Sales Development Representative

Scholarshipowl; Johannesburg; Remote; ZAR 835,000 - 1,503,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully Remote

Unlimited PTO

Tech Budget

Home Office Setup

Monthly Coworking Allowance

Job summary

ScholarshipOwl is seeking a gritty, resilient Sales Development Representative to drive high‑volume pipeline for our B2B side. You’ll hunt brands, qualify leads, and equip Account Executives with ready-to-engage meetings across fintech, higher ed, and consumer sectors.

You will build targeted lists, craft punchy outreach, and excel at multi‑channel sequences, with a focus on data-driven results and tight handoffs to AEs. This is a fully remote, international role with overlapping US hours.

Qualifications

• 1+ year outbound SDR/BDR experience targeting US companies with a track record of quota achievement.
• Solid hands-on CRM background (HubSpot preferred) and active LinkedIn prospecting chops.
• Execution: structured outreach sequences and activity metrics without micromanagement.
• Clean, punchy writing with strong written English; US marketing leader evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Relentless prospecting to build targeted account lists using tools like Clay, LinkedIn, and HubSpot.
• Execute high-touch multi-channel outreach across email, LinkedIn, video, and calls.
• Tailor messaging by verticals and buyer personas with pre-outreach research.
• Qualify leads using SPICED framework before handing to Account Executives.
• Document SDR-to-AE handoffs clearly for smooth demos.
• Maintain CRM data integrity with logs, updates, and deal credits.
• Share weekly KPIs and participate in coaching sessions and call reviews.

Skills

Outbound SDR experience

HubSpot CRM

LinkedIn prospecting

Structured outreach

Strong written English

Rejection handling

Tools

HubSpot CRM

LinkedIn Sales Navigator

Job description

About ScholarshipOwl

ScholarshipOwl is the largest scholarship marketplace in the U.S., connecting over 14 million Gen Z students with private scholarships — and the brands that power them. Our mission is to make education financing more accessible and engaging, while giving brands a way to connect with the next generation.

We’re powered by AI technology that simplifies scholarship discovery, streamlines the application process, and delivers measurable results for both students and partners. Whether it’s helping students secure funding or enabling brands to run impactful campaigns, we’re reshaping how education is funded — and discovered.

The Role

We are looking for a gritty, resilient Sales Development Representative (SDR) to drive fresh pipeline for ScholarshipOwl’s B2B side. In this role, you will be hunting down and qualifying brands looking to get in front of students across the fintech, higher ed, gaming, and consumer sectors.

Your main objective is clear: keep our Account Executives fully supplied with well‑researched, high‑intent meetings so the sales team never hits a dry spell. This is a high‑volume, high‑impact role for someone who thrives on building targeted lists, crafting punchy outreach, and handling rejection without losing momentum.

What You’ll Do

• Relentless Prospecting: Build targeted account and contact lists using tools like Clay, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, and HubSpot.

• Multi‑Channel Outreach: Execute high‑touch cadences across email, LinkedIn DMs, video recordings, warm selling, voice notes, and cold calls.

• Message Tailoring: Craft hyper‑personalized messaging based on specific verticals, buyer personas, and deep pre‑outreach homework.

• Strategic Qualification: Run thorough discovery using the SPICED framework to qualify leads before handing them over to AEs.

• Seamless Handoffs: Document detailed, spotless SDR‑to‑AE handoff notes so the AE can jump right into the demo without missing a beat.

• Pipeline Mastery: Maintain immaculate CRM data integrity, including activity logs, property updates, and deal credits in HubSpot.

• Metrics & Coaching: Present your weekly KPIs (activity metrics, reply rates, meetings booked/held) during the Monday Sales L10 and actively participate in team coaching sessions and call recording overviews.

What You’ll Be Selling

• Sponsored Scholarship Campaigns (SSC) - Our flagship product, acting as a performance marketing channel. Brands earn the next generation of customers, and students earn financial aid. You will be prospecting into Growth Managers or Marketing Leads who are evaluating vendors based on budget, ROI, and audience fit.

• ScholarshipOwl Pro - Scholarship management SaaS for organizations already running their own scholarship programs in cumbersome or inefficient ways.

What We’re Looking For

Must‑Haves:

• Experience: At least 1 year of outbound SDR/BDR experience targeting US companies, with a verifiable track record of quota achievement.

• Tool Fluency: Solid hands‑on CRM background (HubSpot preferred) and active LinkedIn prospecting chops (Sales Navigator or equivalent).

• Execution: Proven experience running structured outreach sequences and dialing up activity metrics independently without micro‑management.

• Communication: Clean, punchy, and concise writing style. Strong written English proficiency (natural enough that a US marketing leader won’t spot it as a second language).

• Mindset: True grit to handle rejection, an inquisitive mindset that asks sharp discovery questions, and high coachability to apply constructive feedback immediately.

• Education: None required. A proven track record of booking meetings completely overrides formal degrees.

Bonus Points (Nice‑to‑Haves):

• 2+ years of experience in the SDR/BDR seat.

• Experience selling directly into marketing, growth, or brand partnership leadership (CMOs, etc.).

• A background in fast‑paced startup environments where you built your own lists and cadences from scratch.

• Familiarity with data enrichment and automation platforms (Clay, Apollo, ZoomInfo, PhantomBuster).

• Experience using cloud‑based, AI‑powered sales platforms (Nooks, Orum) or AI‑driven research/personalization tools.

• A natural competitive drive backed by outside interests, athletics, or side projects, with a clear ambition to step into an AE role down the road.

Why Join ScholarshipOwl?

• Mission‑Driven Work: Build technology that helps students unlock education opportunities and reduce financial barriers.

• Fully Remote: Work from anywhere in the world while collaborating with a global team. (Note: This role requires overlapping with standard U.S. working hours for client meetings).

• High Impact & Ownership: You aren’t just a cog in a machine; you own your domain and directly drive results.

• Unlimited PTO: We value outcomes over hours worked and trust you to manage your time.

• Computer Upgrade Budget: Up to $1,600 to invest in your ideal primary work computer.

• Workspace Upgrade Program: Up to $800 to set up your home office.

• Monthly Coworking Allowance: $200/month to rent desks or workspace passes whenever you want a change of scenery.

• Owl Shine Program: Monthly employee recognition and awards celebrating extraordinary contributions.

• Continuous Learning Culture: Dedicated support for curiosity, bold experimentation, and career growth.

• Annual Global Off‑sites: Connect with your teammates in person at exciting locations around the world.