1-3 years as a Sales Development Representative or 1-2 years in full-cycle sales, preferably in SaaS or tech.
Bachelor's degree in a life science field or relevant experience in pharma/biotech sales.
Experience with product demos is advantageous.
Proven track record in prospecting and managing a sales cycle from start to finish.
Ability to influence decisions across scientific and business stakeholders.
Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
Self-motivated with a competitive drive to exceed targets.
Responsibilities
Own and generate your sales pipeline from day one.
Develop accurate sales forecasts to drive predictable outcomes.
Tailor presentations using Benchling's value framework to meet prospect needs.
Conduct discovery, build business cases, and close new business agreements.
Align Benchling's solutions with R&D goals across various personas.
Collaborate with Marketing, Product, and Customer Success for a seamless prospect experience.
Stay updated on industry trends and customer science to enhance your skills.
Apply structured sales methodologies to manage your pipeline effectively.
Benefits
Flexible hybrid work arrangement with in-office collaboration three days a week.
Investment in employee development and continuous learning opportunities.
Full Job Description
ROLE OVERVIEW
As an SMB Account Executive, you'll be responsible for driving new business within your territory - engaging small biotech and life sciences companies at the speed their science demands. You'll own the full sales cycle, from identifying and prospecting new accounts to closing deals. This is an ideal role for an early-career seller who's hungry to develop their craft, build pipeline from the ground up, and grow into a world-class enterprise seller.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Pipeline Generation: Own your pipeline from day one. Proactively identify and engage new business opportunities across your territory, connecting with multiple personas - from bench scientists to business stakeholders - using outbound outreach, events, and creative prospecting strategies.
Sales Forecasting: Develop and maintain accurate sales forecasts (+/- 10% of goal), using data to inform your decision-making and drive consistent, predictable outcomes.
Solution Selling: Learn and apply Benchling's value framework to tailor presentations and proposals to each prospect's unique scientific and business needs.
Full-Cycle Selling: Run discovery, build a compelling business case, engage multiple stakeholders, navigate the buying process, and close new business agreements.
Account Management: Work across scientific, technical, and business personas within each account to align Benchling's solutions with their R&D goals.
Collaboration: Partner with Marketing, Product, and Customer Success to ensure a seamless prospect experience and drive long-term customer satisfaction.
Continuous Learning: Stay curious about industry trends, the competitive landscape, and the science our customers are doing. We'll invest in your development - you bring the drive.
Process Excellence: Apply structured sales methodology (MEDDICC, Command of the Message, 3 Why's, Champion Building) to manage your pipeline with rigor. Keep Salesforce accurate and up to date.
QUALIFICATIONS
You are drawn to our mission and you want to help Benchling win new business. You're coachable, competitive, and ready to build real sales skills in a market that matters. You take ownership, stay curious, and show up as a teammate.
1-3 years of experience as a Sales Development Representative, or 1-2 years of full-cycle sales experience - ideally in a SaaS or technology environment
Life science background required - either a bachelor's degree in a life science discipline (e.g., molecular biology, biotechnology, biomedical engineering, biochemistry) or direct experience selling into pharma, biotech, or life science organizations
Experience running product demos is a plus
Demonstrated ability to prospect, build pipeline, and manage a sales cycle from open to close
Ability to build a business case and influence purchasing decisions across scientific and business personas
Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
Self-motivated with a competitive drive to meet and exceed targets
Comfortable working independently and as part of a collaborative team
Familiarity with MEDDICC or similar sales methodology is a plus
HOW WE WORK
We offer a flexible hybrid work arrangement that prioritizes in-office collaboration. Employees are expected to be on-site 3 days per week (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday).
#LI-Hybrid
#BI-Hybrid
About Benchling
Benchling is a cloud-based informatics platform that accelerates life sciences R&D by streamlining workflows and centralizing data. The platform offers a suite of applications for molecular biology, including DNA design, antibody design, CRISPR analysis, and protein expression. Benchling's customers include pharmaceutical companies, biotechs, and academic institutions. The company was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in South San Francisco, California.
