The Director for SMB Lead Generation and Sales will be a key leadership role at Akool, responsible for designing, executing, and optimizing our full sales pipeline for SMB customers. This role requires a strategic, results-driven professional with expertise in both B2B sales and lead generation processes, particularly within the small-to-medium business segment. The ideal candidate will build and manage a robust sales pipeline, from lead generation through to closing, and work cross-functionally with marketing, customer success, and product teams to ensure the successful conversion and retention of SMB clients.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead Generation Strategy:
Develop and execute a comprehensive SMB lead generation strategy to drive new customer acquisition.
Utilize a mix of inbound and outbound marketing techniques to generate high-quality leads (e.g., digital marketing, cold outreach, partnerships, events, content marketing, etc.).
Leverage Akool's cutting-edge AI video technology to craft compelling sales narratives and campaigns that resonate with SMB decision-makers.
Sales Pipeline Management:
Own the full sales cycle from lead qualification to closing, ensuring an efficient, data-driven approach to every stage.
Work closely with marketing to align on lead generation initiatives and ensure a seamless handoff of qualified leads to the sales team.
Identify opportunities for process improvements and implement strategies that accelerate the sales cycle and maximize conversion rates.
Customer Acquisition and Retention:
Drive revenue growth by acquiring new SMB customers and expanding relationships within the existing customer base.
Work with the customer success team to ensure customer satisfaction, product adoption, and retention within the SMB segment.
Regularly engage with prospects to understand their needs and pain points, and effectively demonstrate how Akool's AI video solutions meet those needs.
Team Leadership and Development:
Build and lead a high-performing SMB sales team, providing guidance, coaching, and support to team members.
Create a positive, results-oriented sales culture, fostering a team spirit of accountability and continuous improvement.
Develop and maintain training programs for the sales team to ensure they are equipped with the latest tools, knowledge, and sales techniques.
Sales Forecasting & Reporting:
Develop and maintain accurate sales forecasts, reports, and dashboards that provide insight into pipeline health, performance, and progress against targets.
Present sales performance metrics to senior leadership and collaborate to adjust strategies as needed to meet company goals.
Market Intelligence & Competitive Analysis:
Stay up-to-date on industry trends, emerging technologies, and the competitive landscape in the generative AI and video production space.
Provide feedback to product and marketing teams based on customer insights, market trends, and competitor analysis to help refine Akool's offerings and messaging.
Qualifications:
Experience:
7+ years of experience in B2B sales, with a proven track record of success in generating leads, managing sales pipelines, and closing deals in the SMB market.
Experience in SaaS, AI technologies, or video production industries is highly desirable.
Strong understanding of the SMB sales process, including lead generation, qualification, nurturing, and closing.
Skills & Expertise:
Demonstrated ability to build and execute comprehensive lead generation and sales strategies.
Strong leadership and team management skills, with experience in building, mentoring, and scaling high-performing sales teams.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage and persuade both internal teams and external prospects.
Proficiency with CRM system Hubspot and sales tools (e.g., LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Outreach, Apollo, etc.) to manage the pipeline and track performance.
Analytical mindset with the ability to track and measure key performance metrics and adjust strategies to optimize results.
Personal Attributes:
Entrepreneurial and self-motivated with a high level of drive and determination to achieve and exceed sales targets.
Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate complex sales cycles and build trust with customers.
Passion for generative AI technology and how it can transform business operations and marketing efforts.