[Hiring] Strategic Business Development Manager @PolyAI

Role Description

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.

In this role your responsibilities will include:

• 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

Qualifications

• 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.

Requirements

• Gravitas combined with exceptional and polished written and oral communication skills
• Entrepreneurial spirit combined with a scrappy, competitive, and optimistic outlook

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