Planet Labs

Director, Sales Development

Planet Labs$173K — $216K *
Business Services
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years in Sales Development or related commercial roles in B2B SaaS
  • 6+ years of leadership experience managing teams
  • Proven ability to scale global Sales Development teams
  • Experience balancing strategy and execution in outbound sales
  • Success in navigating enterprise sales cycles and account-based motions
  • Strong analytical skills for data-driven decision making
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities

Responsibilities

  • Define and execute global Sales Development strategy to ensure predictable pipeline
  • Design innovative outbound and account-based strategies for market penetration
  • Lead and coach SDRs while developing pathways into other roles
  • Collaborate with Sales VPs and Marketing for efficient lead conversion
  • Develop standardized playbooks and enhance processes through automation
  • Translate corporate strategy into effective execution plans
  • Build a high-performing team culture focused on talent development

Benefits

  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution
  • Generous Paid Time Off and company-wide days off
  • 16 weeks of Paid Parental Leave
  • Wellness Program and Employee Assistance Program
  • Home Office and monthly phone/internet reimbursements
  • Tuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning
  • Equity participation
  • Commuter Benefits for local employees
  • Paid Time Off for volunteering opportunities
Full Job Description
About the Role:

We are hiring for a Director of Sales Development based in the United States to build, scale, and transform our global Sales Development organization into a world-class pipeline generation and talent development unit. In this role, you will own the overarching strategy, operating model, and execution of Sales Development globally, ensuring our team creates a predictable pipeline and drives revenue growth.

As a foundational leader of a high-growth business, you will manage a high-performing team of Strategic Sales Development Representatives while potentially overseeing SDR Managers as the organization scales. This role is a critical intersection of high-level strategy and relentless, outside-the-box execution - perfect for a leader who can build repeatable playbooks from scratch to penetrate new markets, maximize existing territories, and navigate multiple complex regions. We are looking for future Planeteers who are passionate about our mission, leadership, sales, and technology.

This is a full-time, hybrid role which will require you to work from our San Francisco office 3 days per week.

Impact You'll Own:
  • Define and execute the global Sales Development strategy to create a predictable pipeline and drive worldwide revenue growth.
  • Design "outside-the-box" outbound and account-based motions to penetrate new verticals, existing markets, and complex regions across NAM, EMEA and LATAM
  • Lead, coach, and scale a global team of SDRs and managers, building clear career paths into AE, Customer Success, or Operations roles.
  • Act as a critical partner to Sales VPs, Marketing, and Sales Operations to maximize campaign conversion and lead handoff efficiency.
  • Build and standardize comprehensive playbooks, scaling processes through automation, data-driven decisions, and tech stack optimization.
  • Translate high-level corporate strategy into clear execution plans, directly impacting Planet's topline commercial performance.

What You Bring:
  • 8+ years of relevant work experience in Sales Development, Inside Sales, Sales Leadership, or related commercial roles in a B2B SaaS environment.
  • 6+ years of supervisory/leadership experience.
  • Proven leadership experience building, scaling, and managing global Sales Development teams
  • A track record of balancing high-level organizational strategy with a granular, execution-focused understanding of modern outbound tactics.
  • Demonstrated success navigating enterprise sales cycles, executing account-based motions, and understanding multiple distinct regional or vertical markets.
  • Demonstrated analytical skills with the ability to use data to drive decisions, track KPIs, and build scalable operating models from ambiguity.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with a demonstrated ability to lead change and influence across functions (Marketing, Operations, Product, and Sales).

What Makes You Stand Out:
  • Domain expertise in GEOINT, satellite imaging, remote imaging, or deep tech spaces.
  • Previous leadership or market expansion experience within key verticals: aerospace, agriculture, energy, state and local governments, or federal/defense sectors.
  • Deep understanding and experience implementing methodology frameworks such as MEDDPICC, Challenger Sales, and/or the Science of Sales Development at an organizational level.
  • Advanced expertise in optimizing and managing a modern sales tech stack (e.g., Salesforce, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, ZoomInfo, Gong, and email automation tools).
  • Experience managing SDR Managers/Team Leads.

Application Deadline:

October 13, 2026 at 11:59p PT

Benefits While Working at Planet:

These offerings are dependent on employment type and geographical location, based upon applicable law or company policy.
  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) with a company contribution
  • Generous Paid Time Off in addition to holidays and company-wide days off
  • 16 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave
  • Wellness Program and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Home Office Reimbursement
  • Monthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement
  • Tuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning
  • Equity
  • Commuter Benefits (if local to an office)
  • Volunteering Paid Time Off

Compensation:

The US base salary range for this full-time position at the commencement of employment is listed below. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary short-term and long-term incentives (bonus and equity). The final salary range is determined by job related experience, skills and location. The range displays our typical hiring range for new hire salaries in US locations only. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

San Francisco Salary Range

$173,520-$216,880 USD

San Francisco Fair Chance OrdinancePursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

About Planet Labs

Planet Labs is an aerospace and defense company that designs and manufactures small satellites for Earth observation. The company offers services such as satellite imagery, data analysis, and geospatial insights. Planet Labs was founded in 2010 and is based in San Francisco, CA.
Learn more about Planet Labs
Size
500 employees
Industry
Founded
2010

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