Sales Development Representative

We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven individual with a strong sales acumen and technical aptitude to join our team as a Sales Development Representative (SDR) focused on Lead Nurturing. In this role, you will be at the forefront of our sales efforts, responsible for driving revenue growth by identifying, qualifying, nurturing, and selling to high-quality leads that feed directly into our sales pipeline.

As an SDR, your primary focus will be on generating, nurturing, and converting leads into qualified sales opportunities. You will collaborate closely with our Sales and Marketing teams to execute targeted prospecting strategies, engage potential customers, and actively drive new business. This role is integral to accelerating our sales cycle and expanding our market share.

Key Responsibilities:

Identify, Nurture, and Qualify Leads: Proactively source, engage, and qualify inbound and outbound leads. Nurture these leads through personalized communication and strategic follow-up, with the goal of moving them through the sales funnel and closing deals. Outbound Prospecting and Selling: Execute high-volume outbound prospecting through cold calling, email campaigns, and social selling to generate new leads, uncover business opportunities, and close initial sales. Inbound Lead Qualification and Selling: Efficiently follow up on inbound inquiries and leads generated from marketing campaigns, events, and digital channels. Qualify and sell to these leads by demonstrating the value of our offerings and addressing their specific needs. Sales Target Achievement: Consistently achieve or exceed monthly targets for qualified opportunities and sales conversions, directly contributing to the overall sales goals of the organization. Research and Preparation: Conduct thorough research on target accounts to identify key decision-makers, pain points, and opportunities. Leverage this information to personalize your sales approach and increase the likelihood of closing. Sales Outreach and Closing: Engage in high-touch, personalized communication with prospects via phone, email, and other digital channels. Work to nurture these relationships, address objections, and close deals. Pipeline Management: Diligently log all sales activities and interactions in Salesforce.com, maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of lead status, progression, and sales outcomes. Product Presentation: Confidently present and sell the SF Chronicle’s Content Marketing Platform to potential clients, demonstrating its value and benefits in a compelling manner. Continuous Improvement: Build a deep understanding of the SF Chronicle’s Content Marketing Platform and continuously refine your sales techniques to enhance effectiveness, efficiency, and close rates. KPI Achievement: Meet and exceed aggressive KPIs related to outbound calls, emails, pitches, lead nurturing, and overall lead-to-sale conversion. Daily CRM Management: Utilize Salesforce.com and Gong to manage daily activities effectively, ensuring that each action contributes to driving customer acquisition

Qualifications:

Sales Expertise: 1 to 3 years of experience in a sales-oriented role, with a proven track record of meeting or exceeding targets, especially in lead nurturing and closing sales. Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field is preferred. Industry Knowledge: Basic understanding of online advertising processes, digital marketing technologies, and industry trends. Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage, nurture, influence, and close senior-level decision-makers. Tech-Savvy: Proficiency in Salesforce.com, Microsoft Office, and experience with lead generation tools like HubSpot, Seamless.ai, Outreach.io, and Leadfeeder is a plus. Driven and Competitive: Highly self-motivated, competitive, and driven to achieve sales success in a fast-paced, high-energy environment. Organizational Skills: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and sales opportunities.

What We Offer:

Work Flexibility: Ability to work from home with flexible scheduling options. Compensation: Competitive salary with performance-based incentives and 401K plan matching. Growth Opportunities: A clear path for career advancement within the sales organization, with continuous learning and professional development.

In accordance with applicable law, Hearst is required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role if hired in California. The reasonable estimate is between $50,000 and $55,000. Please note this information is specific to those hired in San Francisco. A final decision on the successful candidate’s starting salary will be based on a number of permissible, non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to skills and experience, training, certifications, and education.

About the San Francisco Chronicle & SFGATE: 

The Chronicle is world-class journalism, San Francisco style. With name-brand voices and a keen editorial eye, The Chronicle is an authority that still surprises. It’s not afraid of being controversial or of doing things that haven’t been done. It’s bolder, brighter, and fearless. It’s news that is delivered to the discerning reader through multiple platforms.

SFGATE provides a 360-degree view of San Francisco, wildly reflective of right now. Provocative, energetic, and unapologetic, the Gate is in constant conversation with the world's most eclectic city.

Join our world-class team!

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