SDR Team Lead-> SMB AE

Hey squad,


My BDR manager who I've been working with for 16 months and is one of my closest friends left the company to become an Enterprise AE elsewhere.


I've been an SDR for 13 months here (about to get Series B funding, 100 employees) and been promoted to Sr. SDR and Team lead, but there are no rep roles open and the new SDR manager made it clear that the closest timeline is Feb of 2023, and it's not even guaranteed(based on conditions, existing reps and how the segment is doing).


I've got an offer for a full cycle SMB AE 120k OTE and good equity at a Fortune 50 company with a great product and team. I love my current team, but there has been so much change and friction. I feel bad because I'm the team glue at this point and everybody relies on me and leadership is doing everything they can to take my feedback and make it actionable for the SDR team. At this point, I just want to make $ and close deals and I don't think my current role can help me with that.


I know that they will try to counter me with something since they just gave me a pay raise to keep me around and have started getting leadership to notice what I'm contributing, but I don't think the pay will be close and they won't be able to make me a rep.


To my savages: Thoughts? Should I take the offer and run?


TLDR: took the job, starting at June 6, thank you sales savages!

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๐Ÿ‘ฅ Hiring
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13
Sunbunny31
Politicker
5
Sr Sales Executive ๐Ÿฐ
You want to make money and close deals and don't think your current role can help you with that.

So - sounds like you already know to take the offer, yes?
jefe
Arsonist
0
๐Ÿ
He definitely already knows.

Get that money @startupgeek23ย !!!
TennisandSales
Politicker
3
Head Of Sales
for sure take the money and better position and never look back.ย 

get out of the SDR role as fast as possible. its the best way to make more money in this current environment.ย 
GreenSide
Politicker
1
Sales manager
As the team glue, do they pay your bills?
andrewwmillerr
Personal Narrative
1
AE
Run it back.ย  Take the leap.ย  You don't owe them anythingย 
EasyTechGuy
Executive
1
Sales Development
As mentioned in other comments I think you answered your own question, I'll give you a few other hints though to confirm:ย 

ย I had a mentor tell me that 18months is usually the extent that an SDR can stay an SDR without a promotion or drop in production at a single company. Sure there are edge cases that are built to be SDR's long term, or people who want to move into SDR Leadership.ย 

It doesnt seem from your comments you really want to lead even if you might be capable. at 13months in you're also getting close to that cap i mentioned previously.ย 

As someone who just made that "Tenured" SDR to SMB AE leap, its definitely worth it and not just $$ wise, especially if you find the right company.ย 
Sales_Bandito
Good Citizen
0
BDR
Considering Feb 2022 already passed and youโ€™re not promoted you should probably take the cushy f50 AE gig
Sales_Bandito
Good Citizen
1
BDR
Saw that you fixed it to 2023. Yeah thatโ€™s definitely way to long man. Youโ€™ve already been in seat for 13 months too? Make the jump
startupgeek23
Fire Starter
0
SDR
appreciate it my man! definitely leaning towards so.ย 
Smilesndialz
Politicker
0
SDR
Run! This is a great opportunity, Iโ€™d do it if I were in your shoes.
NotCreativeEnough
Big Shot
0
Professional Day Ruiner
If you want to make money and close deals, accept that offer. Even if you are the โ€œteam glueโ€ thatโ€™s not your problem. If they valued you enough and felt the same they wouldnโ€™t give you such a long timeline for promotion. Go get in the field and grow!
countingmyinterest
Politicker
0
Account Executive
F50 SMB AE easy. Stick around for 1+ year there and you're gonna be cruiiiiiiisin.ย 

once you got the AE title on your resume, you gucci for daysย 
thadeuce
Opinionated
0
SDR (Sales Development Rep)
There is a reason everyone here is telling you to take the job. Because you should take the job. No brainer.
windyvase
Opinionated
0
SDR
@startupgeek23 congrats on the role! Iโ€™m in the same position right now - Sr SDR, looking to break into SMB AE roles. Based off your recent experience, how did you prepare for the interview? Particularly the disco part?
startupgeek23
Fire Starter
0
SDR
Hey man- shoot me a message I'm happy to help you.

Biggest thing is practice, they typically give you a mock deck they want you to follow but make your own. I did things like find case studies of competitors, focus on disco and if you don't know it, own it. I practiced with a lot of SMB AE's at my company as well as some friends I knew in the space.

Hope that helps- it wasn't easy but practice makes perfect.
windyvase
Opinionated
0
SDR
Thanks for the insight, will definitely practice this. Totally would but no feature on here to DM, unfortunately.

Iโ€™m curious during the interview process how much did they stress needing โ€˜closingโ€™ experience, and how did you overcome that question?
startupgeek23
Fire Starter
0
SDR
They want to see that you can manage a pipeline, money hungry and willing to learn/grow.
Salesandcoffeedude
Valued Contributor
0
Business Development Representative
I would love to see what happens - will be in a similar role soon


Gasty
Notable Contributor
0
War Room Community Manager
read the TLDR. Congrats !