grammar, structure, and business writing. Can translate technical capabilities into client benefits. Makes complex topics accessible.
• Technical Understanding: Solid grasp of web development concepts (frontend/backend, APIs, databases, frameworks like React, Node.js). Understanding of mobile app development (iOS, Android, React Native, app architecture). Working knowledge of generative AI and LLM applications (ChatGPT API, embeddings, RAG, AI automation). Can read technical requirements and understand what clients actually need. Not required to code, but must speak the language credibly.
• High Energy & Drive: Self-motivated with strong work ethic and persistence. Comfortable with rejection and high volume activity. Maintains enthusiasm despite low response rates. Proactive in finding opportunities and taking initiative. Brings positive energy and competitive mindset. Doesn't wait to be told what to do.
• Research Skills: Excellent at gathering intelligence on prospects quickly. Knows where to look for relevant information about companies and projects. Can read between the lines of job postings to understand real needs. Synthesizes research into insights that inform proposal strategy. Efficient researcher who doesn't over-invest time.
• Sales Mindset: Understands sales fundamentals—qualifying leads, positioning value, handling objections, creating urgency. Thinks about client psychology and decision-making. Comfortable with metrics, targets, and accountability. Competitive drive to win. Resilient in face of rejection.
• Detail Orientation: Catches errors before proposals are sent. Reviews proposals carefully for accuracy, typos, and completeness. Ensures technical details mentioned align with our capabilities. Doesn't make careless mistakes that undermine credibility. Maintains accurate CRM records.
• Communication Skills: Professional, responsive, and articulate in client communication. Builds rapport quickly. Asks good clarifying questions. Knows when to involve technical team or CEO. Represents company professionally in all interactions.
• Time Management: Manages time effectively across research, writing, and follow-up. Meets daily proposal targets without sacrificing quality. Prioritizes high-value opportunities appropriately. Works efficiently without constant supervision.
• Continuous Improvement: Analytical about what's working and what's not. Learns from wins and losses. Actively seeks feedback and implements improvements. Stays current with Upwork changes and platform evolution. Open to coaching and direction.
• Cultural Fit: Thrives in fast-paced, results-oriented environment. Comfortable with autonomy and accountability. Team player who collaborates well. Excited about AI transformation and technology. Aligns with company values and mission.

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.
• Client Research & Discovery: Research each potential client before writing proposals. Review their company website, previous Upwork projects, hiring history, and reviews they've left. Understand their business, industry, pain points, and what they're actually trying to accomplish. Identify decision-makers and key stakeholders. Gather context that will make your proposal more relevant and personalized.
• Proposal Writing: Write compelling, personalized proposals that demonstrate understanding of the client's needs and clearly articulate how we can solve their problem. Customize each proposal based on client research—avoid generic templates. Lead with value and results, not just features. Address specific requirements mentioned in the job posting. Include relevant case studies and examples. Write clear, persuasive copy that differentiates us from competitors. Maintain 2+ proposals per day minimum.
• 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.

Results (What Success Looks Like)

• Consistent proposal volume — Submit 3+ high-quality proposals per day, 15+ per week. Maintain steady pipeline of opportunities without gaps.
• Strong response rate — Achieve 20%+ response rate from clients. Proposals generate interest and interview requests consistently.
• Revenue target achievement — Close $10,000+ in new business per month through Upwork. Win sufficient projects to meet or exceed monthly targets.
• High-quality wins — Projects won are good fits—realistic budgets, clear scopes, serious clients. Low rate of projects that turn problematic.
• Efficient time management — Balance quantity and quality. Spend appropriate time researching and customizing without over-investing in low-probability opportunities.
• Improving win rate over time — Month-over-month improvement in conversion metrics as you learn what works. Response rate and win rate trend upward.
• Strong client relationships — Initial interactions set positive tone. Clients feel understood and confident in our capabilities. Smooth transition to project work.
• Technical credibility — Clients recognize you understand their technical requirements. Proposals demonstrate genuine expertise, not generic sales talk.
• Pipeline visibility — CRM is current and accurate. Team has clear view of opportunities in progress, expected close dates, and pipeline health.
• Competitive positioning — Our proposals stand out. We're winning against competitors consistently. Clients choose us for clear, compelling reasons.

Job Types: Full-time, Fresher

Pay: From Rs80,000.00 per month

Work Location: In person