Manager, Sales Development (Chicago - Hybrid) at Kong

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Kong Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
SaaS, TechnologyIndustries

Requirements

  • 5+ years of experience in B2B SaaS
  • 2+ years of experience building and managing a high-performing Sales or Sales Development Org in B2B SaaS
  • Exceptional communication skills with an ability to give and receive feedback thoughtfully
  • Experience in high-growth, fast-paced startup environments, preferably with hybrid remote and in-office teams
  • Experience building and leading high-performance sales teams, selling a complex technical product
  • Subject matter expert in building pipeline programs and efforts to drive revenue

Responsibilities

  • Lead and develop a high-performing team of SDRs
  • Hire the best talent in the industry. Shape development programs for career progression to keep talent engagement and doing great work at Kong
  • Maintain operational rigor across all elements of the business. Drive a predictable business
  • Drive a positive and collaborative culture that inspires teamwork and professional growth
  • Find a successful balance in a hybrid in-office environment
  • Create a reporting and feedback loop with stakeholders on team performance, KPIs, customer insights, roadblocks, and pipeline forecasts
  • Work within an ecosystem of leaders across Sales, Revenue Operations, Marketing, Customer Success, and Partnership teams to design and execute a go-to-market plan for pipeline generation
  • Excel in change management as the company strives to meet critical and aggressive revenue milestones
  • Maintain a strong pulse on the market. Facilitate a feedback loop between Sales and other departments
  • Identify opportunities to innovate. Be a catalyst to positive change

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

B2B SaaSSales DevelopmentTeam LeadershipHiringPerformance ManagementKPIsPipeline GenerationGo-to-Market StrategyChange ManagementStakeholder CollaborationCommunication SkillsHybrid Work

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the compensation for this role?

The typical base pay range for this role in the US is $170-230k OTE. Compensation varies depending on factors like location, skill set, and experience, and certain roles are eligible for sales incentives.

Is this role remote or hybrid, and what's the location?

This is a hybrid role based in Chicago, requiring a successful balance in a hybrid in-office environment and fostering an in-office culture.

What experience and skills are required for this position?

Candidates need 5+ years in B2B SaaS, 2+ years building and managing high-performing Sales or Sales Development teams in B2B SaaS, exceptional communication skills, experience in high-growth startups with hybrid teams, and expertise in building pipeline programs.

What is the company culture like for this role?

The role emphasizes driving a positive and collaborative culture that inspires teamwork and professional growth, fostering an in-office culture, and working cross-functionally with Sales, Revenue Operations, Marketing, Customer Success, and Partnership teams.

What makes a strong candidate for this Manager, Sales Development role?

A strong candidate is a dynamic, hands-on leader passionate about career development, scalable success, hiring top talent, maintaining operational rigor, excelling in change management, and innovating in a high-growth B2B SaaS environment.

Kong

API management and connectivity solutions provider

About Kong

Kong focuses on API management and connectivity, providing tools that help businesses manage, secure, and optimize their APIs for software communication. Its main product, Kong Gateway, is a fast API gateway that can handle up to 50,000 transactions per second, while Kong Konnect offers a SaaS platform for API management and Kong Mesh manages microservices. Kong stands out by combining open-source technology with enterprise solutions, allowing free access to core features and offering premium services for businesses. The company's goal is to enhance developer productivity, security, and performance for a diverse range of clients in a rapidly growing market.

San Francisco, CaliforniaHeadquarters
2017Year Founded
$334.7MTotal Funding
SERIES_ECompany Stage
Data & Analytics, Enterprise SoftwareIndustries
501-1,000Employees

Benefits

Weekly Donut Chats
Home Office Stipend
Flexible Time Off & Dedicated Unplug Days
Virtual Events

Risks

AI-enhanced security threats pose significant risks to API security.
Low adoption of zero-trust architecture leaves APIs vulnerable to breaches.
Intensifying competition in AI API platforms may draw customers away from Kong.

Differentiation

Kong's API Gateway supports 50,000 transactions per second, ensuring high performance.
Kong offers a unique combination of open-source and enterprise-grade API solutions.
Kong Insomnia is the fastest-growing platform for building, testing, and debugging APIs.

Upsides

Kong raised $175M to enhance AI connectivity and expand its solutions.
Kong Insomnia surpassed 1 million users, indicating strong demand for its tools.
Kong's Premium Technology Partner Program fosters innovation and collaboration.

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