alwayzbizzie

Senior Manager, Mid-Market Sales

Is a BDR/SDR manager role a step back if I've been managing closing reps?

A former manager of mine reached about about a position with a very reputable company regarding an opening for a BDR/SDR manager. I've never managed a BDR/SDR team, but I've hired them onto my teams in the past. I've been in leadership for several years managing Account Executives and Account Managers in Commercial, Mid-Market, and Mid-Enterprise. Would a BDR/SDR management role be taking a step back?

☁️ Software Tech

🧢 Sales Management

🤘 Personal Growth

18 comments

Sort by:

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

Yes.

From my experience most people who move into this role get "stuck". If you really want to be an SDR manager don't let it discourage you, but if you're so-so about it I'd stick where you're at.

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

💯 agree

CPTAmerica

Opinionated

President/CRO

Yes.

Although maybe it's a better company, manager, team, pay etc. Just because it's a small step back doesn't always mean it's a bad move. The details will matter.

QWhiz

Big Shot

Founding AE / ex-SDR

Small step? I don't know. From what I've seen in the industry, Sales Leaders get a lot more responsibilities, way more respect and much more moolah than SDR Leaders.

CPTAmerica

Opinionated

President/CRO

In general I agree. However the details will matter to determine how large of a step back it actually is.

Filth

Politicker

Live Filthy or Die Clean

I'd like that role as you are only responsible for a team that is getting meetings...not closing deals. And we all know just getting someone to the date is a lot easier than turning it into a lucky night.

As long as the money is there and quota is based on meetings (not closed deals) I think its a solid place to be.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Is there more comp? I've seen BDR managers get stuck, but that's usually when they don't already have experience closing or managing closers. If it's a better package, you might consider it. Who better to help guide this team than someone who knows what it will take for them to get to the next stage in their careers after excelling at this one?

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

You might also find the role personally gratifying depending on its previous occupant. If you bring closing experience to the role, you're going to have answers where the previous mgr did not. You'll likely be very valuable and you'll feel it.

pirate

Big Shot

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Yeah I would say not all teams have BDRs either so employment options are fewer. Maybe in the right company could move quickly but I'd say it's very risky.

Beans

Big Shot

Enterprise Account Executive

Hell yes.

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

Personally, I would take this up but go with your gut feeling as you are your best judge.

What’s better about this new roles vs your existing ?

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Maybe. It depends on the overall opportunity IMO.

You may have been in leadership previously but that doesn't mean much if you're arent now and that is where you want to go again.

Of course, your old manager is just looking to fill a role with someone he knows, so don't weigh that too heavily.

Is the comp better? Better company? Are you happy in your current role? You need to weigh all that.

Maximas

Tycoon

Senior Sales Executive

I mean,it's still being considered as a managerial role same as managing closing reps.
To me it still worth trial as long as there is a promising career growth,good working environment and decent payout.
Up to you still,but I don't consider it as a step back based on the above!

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Typically yes. Are you going to be paid more or less?

Sabrinathsaleswitch

Good Citizen

What's motivating your change? I do believe most companies see it as a step down as usual paths are BDR Manager > AE Manager. That said, they're very different in functions so it's really about what you're most passionate about.

Pay I've found to be less as well.

VP Enterprise Sales

You would have to use it as a stepping stone to a larger role, i.e. CRO and explain that you wanted to expand your experience to lead a SDR team. Would it be possible to manage both closers and SDRs in this new role?

CRAG112

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

Ummmmmm...... yes.

Hard to understand how this is a question of yours? If you have been managing closing sales teams for years, wouldn't that mean you intuitively understand the ladder hierarchy of sales positions?

Who is higher on the chain? A closer, or a non-closer?

BlueJays2591

Politicker

Federal Business Dev Director

Yes. Coming from someone in SD Management and moving back into a closing role. Hiring managers on the closing side look at it as a step back, not that it's not valuable experience, but only closing roles matter to closing hiring managers. There's a heavy ceiling to BD management as well

Bravado is a community of trusted sales professionals endorsed by their customers.

Products

The War Room Jobs Salary Guide Tech Sales U

Company

About Us How It Works Blog Bug Bounty

Contact

Press Careers

If you are hired as a contract sales rep by a Bravado customer, we may ask you to prove access to the employee email account provided to you by that customer. This data will be shared with customers to track your sales productivity; customers can use this data to confirm you meet the minimum activity requirements to pay out your ramp stipend and commission.

alwayzbizzie

Is a BDR/SDR manager role a step back if I've been managing closing reps?

18 comments

Related posts

Would you take a BDR manager role?

AEs.. How long did it take you in your previous position (BDR, AM, etc.) to get to a closing role?

Would you consider it a step back to transition from an SDR Manager role to AE?