Strategic Business Development Manager

PolyAI

About The Position

PolyAI automates customer service through lifelike voice assistants that let customers lead a conversation. Our voice assistants make it possible for businesses to deliver outstanding customer service that rivals their human agents. Our customers, which include the world’s leading logos, are expanding how they use our platform, driving automation of critical customer service operations and integrating PolyAI into their daily customer service workflows. PolyAI is searching for a Strategic Business Development Manager to lead and scale our BDR function, reporting into our GTM leadership team. In this role, you will drive pipeline generation by coaching and developing a high-performing BDR team, refining prospecting and qualification strategies, and partnering closely with Sales and Marketing to improve conversion across the funnel. We’re looking for a player-coach who brings both strategic thinking and hands-on leadership — someone who can mentor and motivate a team while also building processes, messaging, and programs that generate consistent, high-quality pipeline. You’ll play a key role in shaping how we engage target accounts, improve opportunity management, and scale a repeatable outbound and inbound motion. This role requires a strong track record of leading BDR teams in a fast-paced SaaS environment, a data-driven approach to performance management and forecasting, and the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders, paired with an entrepreneurial mindset and strong communication skills.

Requirements

Minimum 5-7 years of experience in a BDR management role with experience leading and growing a BDR team in a hands-on management/player-coach capacity.
Track record of achieving lead generation quotas within a company selling enterprise B2B software (SaaS) and/or technology solutions.
Hands-on experience with multiple prospecting techniques and channels.
Experience with marketing & sales tools such as CRM, Chat, Marketing Automation, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, HubSpot and Data Management and list building tools.
Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to deliver presentations to executive management.
Gravitas combined with exceptional and polished written and oral communication skills
Entrepreneurial spirit combined with a scrappy, competitive, and optimistic outlook

Responsibilities

Train other members of the BDR Team to identify, contact, and create qualified opportunities
Ensure BDR Team members improve performance and abilities over time by providing coaching and feedback in recurring weekly 1:1s
Plan for hiring and onboarding new BDRs
Work closely with the Demand Gen team to provide feedback on MQLs and campaigns
Work closely with Sales and other members of the Leadership team to improve opportunity management and qualification processes
Work closely with Sales and Marketing to identify areas of improvement for the BDR Teams
Work in collaboration with marketing content, program managers, product marketing, and sales directors to develop effective messaging to convert both inbound interest and outbound outreach into qualified pipeline
Present accurate and timely performance reports and forecasts of weekly, monthly, quarterly attainment
Monitor and manage BDR team performance and make recommendations for improvement
Oversee BDR compensation programs and policy

Benefits

💰 Participation in the company’s employee share options plan
🏥 100% of Single Cost (employee) and 70% of Dependent for medical, dental & vision
👪 Life Insurance
◻️ STD and LTD
💰 The opportunity to contribute to the company's 401k plan
🏝 Flexible PTO policy + 11 designated company holidays
📚 Annual learning and development allowance
🏡 We’re all about making WFH work for you - that’s why we offer a one-off WFH allowance when you join. Offering perks like noise-cancelling headphones or a comfortable desk chair to boost your comfort and focus!
🧡 Enhanced parental leave
👨‍👩‍👧 Company-funded fertility and family-forming programmes
🌸 Menopause care programme with Maven