Founding BDR (SDR-to-AE Track)

About this role

ABOUT THE ROLE

A fast-growing, pre-seed AI-powered HR tech startup is hiring a hungry Founding BDR to drive new business as an early sales hire. This is a clear SDR-to-AE track role — you'll start by building and owning the outbound engine, then graduate into closing deals as you prove yourself.

You'll focus on mid-market and enterprise pipeline while helping craft the sales playbook alongside a 10-person team. The company is looking for people who combine a willingness to grind with creative, high-clockspeed thinking — someone who can implement time-saving structure, iterate fast, and generate new ideas that accelerate growth.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

- Source new sales opportunities through inbound lead qualification and outbound prospecting

- Qualify prospects through consultative, value-driven selling

- Grow top-of-funnel via warm and cold outbound campaigns

- Test and iterate on experimental marketing and go-to-market motions

- Maintain accurate CRM data and pipeline hygiene

- Work directly with the founding team daily to shape the sales motion and strategy

- Progress into a closing Account Executive role as the sales org scales

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Required:

- 1–5 years of experience as a top-performing SDR/BDR and/or AE at a high-velocity startup or in finance

- Demonstrated track record of beating quota, rapid promotions, and consistently strong sales performance

- Proven success with cold outbound prospecting — you've cold-outbounded your way into at least one high-quality opportunity

- Experience qualifying prospects through consultative selling and advancing pipeline toward close

- Proficiency with CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce or similar) and strong pipeline hygiene habits

- Eager and able to grow from a BDR role into a full closing AE position

- Must be eligible to work in the United States without visa sponsorship

Nice to Have:

- Have done something most people haven't — started a company, won a major competition, achieved an elite distinction in any field

- Thrives in a fast-paced, early-stage startup environment with high expectations and low bureaucracy

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

- Base salary: $110,000 – $140,000 annually

- Commission and performance-based upside

- Early equity — joining before a Series A fundraise

- Clear, fast-tracked path from BDR to closing AE

LOCATION

- On-site in San Francisco, CA

- No visa sponsorship available