Founding BDR (SDR-to-AE Track)
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