Sales Development Manager

About Engine

Engine is the AI-native platform for intelligent travel. For a decade, Engine has built the proprietary technology and supply behind modern business travel, serving over 40,000 customers and nearly 2 million travelers, along with leading travel and AI companies that build on Engine's infrastructure. One system powers business travel, group travel, human agents, and AI agents.

That work has earned recognition as one of Fast Company's Best Workplaces for Innovators (2025), TravelTech's Reservation Platform of the Year (2026), and one of Built In's Best Places to Work (2020–2026).

We're looking for bold, ambitious people to help redefine how businesses manage and experience travel. Working here, you can expect exponential growth, an ambitious pace, full ownership, and high-caliber colleagues who push you to do the best work of your career. Every hire raises the bar.

Come outpace the ordinary and build the future of travel with us.

We believe that people don’t just want to work for a company—they want to be part of something bigger. At Engine, we’re building more than a team; we’re building a movement. One where individuality is celebrated, where challenge fuels growth, and where the status quo is never enough. We know we’re not for everyone, and that’s okay. But if you thrive in a fast-moving, high-impact environment and want to shape the future of travel, you just might belong here. Curious? Check out our DNA—if it resonates with you, let’s chat!

We’re looking for a passionate, team-first Sales Development Manager to lead, coach, and inspire our growing Sales Development Representative team. This person will be instrumental in shaping early sales talent, guiding them toward successful careers as Account Executives, and driving the performance of our outbound sales efforts.

Note: this role will require you to work out of our Chicago office Monday-Thursday.

Your Mission:

• Coach & Develop: Provide daily hands-on coaching to entry-level SDRs with a focus on cold calling skills, objection handling, prospecting strategies, and professional development.
• Talent Growth: Foster a career path for SDRs with clear milestones, and champion internal promotions into Account Executive roles.
• Inspire & Motivate: Create an environment of energy and positivity; be a consistent source of motivation for a team doing the hard work of outbound prospecting every day.
• Lead by Example: Roll up your sleeves and demonstrate what great looks like — whether that’s jumping into call reviews, strategizing outreach sequences, or role-playing tough conversations.
• Performance Management: Set clear goals, track KPIs (e.g., meetings booked, pipeline influenced), and implement systems to ensure accountability and continuous improvement.
• Culture Builder: Embody a "Together We Thrive" ethos by putting the team’s success ahead of personal recognition and celebrating wins—big and small.
• Recruit & Onboard: Hire and onboard SDRs who match our culture and growth mindset. Be a champion of diverse and inclusive hiring practices.

What You’ll Bring to Engine:

• 3–5+ years of sales experience, with 1–2+ years managing SDR or BDR teams
• Proven track record of promoting SDRs to quota-carrying roles and building scalable training and development frameworks
• Deep understanding of outbound sales methodologies (cold calling, social selling, cadence creation, etc.)
• High EQ and excellent communication skills — able to motivate, challenge, and support in equal measure
• Experience with sales tech stack (e.g., Salesforce, Outreach, Gong,)
• Collaborative, selfless leadership style that puts the team first and thrives on shared success
• Data-driven decision-maker who can analyze performance metrics and adjust strategies accordingly
• A passion for helping people grow into the best version of themselves

Applications for this role will be accepted through December 16, 2026 or until the role is filled. We encourage you to apply early, as we may begin reviewing applications before the deadline.

The Engine Edge: Perks & Compensation
We believe in rewarding great work with great benefits:

• Compensation: Competitive base pay tied to role and experience, with equity for all employees. Some roles are also eligible for bonuses or commissions.
• Benefits: Check out our full list at engine.com/culture 
• Environments for Success: Different roles have different needs in terms of the environments that drive success which is why we have a hybrid-hub model. Whether you are in one of our amazing offices or fully remote, we'll make sure you have what you need to succeed.

Perks and benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and more