Manager, Sales Development

Your Role

At Ascend, Sales Development is a core GTM function–critical for generating pipeline and developing future sales talent. As we scale across segments and products, we’re hiring a thoughtful, hands-on SDR Manager to lead the team day-to-day: coaching reps, building structure, and helping the team consistently hit pipeline targets and grow their careers.

If you’ve struggled through cold calls, figured out what works, and helped others do the same–this is your chance to lead a high-performing SDR team and fast-track your career inside a high-velocity GTM org.

Responsibilities will include:

• Being a player-coach: Lead from the front, jump on the phones when needed, and guide reps on cold call strategy and execution
• Coaching and developing: Run 1:1s, identify skill gaps, deliver actionable feedback, lead trainings, and help the team improve week over week
• Owning performance: Drive pipeline generation with clear input/output expectations by segment
• Refining process: Build and scale outbound workflows, cadences, and handoffs in close partnership with Marketing and the broader GTM org
• Growing the team: Hire, ramp, and retain SDRs while fostering a strong, motivated (and fun) team culture.
• Collaborating cross-functionally: Work with Marketing on campaigns, events, and messaging, and with Sales on conversion and feedback loops

Objective #1: In your first 30 days, you will:

• Ramp quickly on Ascend’s market, messaging, and GTM structure
• Shadow reps, review cold calls, and understand current outbound workflows by segment
• Run 1:1s with every SDR to assess skill gaps, habits, and goals
• Begin live coaching and delivering feedback on calls, emails, and process execution
• Sync with Sales, Marketing, and RevOps to understand key handoffs and performance levers

Objective #2: In your first 60 days, you will:

• Set clear activity and pipeline expectations by role and segment
• Implement weekly 1:1s, call reviews, and team-level coaching cadences
• Launch one initiative to improve outbound results (e.g., cadence rebuild, new call review formats)
• Begin hiring or onboarding pipeline for future SDRs as needed
• Partner with Marketing and AEs to align on messaging, campaigns, and follow-up

Objective #3: In your first 90 days, and beyond, you will:

• Fully own SDR team performance and pipeline creation across segments
• Use data to identify coaching opportunities and close conversion gaps
• Track results of outbound initiative and drive iteration across the team
• Strengthen SDR <> AE <> Marketing feedback loops to improve conversion
• Build a strong team culture focused on learning, performance, and progression

You might be a good fit if you are/have:

• 2+ years in an SDR organization and 6+ months in SDR leadership
• Cold calling expertise–you’ve done it, coached it, and can jump in when needed
• Track record of coaching, training, and mentoring SDRs
• Experience executing multi-channel outbound (calls, email, linkedin, on-sites, direct mail)
• Proficiency in core SDR tech stack: Salesforce, Outreach, LI SalesNav, Apollo, Glyphic
• Background in high-growth SaaS a plus; comfortable with change and velocity
• Strong communicator with the presence to work directly with founders and GTM leadership

Compensation: $150k - $170k OTE (70/30 split)