Sales Director Interview

I have a few interviews coming up for Sales Director/Manager roles for a few tech companies managing a team of AEs. I haven't sold SaaS before but come from a background of selling to the C-level suite from pure cold outreach. I'm making the transition from outside the industry and I know it's going to be competitive.


Does anyone have any useful information they can share? e.g. good reads, inside info, presentation decks, data resources, etc.



☁️ Software Tech
🧢 Sales Management
11
braintank
Politicker
5
Enterprise Account Executive
First, SaaS isn't an industry. It's a way to distribute technology.

Second, unless you post more specific info (e.g. what industry you're coming from/looking at, what areas you feel weakest about, etc.) you're going to get a lot of generic advice.  
Diablo
Politicker
4
Sr. AE
Resources for what? Interview prep? If I were you, I would read through the job description, company web, news, channels, will go through some of the profiles that I would be managing, I would also like to read through some of the S.Dir linkedin profile to see what they are doing, how they are doing, etc. etc. So google is your best friend for now. 

All the best champ!
jefe
Arsonist
1
🍁
As others have said, not nearly enough info. Have you ever managed a team? What industry are you in? Is it software but not SaaS?

There are a ton of people giving GREAT advice in the WR, but you've gotta give us something to work with!
Illyrian
Opinionated
1
Enterprise Account Executive
Stay away from Oracle especially if it’s your first foray into SaaS. Challenging products, challenging leadership and fragmented org - don’t think I’ve met anyone yet to say good things about them
jschmoney
Personal Narrative
0
VP, Business Development
There can be quite a bit of nuance between a Sales Manager and a Sales Director.  What do you want to do? Manage people (if so, what kind of roles?), report to leadership, and carry the team quota? Or manage a personal quota, shepherd a small group of reps / SDRs, etc? Are you a player/coach?  How's your forecasting ability? 

What does the industry transition look like?  Also, note that it's SaaS, not SAAS.
Salesup
Valued Contributor
0
Sales Executive
Look at that, you guys are already helping out.  I updated the post with your feedback. 

Salesforce and Oracle are the two ones I'm most excited about. I come from a background of pure cold outreach selling 6-figure deals to the C-suite.  I know with either company I'd have much better resources. I've been a top producer for years and am looking to lead a team of AE's.  

I'm building out my deck and just trying to include info about:
Individual/Team Quotas (obviously varies by product)
KPIs
Expected YOY growth
Typical Sales Tools
Industry Trends

I am a great forecaster, but I'm still doing my research on the product so it's hard to present actuals without knowing the deal sizes and past numbers. 
Upper_Class_SaaS
Politicker
0
Account Executive
I think owning the lack of saas experience is big but playing up the strengths will help
princess_slaya
Fire Starter
0
RVP
Having worked at one of those companies they often want people transitioning from non-tech careers to come in even a level down from where they were previously to prove their SaaS chops. Be prepared to consider an AE role potentially.
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