waterjugsales profile picture
waterjugsales profile picture

waterjugsales

Account Executive @ Funemployed

Politicker
Opinionated
Praised Answer
+5

Thoughts on an AE -> SDR Manager/ BDR Manager?

Hi all,


I've been ruthlessly searching for new jobs since being laid off. Previously, I've only been an IC and am about 4 years into my career (traditional outbound SDR -> SMB AE -> Full Cycle MM AE).


I've started applying to some sales dev manager roles.


I haven't been applying to a ton of these roles but something intrigues me about coaching a new generation of potential sellers as I am pretty solid at creating and developing sustainable processes. But at the same time, I remember how much a shitshow my SDR team (new grads, people who switched industries, people just cashing pay checks, incompetent manager and leadership pressure to annihilate prospects phones and inboxes ). Those things concern me but I feel like I could overcome and alleviate the variables there (maybe I couldn't, I don't know everything).


Curious if any you were AEs but decided to move back to manager a team of SDRs? or know of people who did? Good and bad stories are welcome.





Would you ever consider going from AE - > SDR Manager

Attached poll
*Voting in this poll no longer yields commission.
🧢 Sales Management
🚀 Career Goals
🤘 Personal Growth
18

22 comments

Sort by:
RandyLahey
Politicker
6
Account Executive
Context is key; you can have great intentions but unfortunately if the situation deteriorates, it's all for naught.
Think of it from a first principles approach. What is your desired outcome? And which path will get you there?
waterjugsales
Politicker
1
Account Executive @ Funemployed
Solid advice here
BTQ
Politicker
5
Account Manager
Why would YOU want to switch from AE to a manny? Is it because the job market is tight or do you genuinely want to babysit SDRs?
waterjugsales
Politicker
2
Account Executive @ Funemployed
I’d like the challenge, it’d be a new endeavor. I mean objectively the market is tight but that’s not why I’m considering it. I’m getting interviews for AE roles, I’m just contemplating this idea now vs just getting an AE role and realizing I should’ve tried this.
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
2
☕️
Why do you want to be manager? You can’t just dip your toes—you need to be passionate about developing people.
Angusmacg
Valued Contributor
3
Territory Account Mgr.
Why not? As long as the comp plan is good enough and then overall pay works for you then do it. Most likely will be less overall stress and having someone with sales chops in the manager role is always a good thing for their employees
Beans
Big Shot
2
Enterprise Account Executive
Step back, you should be gunning for managing closers.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
2
🦊
I said no b/c I don't like the SDR world.
HVACexpert
Politicker
1
sales engineer
If managing and coaching a team is something you’re passionate about then do it. You can always go back to IC if you think it doesn’t suit you
Pachacuti
Politicker
1
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
With just 4 years exp I’m not sure what you’d contribute as a manager but a job is a job so if you land it - go for it!
waterjugsales
Politicker
1
Account Executive @ Funemployed
Valid point, there are a lot of SDR managers I’ve seen promoted within 2 years of being an SDR to manager at least in smaller startup environments and they didn’t know shit and were terrible.

Ideally I’d be above that but who knows
jefe
Arsonist
1
🍁
I wouldn't want to get stuck into the SDR side of things, but I do really like managing, coaching, and developing.
If you need the money and want the experience, then go for it.
SoccerandSales
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
I know a ton of people who have made that switch and enjoyed it. SDM is a tough gig though and definitely not for the faint of heart
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
1
Sales Rep
Like everything it depends what you want.

I see being a BDR Manager as an extremely tough role. Having a team of fresh college grads in a remote setting, it can be a challenge to motivate
1
Retired Sales Professional
The decision will ultimately be yours no matter what advice you recieve. But from my own experience, there is nothing wrong with taking a step back as long as you have a plan to make out and to a better position. I have, (even though I'm not from the tech), taken a step back but always had a plan to make leaps forward and it worked out. All the best.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
I wouldn’t do it personally, but if you’re really motivated to manage SDRs into excellence, go for it.

Wish I could upvote you twice for the proper use of “alleviate”.
GDO
Politicker
0
BDM
It would not be something I would consider
Mothy
Politicker
0
Account Executive
SDM is brutal. I would much prefer to manage closers. SDRs tend to be flighty, and it is already a difficult role from some standpoints. Takes a special kind of person to be effective at it.
Rosie
Catalyst
0
Sales Director
If the´d pay me 150k I´d do it
MyAnonymousName
Opinionated
0
Sales Leader
It really comes down to what do you want?

Managing is a whole different beast and while creating and developing sustainable processes is a good start, it is going to be the easiest part of your job by far.

The biggest shift from IC to Manager is your success is no longer completely controlled by you (I know I know territories, shitty quotas, etc. but you know what I mean).

You have to get genuine fulfillment about seeing other's succeed (and get credit), enjoy coaching, and be ok with being higher management's whipping post without letting it spill onto your team.
davidsandlerrulez
Old School Bravo
0
Account Executive
From a career standpoint, you are putting yourself in a holding pattern w a ceiling.

Only thing you can do being an BDR Manager and being another BDR Manager. If you look at the layoffs, BDR Managers got absolutely destroyed. If you go to a startup or something maybe you can shift into a director role, but I know plenty of BDR Managers who had a uphill battle going back to being an AE after doing their time & not seeing promotions etc.

Question to ask yourself is in 5 years is this what you still want to be doing or would you rather move up to Enterprise AE at a Tier 1?
LambyCorn
Arsonist
0
A mfkn E
depends on comp in my opinion lmao - if its the same dough $ i rather AE 100 times

Related posts

11

BDR to AE or BDR Manager?

Discussion
🧢
🤷‍♂
13
BDR Manager or AE
36% BDR Manager
64% AE
94 people voted
10

AE to SDR manager?

Question
🚀
🏋️‍♀️
☁️
16
13

AE or BDR Manager?

Advice
🚀
🤷‍♂
💯
21
Where do I try to steer this?
22% BDR Manager
78% AE
130 people voted
Bravado is a community of trusted sales professionals endorsed by their customers.
Apple Store logo
Products
The War Room Jobs Salary Guide Tech Sales U
Company
About Us How It Works Blog Bug Bounty
Contact
Press Careers
© 2024 Bravado Inc. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy Legal and Privacy Center Sales Jobs
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.