B
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ButterSales

Sales Ops

Valued Contributor
Personal Narrative
Contributor
+1

AE or Leadership?

I'm in Sales Leadership at an early-stage SaaS company. I oversee about 20 SDRs in the APAC and EMEA regions (I'm in the US). We're growing like crazy and have a serious foothold in our space. Since I run commissions, I see what some AEs make...I'm kind of at a spot in life (getting married, starting a family) where I value $ more than responsibility. I'm worried leaving a Leadership role at a company that could have such a big impact might be a mistake. Do you think moving to AE would be a bad idea?

Should I switch from Leadership to AE?

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☁️ Software Tech
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15 comments

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jefe
Arsonist
6
🍁
What do you actually prefer? What are you longer term goals?
Being an IC can be extremely stressful, as can management, but as an AE it's all 100% on you. You can control it more but there's something to be said about making money off of others' work.

Will your hours increase?

There are so many variables to consider.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
All very good points.
oldcloser
Arsonist
3
💀
I'd consider your potential career trajectory in ops at your current org. Ops can be a lucrative place at the top. If you're at a ceiling, stepping out into an AE role can make sense immediately and down the road. Your management experience, when combined with sales success, makes you a strong candidate for an AE leadership role.
braintank
Politicker
2
Enterprise Account Executive
Can you be an AE at current company?
ButterSales
Valued Contributor
0
Sales Ops
Yes!
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
2
Sales Rep
If Money is what matters, AE is going to be a good spot since you can control your calendar better
CuriousFox
WR Officer
2
🦊
Be an IC only responsible for you.
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
2
☕️
Are you a Director+ or a manager? Leadership and management are not the same, so let’s be specific here.

Managers stepping back into AE work? Go for it. Leaders going back to AE work? Nah, red flag.
ButterSales
Valued Contributor
0
Sales Ops
Technically Team Lead but in my sales ops role I work pretty closely with our CEO and head of marketing when it comes to sales enablement and HubSpot/process/reporting/strategy. And was also invited to our first “leadership seminar” put on by hr…whatever that counts for
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
1
☕️
Not to be a jerk, but that doesn’t sound like leadership ranking. I’d either try to make my shit official with a leadership title or head back to the bag carrying world.
jefe
Arsonist
2
🍁
Agreed. This changes things a fair bit.
Pachacuti
Politicker
0
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Do you see yourself at that company 5 years from now? And are you happy staying in an IC role for a prolonged period of your career?

There’s your answer.
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
0
Rolling 20's all day
How much of a pay difference are we talking about?
If you move up into leadership from your lead role now, is the opportunity there and would it pay better than being an IC? This is assuming you’re able to make a move at this company.
GDO
Politicker
0
BDM
I would pick the money any day over extra responsibilities
Armageddon
Opinionated
0
Enterprise Account Executive
I think its important to be a successful seller in order to make a successful leader. So no, I think it makes perfect sense to go back into an IC role, close large deals, make money and the path to leadership will always be there in the future

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