Would you consider it a step back to transition from an SDR Manager role to AE?

Did 16 months as an SDR, then the past 10 months as SDR Manager. Just had a final round interview today to become an AE at a different company and I'm curious if I should consider this a step back or a step forward
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26
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
12
SaaS Eater
Moving from a non closing role to a closing role is never a step back. Additionally you are going to give yourself wayyyyy more upside than a BDR manager role.
goose
Politicker
1
Sales Executive
BDR Manager is the first one voted off the island when they figure out this whole predictable revenue model doesn't work.
SaaSam
Politicker
8
Account Executive
Depends on your career goals. I would personally consider it a step forward. I feel there may be a bit more opportunity in the future by taking the AE path
Chickenwing3791
Opinionated
3
SDR Manager
Absolutely agree. I want to try my hand at closing and work my way up to enterprise sales eventually
SaaSam
Politicker
2
Account Executive
That's where the money is my friend. Plus with managerial experience your options are a bit more vast. 
CaneWolf
Politicker
1
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
You absolutely nailed it. This is a smart move. You can always go back to the SDR Management path but there is a clock on how long somebody will allow you to be in other roles to become a first-time AE.
MCP
Valued Contributor
7
Sales Director
It’s about where you want your BS to come from, clients or subordinates. AE is about you, management is about everyone else that you take the fall for when they suck. Based on your tenure I think you have a LOT to experience before you even consider management. Go sell, make some money, learn a thing or two and in a few years decide what challenges & rewards you more.
SaaSam
Politicker
2
Account Executive
Good point. Plus should you decide you prefer SDR manager and want to go back to it having AE experience will make a considerably better SDR manager than someone that doesn't.
Chickenwing3791
Opinionated
1
SDR Manager
Damn your comment of “management is about everyone else that you take the fall for when they suck” is so fucking spot on. I miss being an individual contributor and only worrying about myself. 98% sure I’ll be getting an offer that I will be accepting
emooney
Opinionated
0
RSM
This!
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
0
Rolling 20's all day
This is great advice! It always makes me laugh when you hear from companies that they "fast track people into management". I can count the times I've been told that they take a fresh rep out of college and after a year put them into sales management positions.
Like what the hell, that is stupid. You need at least a few years in the professional world to just get your bearings.
maverickmission
Opinionated
0
SDR @ HCM company
What a great question- where do you want the bs coming from?!

I’m asking a similar question as I transition from 7 years consumer direct sales to BDR this month. Consumers will at least tell you to go f yourself, it’s more red tape and pleasantries in the B2B world.

MCP your team is lucky to have you.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
5
🦊
Moving forward 100%. Come to the dark side of elite closers baby. You know you wanna. 
Coffeesforclosers
Notable Contributor
2
Director Sales and Market Development
Closing skills are a great resume booster. You can always fall back on BDR. Biz dev has a ceiling and you are almost at it. Closing role offers so many more doors. Go young one! Enter the dark side. 
Chickenwing3791
Opinionated
0
SDR Manager
Ready to get my SADNESS on
Justatitle
Big Shot
2
Account Executive
It’s really a lateral move IMO. Just depends on what you want. Babysitting internally or babysitting externally and annoying to get signatures lol.
Chickenwing3791
Opinionated
1
SDR Manager
Lol so over babysitting internally and then getting shit on when my SDRs don’t hit quota
Justatitle
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
Listen man, you’re going to get shit on in sales daily and rarely is it your fault. It’s in the fine print of the offer letter. Luckily we’re in sales so we can wipe the shot away with $20 bills while marketing strategizes on the next webinar…
Chickenwing3791
Opinionated
0
SDR Manager
Lol preach man
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
2
☕️
Do you want to make more money, stop managing infants, and enjoy the growth game until you're ready to manage real reps? Do this.
RaymundoFlex
Opinionated
1
AE
If you don’t have closing experience as an SDR manager, you better work as an AE before you manage me.
RaymundoFlex
Opinionated
1
AE
Managers without AE time are the worst
SaaSyBee
Politicker
1
Founder
Not at all. If you want to be an IC, be an AE. It's not a step back, just a different path forward.
ragnarlothbrok
Politicker
0
Key account manager
defo a step in the right direction, although a lot depends on you and what you have in mind for your career path. Will give you more valuable experience even if it doesn't work out

avocadobegood
Valued Contributor
0
MM Account Executive
completely depends on career goals. would be curious to hear the pros / cons of why you're considering it? asking as i nearly did the same thing a few years back but opted to stay in the AE realm.
alecabral
Arsonist
0
Director - Digital Sales Transformation
It really does depend on how you perceive your career. It wouldn't be a step back for me if I just figured the sdr manager role was not for me, or if I enjoyed the AE job way more.
dwightyouignorantsale
Politicker
0
Account Executive
Honestly I would consider this a step forward. SDR management positions are great, but there is really no route up except for moving to larger orgs and managing larger teams. As an AE, you technically have that same issue, but your earning potential is much greater as you can continue to work at companies that have larger and larger deal sizes. This totally depends on what your goals are though.
Grant_Horun
Politicker
0
Account Executive
I think this is a step forward. It is hard to manage a sales team if you yourself do not have sales experience in running a full deal cycle. By getting full sales cycle experience you can always go back into management with more skills under your belt. 
FromaBlankPerspective
Politicker
0
District Manager
Forward.
goose
Politicker
0
Sales Executive
Only if you make less.  But, in the end one step back for two steps forward isn't necessarily a bad thing.
11

How long does it take to move from an AE role to a sales manager role?

Question
4
7

Advice for moving from SDR to AE role

Advice
11
10

Would you take a BDR manager role?

Question
11
Is taking a BDR manager role vs inside sales a career killer?
33% Yes - it adds 0 to your resume if you have no closing experience
67% No - being a manager of any sort is a positive thing
129 people voted