Sales Leader, Sales Development

Perplexity

. Build and scale Perplexity's enterprise BDR organization .

Posted 9/18/2026full-timeSan Francisco • California • United StatesSenior💰 $220,000 - $320,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in building and scaling enterprise BDR organizations, with a focus on pipeline generation, team performance, and talent development. Proven ability to align sales development strategies with enterprise sales cycles and revenue goals while fostering a culture of experimentation and accountability.

Highest-signal resume keywords

SaaS Sales LeadershipPipeline Generation StrategyTeam Coaching and DevelopmentFunnel Analysis and ForecastingCRM Systems Proficiency

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Sales Development LeadershipPipeline ManagementCapacity PlanningForecastingPerformance Metrics Analysis

Soft Skills

Exceptional CommunicationCreative Problem SolvingAgility in Fast-Changing Environments

Tools & Technologies

SalesforceModern Prospecting ToolsAI-Native Sales Workflows

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Experience

Industry Keywords

Business DevelopmentEnterprise SalesHigh-Growth EnvironmentAccountabilityTalent Development

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Build and scale Perplexity's enterprise BDR organization
Inherit a team of Business Development Representatives and hire, coach, and lead BDR managers
Establish expectations for team performance, coaching quality, hiring, and talent development
Own sourced pipeline and qualified opportunities, holding managers accountable for pipeline quality and conversion
Set sales development strategy across inbound and outbound motions
Partner with Sales leadership on coverage, capacity planning, account prioritization, and resource allocation
Build a culture of creative experimentation across targeting, vertical messaging, channels, campaigns, and AI-native workflows
Translate changing product, buyer, and business information into clear decisions and fast execution
Coach managers to build vertical fluency and product expertise
Establish manager 1:1s, pipeline and conversion reviews, coaching calibration, talent reviews, and performance scoreboards
Partner with Sales, Marketing, RevOps, and Strategic Finance on campaign strategy, lead quality, routing, handoff standards, source attribution, headcount planning, and compensation design
Stay close to calls, messaging, and buyer feedback to identify patterns and remove systemic blockers
Build a leadership bench and internal talent pipeline, developing BDRs into future Account Executives and managers into broader leadership roles

Requirements

What you’ll need

8+ years in SaaS sales or business development, including 3+ years in sales development leadership
Proven track record of building or scaling a multi-team pipeline generation organization in a high-growth environment
Measurable improvements in qualified pipeline, conversion, and productivity
Ability to hire, coach, and develop managers
Experience building accountability through leaders
Creative approach to pipeline generation, including campaigns, messaging, channels, or workflows
Agility in ambiguous, fast-changing environments
Strong commercial judgment and experience aligning sales development priorities with enterprise sales cycles, buyer needs, and revenue goals
Prior closing experience strongly preferred
Experience in funnel analysis, capacity planning, forecasting pipeline contribution, and distinguishing meaningful outcomes from vanity metrics
Hands-on experience with modern prospecting tools, AI-native sales workflows, and CRM systems such as Salesforce
Exceptional written and verbal communication
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Benefits

Comp & perks

Equity
Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Retirement benefits
Fitness benefits
Commuter accounts
Dependent care accounts
Regionally tailored benefits for full-time employees outside the U.S.