Manager, Sales Development - Chicago, IL

Kong; Springfield (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Kong Inc. is seeking a Sales Development Leader to oversee a team driving the AMER pipeline. You will lead inbound and outbound SDRs, shape talent development, and collaborate across Sales, Revenue Operations, Marketing, and Customer Success to execute a go-to-market plan.

You will foster an in-office culture with hybrid collaboration, champion data-driven processes, and push for scalable growth while maintaining operational discipline to reach aggressive revenue milestones.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in B2B SaaS.
• 1+ years building and managing a high-performing SDR/sales org in B2B SaaS.
• Excellent communication and feedback skills.
• Experience in a high-growth startup with hybrid teams.
• Proven ability to build pipeline programs and drive revenue.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing SDR team.
• Hire and shape development programs for career progression.
• Maintain operational rigor and drive a predictable business.
• Foster a positive, collaborative culture.
• Operate in a hybrid in-office environment.
• Create reporting loops with stakeholders on KPIs and forecasts.
• Collaborate with Sales, Revenue Ops, Marketing, Customer Success, and Partnerships to design a go-to-market plan for pipeline generation.
• Excel in change management to hit revenue milestones.
• Maintain market pulse and facilitate cross-department feedback.
• Identify opportunities to innovate and drive change.

Skills

B2B SaaS

Sales leadership

Communication skills

Hybrid work experience

Pipeline development

Job description

About The Role

As one of the Sales Development leaders , you will oversee a team of inbound and outbound Sales Development Representatives (SDRs). Your mission is to drive the growth of our sales pipeline across the AMER region. This role requires a dynamic leader that is comfortable building and executing. You are passionate about career development and scalable success. Lastly, you are hands‑on and excited about fostering an in‑office culture and your best work is done cross‑functionally.

What You\'ll Be Doing

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of SDRs.
• Hire the best talent in the industry. Shape development programs for career progression to keep talent engagement and doing great work at Kong.
• Maintain operational rigor across all elements of the business. Drive a predictable business.
• Drive a positive and collaborative culture that inspires teamwork and professional growth.
• Find a successful balance in a hybrid in-office environment
• Create a reporting and feedback loop with stakeholders on team performance, KPIs, customer insights, roadblocks, and pipeline forecasts.
• Work within an ecosystem of leaders across Sales, Revenue Operations, Marketing, Customer Success, and Partnership teams to design and execute a go‑to‑market plan for pipeline generation.
• Excel in change management as the company strives to meet critical and aggressive revenue milestones
• Maintain a strong pulse on the market. Facilitate a feedback loop between Sales and other departments.
• Identify opportunities to innovate. Be a catalyst to positive change.

What You\'ll Bring

• 5+ years of experience in B2B SaaS.
• 1+ years of experience building and managing a high-performing Sales or Sales Development Org in B2B SaaS.
• Exceptional communication skills with an ability to give and receive feedback thoughtfully.
• Experience in high-growth, fast-paced startup environments, preferably with hybrid remote and in-office teams.
• Experience building and leading high-performance sales teams, selling a complex technical product.
• Subject matter expert in building pipeline programs and efforts to drive revenue.

About Kong

Kong Inc., the AI Connectivity Company, is building the connectivity layer of AI. Trusted by the Fortune 500® and AI-native startups alike, Kong’s unified API and AI platform enables organizations to secure, manage, accelerate, govern, and monetize the flow of intelligence across APIs and AI traffic - on any model, any cloud. For more information, visit www.konghq.com.