Founding BDR (SDR-to-AE Track)

Clera

$110K — $140K *
Finance & Insurance
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 1-5 years as a top-performing SDR/BDR or AE at a startup or finance.
  • Proven track record of exceeding quotas and rapid promotions.
  • Experience with cold outbound prospecting to secure quality opportunities.
  • Consultative selling expertise to qualify prospects and advance the sales pipeline.
  • Proficient with CRM tools, maintaining pipeline hygiene.
  • Desire to transition from BDR to a closing AE role.
  • Eligible to work in the U.S. without visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

  • Source new sales opportunities via inbound qualification and outbound prospecting.
  • Qualify prospects through consultative, value-driven approaches.
  • Expand the top-of-funnel using both warm and cold outbound campaigns.
  • Experiment with and refine marketing and sales strategies.
  • Ensure CRM data is accurate and maintain pipeline hygiene.
  • Collaborate daily with the founding team to shape sales strategy.
  • Progress into a closing AE role as the organization scales.

Benefits

  • Early equity opportunity by joining before a Series A fundraising.
  • Clear pathway to advance from BDR to closing AE level.
  • Performance-based commission structure to enhance earning potential.
  • Collaboration with founding team in a dynamic startup environment.
Full Job Description
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

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