GreenSide

Sales manager

Valued Contributor

How to position for internal promotion (Ent AE > MM mgr)?

Just started at my current company 4 months ago as an Enterprise AE. My manager oversees all new business sales (7 enterprise reps, 2 MM).

During my time, my manager told me 3 times, unprompted, that he sees me moving into management. After the third time (realistically after I had been here for a full quarter), I asked him for a more in-depth meeting to discuss how I've been doing, where I can improve, and my personal and professional goals, which included that I'd like to move into management.

He told me earlier today some changes are coming to the sales organization later this year: 2 BDRs moving up to become MM AEs, and they're going to split the team into enterprise and MM, so they'll be hiring a new MM sales manager.

What steps do you recommend so I can position myself as the best candidate for the new MM manager role?

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Tres

Politicker

2

Account Executive

I'd talk to as many current managers in your sales org as possible, to try and understand what challenges they face and what the role is like. Start already putting together your list of what you would/wouldn't do in the role so that you'll be prepared for any questions next time the discussion comes up.

GreenSide

Politicker

1

Sales manager

Makes sense. I started doing that at my last org before I left.

Slim pickings here! My manager is the only new business manager in the org in North America. There's one for AMs and a couple in ROW.

I have to assume if I reach out to the AM manager, it'll get back to mine, which isn't a bad thing. My goals have already been laid out for him.

TheMatador19

Member

2

Head of Sales

Make sure your boss know you want it. Don't dance around and make it seem like you're interested. Ask for a meeting with him and tell him you'd like to be considered for the role and would like to interview for it with the other external applicants.

FromaBlankPerspective

Politicker

1

District Manager

100000% I almost missed out on a promotion because I didn’t articulate that that was my goal. Tell them and ask how to get there.

GreenSide

Politicker

0

Sales manager

Absolutely. Gotta treat it like a sale and ensure it’s crystal clear

PhlipOut

Politicker

1

Account Executive

yes, and on top ask what directly what you need to show. Treat the whole process/year as an interview: it may be communication skills, leading an initiative for the team, coaching/mentoring more junior reps etc..

CuriousFox

WR Officer

1

🦊

How's it going?

GreenSide

Politicker

1

Sales manager

I left and got a manager role elsewhere. The company got acquired and it went downhill fast. Only one sales rep still there from when I joined. Shitty new sales leadership, increased price 3X so we couldn’t sell shit, just stupid decisions all around. Really happy in my new role though. Feel like I’m making a difference.

cw95

Politicker

0

Head of SDR

Ask around, see what they say and then rethink it?

GDO

Politicker

0

BDM

Talk to the other managers. Tell your manager and VP you feel you’re ready. Ask them if they also think so and what you can do to prepare even more.

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