Manager, Sales Development- EDU

Job Category

Sales

Location

Chicago, Illinois

About Salesforce

Salesforce is the #1 AI CRM, where humans and agents drive customer success together. Here, ambition meets action. Tech meets trust. And innovation isn't a buzzword — it's a way of life. The world of work as we know it is changing and we're looking for Trailblazers who are passionate about bettering business and the world through AI, driving innovation, and keeping Salesforce's core values at the heart of it all.

Our Business Development teams are at the forefront of this mission — fueling growth by generating high-quality pipeline for our sales organization.

Role Overview

We're looking for a high-energy, motivational leader to manage a team of Business Development Representatives (BDRs) focused on outbound prospecting and generating qualified pipeline within our EDU market segment. In this role, you'll act as both a talent multiplier and a business leader—building and developing a high-performing team by coaching, inspiring, and growing early career talent, while also driving operational excellence through strategic problem solving, business planning, pipeline and forecast management, and continuous performance improvement.

Your Impact

As a Sales Development Manager, you will:

• Be a talent multiplier: Hire, onboard, and develop a diverse, high-performing team of BDRs. Use coaching and regular feedback to help each team member grow into sales-ready talent for future Account Executive roles.
• Lead with motivation: Inspire your team to exceed quota through data-driven coaching, creative incentives, and recognition. Foster a culture of curiosity, accountability, and development.
• Drive business performance: Drive outbound prospecting strategy and execution to generate quality pipeline and revenue.
• Promote operational excellence: Build and optimize processes to maximize efficiency, productivity, and impact.
• Be a problem solver & strategic thinker: Use data to identify performance gaps and opportunities, and develop plans to address them quickly.
• Manage Pipeline & Forecast: Regularly track, analyze, and report on team and individual performance against goals; forecast pipeline and revenue contribution accurately.
• Operate cross-functionally: Partner with Operations, Marketing, Programs, Strategy, and Sales Leadership to align on business priorities, campaign follow-up, and market strategy.

Your Qualifications

• 3+ years of sales leadership experience leading teams of 7+ quota-carrying reps (preferably in business development, inside sales, or SDR/BDR environments).
• Proven track record of delivering on pipeline and revenue goals.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and hire top talent.
• Passion for coaching and developing early career talent.
• Strong executive presence, communication, and presentation skills.
• Experience collaborating cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Strategy, and Enablement.
• Ability to plan and execute a Quarterly Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy and align to larger company priorities.
• Self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, constantly evolving environment.
• Experience as an individual contributor in B2B software sales (preferably in the Higher Education market), with a strong track record of consistently meeting or exceeding quotas preferred.
• Bachelor's degree strongly preferred.

Unleash Your Potential

When you join Salesforce, you'll be limitless in all areas of your life. Our benefits and resources support you to find balance and be your best, and our AI agents accelerate your impact so you can do your best. Together, we'll bring the power of Agentforce to organizations of all sizes and deliver amazing experiences that customers love. Apply today to not only shape the future — but to redefine what's possible — for yourself, for AI, and the world.

Compensation & Benefits

For Illinois based roles, the base salary hiring range for this position is $126,230 to $168,870. Certain roles may be eligible for incentive compensation, equity, and benefits. Salesforce offers a variety of benefits to help you live well including: time off programs, medical, dental, vision, mental health support, paid parental leave, life and disability insurance, 401(k), and an employee stock purchasing program. More details about company benefits can be found at https://www.salesforcebenefits.com.

Accommodations

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Equal Opportunity Statement

Salesforce is an equal opportunity employer and maintains a policy of non-discrimination with all employees and applicants for employment. Salesforce believes in equality for all and is committed to creating a workplace that is inclusive and free from discrimination. Workplace discrimination is illegal. Any employee or potential employee will be assessed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications – without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, transgender status, age, disability, veteran or marital status, political viewpoint, or other classifications protected by law. This policy applies to current and prospective employees, no matter where they are in their Salesforce employment journey. It also applies to recruiting, hiring, job assignment, compensation, promotion, benefits, training, assessment of job performance, discipline, termination, and everything in between.