Sales Development Manager, Data Licensing

Springer Nature•New York, NY

10d•$80,000 - $90,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Springer Nature is seeking an ambitious, commercially minded Sales Development Manager to help scale its emerging data licensing business. The role combines business development, sales strategy, and market intelligence to support AI-focused products and licensing programs, including internal Generative AI rights, Text & Data Mining (TDM), and ARC3 R&D solutions. Key markets include biotech, pharmaceutical, and engineering organizations. Working with sales representatives, Marketing, product teams, and Corporate Sales stakeholders, the role identifies new opportunities, generates qualified pipeline, helps define AI-enabled prospecting approaches, and creates scalable workflows for engaging customers exploring AI-driven research and innovation. The position is based in the New York or London office under a hybrid working model. The role drives pipeline development, gathers customer and market insights, and contributes to AI-focused go-to-market and prospecting innovation. It also supports development of ideal customer profiles, target account lists, market segmentation, prospecting frameworks, and commercial reporting. The position requires collaboration across functions and an adaptable, customer-focused approach in a rapidly evolving market.

Requirements

Experience in sales development, business development, growth marketing, AI/data solutions, SaaS, licensing, or a related commercial role, with a track record of generating pipeline and identifying new business opportunities.
Ability to conduct consultative discovery conversations, understand customer needs, and communicate the value of data, AI, or research-focused solutions.
Understanding of modern prospecting approaches, account-based engagement, and customer qualification methodologies.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to use customer insights and market intelligence to inform commercial activity.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly to a range of stakeholders.
Experience collaborating effectively across sales, marketing, product, and other cross-functional teams.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and experience managing activities through CRM and related sales tools.
Proactive, resilient, and adaptable approach, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
Basic knowledge of commonly used enterprise AI tools and concepts, and generally how AI is applied across research and/or business workflows to optimize business outcomes.

Nice To Haves

Experience using AI-powered tools for prospecting, research, lead qualification, or sales productivity.
Experience conducting basic-level market research or feedback, competitive analysis, or customer segmentation.
Familiarity with data licensing, text and data mining (TDM), research data solutions, or related commercial models.
Exposure to scientific, healthcare, pharmaceutical, biotech, research, publishing, or knowledge-based industries.

Responsibilities

Drive top-of-funnel growth for AI licensing initiatives across Internal GenAI, TDM, and ARC3.
Build and execute inbound and outbound prospecting motions targeting organizations pursuing AI-enabled R&D initiatives.
Field inbound leads, conduct discovery conversations, and identify AI use cases, licensing needs, and buying priorities.
Pass viable leads to sales representatives to support pipeline generation, opportunity development, and account prioritization.
Support conference prospecting, event follow-up, and strategic outreach campaigns; build networks across target industries and customer segments.
Maintain accurate CRM records of lead follow-up and outreach to support reporting, forecasting, and commercial visibility.
Develop and test approaches for scaling AI-focused business development across Europe and North America.
Gather and synthesize customer feedback from prospect and customer interactions.
Monitor AI market developments, competitor offerings, licensing trends, and emerging use cases; generate actionable market intelligence.
Identify customer-demand patterns that may influence product strategy, positioning, commercial models, and go-to-market effectiveness.
Produce occasional insight reports for sales leadership, product management, and other stakeholders.
Support development of Ideal Customer Profiles, target account lists, and market segmentation strategies.
Champion AI-enabled commercial processes and experimentation internally.
Partner with Marketing on AI-focused campaigns and nurture programs.
Pilot AI-driven prospecting tools, workflows, and automation techniques, and help select appropriate tools.
Support development of prospecting frameworks, outreach sequences, qualification frameworks, and reporting templates.
Contribute to cross-functional initiatives that improve customer discovery, lead management, and pipeline visibility.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
401(k) with company match and contribution.
Hybrid office working policy, Summer Hours, and paid time off.
Flexible Spending and Commuter programs.
Multiple life insurance options.
Disability coverage.
Tuition Assistance.
Voluntary benefits including Identity Theft Protection, Pet Insurance, and Legal Assistance Insurance.
Employee Assistance Program.
Family-friendly benefits and a variety of employee discounts.
Employee Social Networks.
Eligible for an annual sales bonus plan.