Upwork & Linked Bidding Specialist

Softerra is seeking a dedicated Upwork and LinkedIn Bidding Specialist to manage the entire sales cycle for our web development, Shopify, eCommerce, and AI automation services. This full-time, on-site position is based in Islamabad and requires working night shifts. The ideal candidate will be responsible for generating leads, conducting outreach, managing discovery calls, preparing proposals, negotiating contracts, and closing deals primarily through LinkedIn and Upwork platforms.

Key Responsibilities

Lead Generation:
- Research and identify potential clients on LinkedIn.
- Build targeted prospect lists aligned with our ideal customer profile.
- Utilize LinkedIn Sales Navigator to connect with decision-makers.
- Send personalized connection requests, follow-up messages, and outreach communications.
- Identify relevant Upwork job postings and screen clients before submitting bids.
- Craft tailored Upwork proposals designed to generate responses.

Closing:
- Qualify leads based on budget, project scope, timeline, and decision-making authority.
- Conduct discovery calls to fully understand client needs.
- Collaborate with the technical team to scope projects and prepare accurate estimates.
- Present proposals and pricing confidently to potential clients.
- Handle objections and negotiate terms effectively without underselling.
- Close deals and set up contracts and milestones on Upwork or directly.
- Provide clear handover notes to the delivery team for all closed clients.

Pipeline Management and Reporting:
- Maintain up-to-date records of leads, proposals, and deals using Google Sheets or a CRM.
- Track key metrics such as acceptance rates, response times, call bookings, close rates, and revenue.
- Continuously test and improve outreach messages, proposals, and sales scripts.
- Keep the Upwork profile and portfolio current and strong.
- Manage Upwork Connects efficiently to minimize spend on low-conversion jobs.
- Report weekly to management on pipeline status and results.

Required Qualifications
- 2 to 3 years of B2B sales experience with a proven track record of closing deals.
- Hands-on experience generating leads on LinkedIn and securing contracts on Upwork.
- Proficient in using LinkedIn Sales Navigator and the Upwork platform.
- Confident conducting sales calls with international clients.
- Excellent written and spoken English communication skills.
- Strong negotiation and objection-handling abilities.
- Ability to understand and sell technical services effectively.
- Experience working with Google Sheets, Excel, or CRM systems.
- Target-driven and capable of working independently.
- Must be based in Rawalpindi or Islamabad.

Preferred Qualifications and Additional Information
- Previous sales experience at a software agency, Shopify agency, web development company, or IT service provider is advantageous.
- Familiarity with sales and prospecting tools such as Apollo, Clay, Instantly, Lemlist, or HubSpot is a plus.
- Experience with cold email campaigns and multichannel prospecting strategies.
- Background in selling to clients in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, or Europe is preferred.

Success in this role is measured by the ability to consistently bring in qualified leads, convert them into discovery calls, and ultimately close signed projects. Performance evaluation focuses on revenue generated rather than activity volume.

Candidates must be willing to work night shifts and be available to work on-site in Rawalpindi or Islamabad.