Sales Manager, SMB (Chicago)

Aikido Security; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Flexible hours

Job summary

Aikido Security is seeking a hands-on Sales Manager to lead and grow the SMB sales team in Chicago. You will coach SMB Account Executives, drive pipeline growth, and refine outbound and inbound sales processes to boost revenue.

The role requires proven leadership of SMB SaaS teams, strong prospecting skills, and the ability to manage CRM workflows. Based in Chicago, IL, or willing to relocate, you will shape a high-performance sales culture and partner with marketing on GTM initiatives.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading high-performing SaaS sales teams in SMB
• Experience managing SMB Account Executives
• Strong outbound, prospecting, and pipeline management skills
• Tech-savvy and comfortable selling technical products
• Based in or willing to relocate to Chicago, IL

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and scale a team of SMB Account Executives based in Chicago
• Drive pipeline generation and revenue growth across your territory
• Improve outbound, inbound, and sales execution processes
• Support reps on strategic deals and key accounts
• Build a high-performance, high-accountability sales culture
• Collaborate with marketing and growth on GTM initiatives targeting SMB customers
• Hire, onboard, and develop top sales talent
• Forecast accurately and manage team performance metrics

Skills

SaaS sales leadership

SMB sales

Outbound prospecting

CRM workflows

Pipeline management

Coaching

People management

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Job Description

We’re making security suck less for developers. Security tools haven’t kept up with how software is built today. They interrupt teams, slow releases, and turn security into a bottleneck instead of a capability. We built Aikido to change that. Aikido builds developer-first security products that reduce real risk without getting in the way of shipping software. We focus on what actually matters and automate the rest.

Founded in 2022 by third-time founders, Aikido has $85M in the bank and a long runway ahead. We’re building toward self-securing software. Join an all-star team. Take real ownership. Push boundaries. Build things that matter.

We're looking for a hands‑on Sales Manager to lead and grow our SMB sales team in Chicago.

You’ll be responsible for managing and coaching a team of SMB Account Executives covering the Chicago market. This is not a pure management role; we’re looking for someone who leads from the front, helps close deals, sharpens execution, and raises the bar across the team.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and scale a team of SMB Account Executives based in Chicago
• Drive pipeline generation and revenue growth across your territory
• Improve outbound, inbound, and sales execution processes
• Support reps on strategic deals and key accounts
• Build a high-performance, high-accountability sales culture
• Collaborate with marketing and growth on GTM initiatives targeting SMB customers
• Hire, onboard, and develop top sales talent
• Forecast accurately and manage team performance metrics

Job Requirements

• Proven experience leading high-performing SaaS sales teams in an SMB segment
• Experience managing SMB Account Executives
• Strong understanding of outbound sales, prospecting, CRM workflows, and pipeline management
• Tech-savvy and comfortable selling technical products
• Strong coaching and people management skills
• Self-starter who thrives in a fast-growing startup environment
• Based in or willing to relocate to Chicago, IL

What you can expect

• Short decision lines. Big ownership. Shape the projects that matter and ship fast.
• Grow as fast as we do. Take on more, own more, and carve out your own path.
• Top-tier tech pay and equity.
• High trust, strong values, zero corporate BS.
• Flexibility in working hours.
• A company that sticks to its values in an open and informal atmosphere.

We hire for talent, drive, and potential. Everything else is noise.