Founding BDR (SDR-to-AE Track)

San Francisco on site Until 10/1/2026 1+ years exp First posted August 2, 2026 Last posted August 2, 2026
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

About this role

Summary

Drive new business, qualify prospects, and grow into a closing AE role at a startup.

Job title

Founding BDR (SDR-to-AE Track)

Experience level

1-5 years

Minimum experience

1+ years exp

Industry

software

Location requirements

On-site in San Francisco, no remote work allowed

Salary

$110k–$140k

Management role

No

Skills & keywords

Required skills

cold outbound prospectingcrm (salesforce)pipeline hygieneconsultative selling

Preferred skills

started a companyelite distinctionfast-paced environment

Specializations

outbound prospectingCRMpipeline managementconsultative selling
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

San Francisco, CA, USA

On-site City