Manager, Sales Development (startups & Commercial)

Anthropic Anthropic · AI Frontier · San Francisco, CA · Sales

Manager for a Sales Development team focused on generating pipeline for Anthropic's startup and commercial market segments. Responsibilities include building and scaling the BDR team, optimizing prospecting techniques, managing KPIs, and partnering with Account Executives. Requires experience managing BDR/SDR teams in high-growth SaaS or technology companies, with a focus on velocity-driven pipeline development.

What you'd actually do

  1. Build, lead, and scale a team of 8-12 BDRs focused on Startup and Commercial segments
  2. Drive high-velocity pipeline generation through optimized inbound lead management and targeted outbound campaigns
  3. Establish and track KPIs focused on speed-to-lead, conversion rates, and volume metrics
  4. Partner with Startup and Commercial AEs to ensure tight alignment on ICP, qualification criteria, and handoff processes
  5. Create streamlined training programs focused on rapid qualification and high-volume prospecting techniques

Skills

Required

  • 2-4 years of experience managing BDR/SDR teams
  • Proven track record of building and scaling velocity-focused sales development teams
  • Experience managing teams prospecting into Startup or Commercial/SMB market segments
  • Strong analytical skills with experience using data to optimize team performance and conversion rates
  • Experience with Salesforce, HubSpot, Outreach/Salesloft, and sales analytics tools
  • Demonstrated ability to build efficient, repeatable processes that scale with volume
  • Excellent communication and leadership skills with ability to motivate and develop talent

Nice to have

  • Experience in API-first, consumption-based, or usage-based business models
  • Experience at companies with PLG (product-led growth) or developer-focused go-to-market motions
  • Experience selling an API product
  • Background managing teams that handle high amount of leads per day per rep
  • Track record of BDRs successfully transitioning to AE roles under your leadership
  • Experience building BDR functions in early-stage or Series B-D companies
  • Familiarity with AI/ML industry and technical product positioning

What the JD emphasized

  • high-velocity BDR team
  • rapid lead qualification
  • high-volume outbound prospecting
  • velocity-driven pipeline development
  • high-velocity pipeline generation
  • high-volume prospecting techniques
  • scale with volume
  • high amount of leads per day per rep