Smilesndialz profile picture
Smilesndialz profile picture

Smilesndialz

SDR

Politicker
Arsonist
Valued Contributor
+6

MM AE or Senior SDR?

Hi everyone! i have a final round interview soon for a MM AE role but I got an InMail from a recruiter about a senior SDR role for a series A startup that pays more a higher base salary than the MM AE role. 

I'm in a dilemma because I've been an SDR for over a year and really want a closing role but I also like money. Since this would be my first closing role, it may take a while for me to start closing deals but I know I could climb the AE ladder know versus waiting 9-12 months in a senior SDR role. What do you all think? 

For context: 
MM AE - $70K base, $72.5K, $142.5K OTE
Senior SDR - $80-90K base + commissions 


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43 comments

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Gasty
Notable Contributor
5
War Room Community Manager
MM AE hands-down.

If it's series-A, B / etc: MM AE in a different company.
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
4
Bravado's Resident Asshole
Stay away from the Series A!
Smilesndialz
Politicker
0
SDR
@antiASKHOLE Why’s that?
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
4
Bravado's Resident Asshole
Unless you are just looking for something to maybe take off. Series A and startups in general right now, are having issues with staying alive. Plus, are you wanting to stay as an SDR forever or move on to AE? Take the dive to AE and get the experience to advance your career. Ultimately, you will make more money AND have more opps to advance overall.
Smilesndialz
Politicker
1
SDR
@antiASKHOLE You make a great point
CuriousFox
WR Officer
4
🦊
AE. Always AE bb. ❤🦊
Smilesndialz
Politicker
1
SDR
Thank you ❤️❤️ @CuriousFox
YoursTruly
Politicker
4
Account Executive (SaaS)
This it’s a no brainer. Negotiate a higher base with the AE role and run like hell from a series A company.
Smilesndialz
Politicker
0
SDR
@YoursTruly How do I go about negotiating a higher base?
YoursTruly
Politicker
1
Account Executive (SaaS)
Tell them you have another offer and the base is x but want to work for them and then give them the number
braintank
Politicker
3
Enterprise Account Executive
Is the MMAE role also a series A?

Regardless, go for the AE role.
Smilesndialz
Politicker
2
SDR
@braintank MM AE is for a PE backed company.
braintank
Politicker
6
Enterprise Account Executive
Go with AE
TennisandSales
Politicker
3
Head Of Sales
take the AE role! even if the base is a little lower there is a better chance you will make more money by the end of the year and you will make more money long term once you get into the closing role.
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
3
Bravado's Resident Asshole
it is not just a chance, it's basically guaranteed. One sale can change that and close/surpass the gap.
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
haha depending on the TCV! but yes really good probability you will make up that difference.
Smilesndialz
Politicker
1
SDR
@TennisandSales You make a great point. I feel like going from SDR to MM AE is a big jump but in the best way possible.
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
yep. totally agree. getting out of the SDR role opened up a whole new world for me.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
AE. It’s what you want, your OTE is good, and I can’t tell what the OTE could be with the SDR role.
Smilesndialz
Politicker
1
SDR
@Sunbunny31 Thank you! I know closing roles ultimately make more money and I’d get a pay bump with the base anyways but I want to start making money ASAP. You know,
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Understood, but I don’t see what “commissions” translates to $$ wise with the SDR role. Yes, the base is higher, but once you start earning with the AE role, you should be in a better position.
Smilesndialz
Politicker
1
SDR
@Sunbunny31 They didn’t put variable because they probably figured they can get away with an attractive base salary
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
I'd be VERY cautious of that, then.
TheOverTaker
Politicker
2
Senior Account Executive
AE role
Pachacuti
Politicker
2
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
SDR is a closing role in my opinion. Getting the next meeting = closing.
jefe
Arsonist
2
🍁
MM AE for sure.
GDO
Politicker
1
BDM
MM AE
FinanceEngineer
Politicker
1
Sr Director, sales and partnerships
MM AE is a promotion with a larger skill set, and more money. I think it’s an obvious move unless you are worries that the company might go under
Smilesndialz
Politicker
0
SDR
@FinanceEngineer They said they always make money, even during COVID they had record profit. It seems like a stable company.
FinanceEngineer
Politicker
1
Sr Director, sales and partnerships
Do you know how many AEs hit quota? How much are they expanding, and is your territory a new one or shaved off of others? Think about the size of deal and what is needed to hit numbers. That’s what is key.
Smilesndialz
Politicker
0
SDR
I’m going to ask again but I think the recruiter said 80% of AEs are hitting quota and 80% of AEs are 80% or more to target. They’re planning on growing the team this year and early 2023.
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
1
Sales Rep
MM AE better role and more secure
ChickenDinner
Politicker
1
Account Executive
MM AE
payton_pritchard
Executive
1
RSM
imo many of the salary "gates" that come once you're an AE are driven by years of experience + much of your actual ability is gained by doing rather than learning. I think it's worth it to sacrifice a little money now to get that clock started ASAP. And as others have already mentioned, there's a ton more risk associated with that Series A company
Smilesndialz
Politicker
1
SDR
@payton_pritchard I do agree with you. I wouldn’t be taking a pay cut, it would be a $5K bump in terms of base and then once commissions come in, it’s even more money.
payton_pritchard
Executive
1
RSM
They both look like awesome roles. Depending on size of the team and product/market fit at the Series A you could have an awesome path for rapid promotion and personal growth but it's always so hard to tell. In my opinion the AE role is the way to go but doesn't seem like there's really a "wrong" answer here. Good luck!
RedLightning
Politicker
1
Mid-Market AE
You can always take the step back into a BDR role, but you can't always make the jump to AE. Money aside, do you feel like you're ready for a closing role?
Smilesndialz
Politicker
0
SDR
@RedLightning Hell yeah, I feel like I’ve outgrown the SDR role.
BarefootDave
Opinionated
1
EAE
AE for sure! I wouldn't worry about joining a Series A though. Mine is fun!
aiko
Politicker
1
Sr. Account Executive
MM AE bc you'll always be learning to be a better SDR even in a closing role.
Womeninsales
Good Citizen
1
SAE (Senior Account Executive)
AE - work your way up
RomyJax2020
Valued Contributor
1
Enterprise Sales Dev
Series A = 24/7 work, you'll get the blame for most pipeline issues, and unless you like struggling and potentially being abused by your employer, I'd go MM AE.
CRAG112
Valued Contributor
0
Account Executive
Series A is literally going to be sell and be successful or we fire you instantly.

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