Business Development Intern (m/f/d) - Mandatory Internship

The Happy Customers is a Berlin-based startup helping German and European businesses improve their customer experience through AI-enhanced multilingual customer support teams.

We provide professional customer support via email, chat and phone in more than 45+ European languages, working with e-commerce brands, Travel, Fintech, online retailers and service companies across Europe.

We are a small team, which means you will work directly with the founder and see how a young company builds its client base from the ground up.

Tasks

As a Business Development Intern, you will support our client acquisition across European markets.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Researching and identifying potential clients in e-commerce, Travel, Fintech and related sectors

• Building and maintaining prospect lists using LinkedIn Sales Navigator and similar tools

• Drafting and personalising outreach messages for email and LinkedIn campaigns

• Qualifying leads against our ideal customer profile

• Supporting the preparation of proposals, pitch decks and client presentations

• Maintaining CRM records and tracking outreach performance

• Researching European markets, competitors and pricing

• Supporting content activities, drafting posts and newsletters, building a content calendar, and scheduling publication on our company channels

• Supporting our talent pool, maintaining candidate records, organising language and skill data, and helping coordinate screening calls

• Joining client calls, taking notes, and gradually taking on more responsibility

Throughout the internship you will have weekly one-to-ones with the founder and follow a structured learning plan covering sales, marketing, recruitment and operations.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's programme (Business, Marketing, International Management, Communications or similar)

• This internship must be a mandatory part of your study programme, you will need to provide written confirmation from your university, including the required duration

• Available for 3–6 months (we strongly prefer 6 months)

• Based in Germany for the duration of the internship

• Strong written and spoken English; German is a significant advantage

• Interest in sales, business development or startups

• Comfortable with research and structured, self-directed work

• Familiarity with LinkedIn, Excel or Google Sheets

• Reliable internet connection and a suitable home working setup

No prior sales experience required. We care more about curiosity and initiative than about your CV.

Benefits

• Direct mentorship from the founder, with weekly one-to-ones

• Hands-on experience across the full client acquisition cycle, from research to proposal

• Exposure to professional sales tools including LinkedIn Sales Navigator, CRM and outreach platforms

• A structured learning plan covering sales, marketing, recruitment and operations

• Flexible working hours around your study commitments

• Fully remote within Germany

• A detailed reference letter (Praktikumszeugnis) on completion

• Strong possibility of continuing as a working student or in a paid role, subject to performance

Please note: This is an unpaid position, offered exclusively as a mandatory internship (Pflichtpraktikum) forming a required part of your degree. We can only consider candidates whose university confirms the internship is compulsory.

As part of our process, shortlisted candidates complete a short practical assignment (2–3 hours) before the interview.

The Happy Customers is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, gender identity, age, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability, sexual orientation, marital or family status.