I always wondered if moving into Sales Management was really a beneficial career move? Do managers or VPs make more money than top AEs? Fire away
Hannibal
Is management truly a career move?
6
Depends on your skillset.
I was at a company where I was a top AE but part of that was due to opportunity and how it was spread out. I knew I couldn't continue once they hired the 5 more AE's they were looking to hire.
That said, over the long term, management was going to be a better move for me money wise. Also had to take my career trajectory into consideration.
I was at a company where I was a top AE but part of that was due to opportunity and how it was spread out. I knew I couldn't continue once they hired the 5 more AE's they were looking to hire.
That said, over the long term, management was going to be a better move for me money wise. Also had to take my career trajectory into consideration.
I actually enjoy being in management roles, and am fairly good at it. I do hope to transition to that one day, but I still need more time in the trenches.
money has never been a motivator for me, though. Well, as long as I’m above six figures anyway.
money has never been a motivator for me, though. Well, as long as I’m above six figures anyway.
More money than the top producer, no they shouldn't. But they make significantly more base and bonuses are usually pretty high. So when that top performer blows out a year and makes $300-400k, then makes $150-200 for a couple years, his VP was making $300 all those years. It is more balanced than the IC but I expect my reps to make more than me.
Top IC's at my org definitely can blow out VP's in a good year hands down.
That being said there's a lot of pros and cons for both. As was mentioned by someone else- the consistency might be a bit in favor of management but the highs of an IC are noteable.
It all comes down to what you're interested in long term- do you like all the other aspects of building and managing teams? There's a lot of admin bs that will be put on your plate as a VP, and if you want to get into that it should be because you enjoy idea of coaching and managing people not for the more solid income and for title chasing.
I always thought I might want to get into management but after seeing what my VP deals with from his boss and CRO, I'm thinking my life looks pretty flexible and I have a lot of freedom which is really appealing right now.
No wrong answer here, just a lot to consider and what will fit your skillsets and long term goals.
Good Luck!
That being said there's a lot of pros and cons for both. As was mentioned by someone else- the consistency might be a bit in favor of management but the highs of an IC are noteable.
It all comes down to what you're interested in long term- do you like all the other aspects of building and managing teams? There's a lot of admin bs that will be put on your plate as a VP, and if you want to get into that it should be because you enjoy idea of coaching and managing people not for the more solid income and for title chasing.
I always thought I might want to get into management but after seeing what my VP deals with from his boss and CRO, I'm thinking my life looks pretty flexible and I have a lot of freedom which is really appealing right now.
No wrong answer here, just a lot to consider and what will fit your skillsets and long term goals.
Good Luck!
Yeah I guess the silver bullet is who you report to, whether you are an IC or VP - if the situation is toxic, micromanaging and tons of unnecessary admin BS - that simply sucks no matter what role you are in. I guess I love my independence a little too much but sometimes I just fear the ageism when I have team mates that are 10-15+ years younger than me... but at the same time I love mentoring those guys and finishing at the top of leadership board and seeing the look on their face is priceless.
Time management is definitely on the side of the IC, stability in income is great but man management is brutal for work/life especially with young kids. Sometimes i wish i wouldve stayed IC, but i do love the mentoring aspect and what i do in off hours at home so makes sense.
Depends on your skills and do you really like managing people? It's a whole new game
you can make money at both, so like others said take that off the table.
-as an IC you are more free and you manage your own time, business.
-as a manager you are (hopefully) a resource for others to guide and support
-as an IC you are more free and you manage your own time, business.
-as a manager you are (hopefully) a resource for others to guide and support
I moved from AE to VP 3 years ago. The stress of managing a team of 5+ gets old after awhile. More prominent positions have been offered because of the title but ultimately I think I want to go back to IC.
Exactly this. People underestimate the stress.
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