At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team of BDRs to drive growth and pipeline success.
- Company: Join Kernel, a fast-growing startup revolutionising business identity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity, generous holiday, and work-from-anywhere options.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to shape the future of enterprise AI.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of innovation in a high-autonomy environment.
- Qualifications: 4+ years in business development with team management experience.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 £ per year.
About Kernel
Agents are starting to sell, buy and operate on behalf of companies.
But before an agent can close a deal, qualify an account, route a lead or assess risk, it has to answer a basic question: which company is this?
Today, that answer is messy, and no one answers it reliably.
Business identity lives across CRMs, ERPs and third-party datasets full of duplicates, missing parent companies, stale addresses and incorrect enrichment.
The cost shows up across the enterprise: sales teams miss revenue opportunities because they lack the right account context; operations teams take on avoidable exposure because risk signals are fragmented or wrong; and finance teams end up chasing, writing off, or defaulting on bad debt that should have been caught earlier.
Humans have worked around that mess for years. Agents cannot. They need a reliable business identity layer they can trust.
Kernel is building that layer: the business registry for agents.
We issue a permanent KERN ID for every business, plus the context an agent needs to act on it.
Ops, data and revenue teams at
Gong, Legora, Mistral, Canva and Checkout already use Kernel on their own systems. Agents are next, and there will be far more of them.
We have raised $14M from top VCs and operators at Plaid, Open AI, Slack and others, and we are growing 5x Yo Y.
The Role
- We have strong product market fit.
In 2025 we grew ~5x with world class net dollar retention, mostly from founder-led sales, and now have AEs hitting quota with an emerging playbook.
- We're looking for a BDR Manager to accelerate our outbound engine as we scale in 2026. You'll own a team of ~12 BDRs and be responsible for the pipeline that fuels our growth.
- You will report to Dave Bentham (Head of Sales) and work closely with our AEs, marketing, and leadership team to make sure the top of funnel is consistently feeding high-quality pipeline.
- What You’ll Be Doing
- Set the strategy
- Work with Dave and the rest of leadership to define ICP, targeting, and outbound messaging.
- Translate company targets into clear, measurable BDR goals and ensure pipeline expectations are distributed strategically across the team.
- Continuously iterate on outbound plays, channels, and sequences to improve conversion at every stage.
- Develop the BDR team to be a talent pool for the rest of the organisation through a culture of constant learning
- Set the team
- Manage and develop a team of ~12 BDRs across inbound and outbound.
- Work alongside our recruiters to grow the team as we scale.
- Be accountable for team performance. Coach underperformers, promote top performers, and set a high bar across the board.
- Our BDR team is the talent engine for the entire GTM team. Nurturing the best people and helping them be ready for the next role is crucial.
- Set the operating cadence
- Define qualification criteria and handoff processes that set AEs up to close.
- Build repeatable outbound plays that convert, and partner with marketing where needed.
- Establish pipeline generation rigor: activity metrics, and predictive output.
- Run weekly team reviews, call coaching sessions, and continuous improvement loops.
What You Bring
- 4+ years in business development and/or outbound sales, with at least some time managing a BDR or SDR team.
- Experience scaling a BDR team (e. g. growing from a handful of reps to 10+) or managing a team of that size.
- Strong instincts for messaging, targeting, and what makes outbound actually work.
- Comfort operating in ambiguity: you can build process, playbooks, and territory strategy.
- Bonus: the deeper your knowledge of Rev Ops, data, and GTM tools the better.
This role may not be for you if you
- Need lots of structure or polished specs.
- You like spending weeks agonizing on a single initiative, or don’t want to rapidly iterate and run experiments.
- Require detailed instructions.
This role is definitely not for you if you
- Prefer remote or hybrid work (requires 4+ days in London office) and/or can’t travel to clients (US+Europe)
- Don’t enjoy the pace of an early-stage startup.
- Want to carry your own deals instead of building and coaching a team.
What We Offer
We will do our best to offer you the ride of a lifetime. It will not be easy, but it will be thrilling.
- Salary: £80-120k OTE + equity
- 24 days holiday per year + bank holidays
- £450 Monthly Office Dinner Allowance
- 2 weeks work-from-anywhere
- Generous parental leave policy
- Pension plan
- Top-spec equipment and central London office
- Team events and dinners
- Work directly with the founders to scale the systems that power enterprise AI
- High-autonomy, high-trust environment with a small team shipping at pace
- Visas & Relocation
We can sponsor visas or offer relocation for exceptional candidates.
- Interview Process
- Stage 1
Intro call with Talent Lead, De-Vene (40min).
Stage 2
Hiring Manager screen with Head of Sales, Dave (30min).
Stage 3
Case study and time on site with Dave & team (1hour).
Final Stage
Founders interview with CEO, Anders (45min).
If there is mutual fit, we move to references and offer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
BDR Manager employer: Kernel Company
Kernel is an exceptional employer that thrives on innovation and collaboration, offering a dynamic work culture where employees are empowered to take ownership of their projects. With a focus on personal and professional growth, the company provides ample opportunities for learning and development, alongside competitive benefits such as equity, generous holiday allowances, and a supportive environment that values autonomy. Located in the heart of London, employees enjoy a vibrant city life while working closely with founders to shape the future of enterprise AI.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land BDR Manager
✨Leverage Your Network
In sales and business development, who you know can often be as important as what you know. Get involved with local networking events or industry meetups to connect with key players. Don't be shy—share your passion for the field and let folks know you're on the lookout for opportunities!
✨Show Your Skills Through Real-World Results
When targeting a full-time role like BDR Manager at Kernel Company, presenting tangible results from your previous sales experience can set you apart. Bring along case studies or examples of how you've closed deals or expanded accounts, and don't forget to showcase your problem-solving prowess. It’s all about quantifying your success!
✨Engage with Sales Communities
Dive deep into online sales communities, like Sales Hacker or LinkedIn groups dedicated to sales professionals. Engaging in discussions and sharing insights can boost your visibility and might just put you on the radar of hiring managers looking for fresh talent in business development.
✨Direct Applications Matter
While we all know the online application route, consider sending direct applications to companies you admire, including Kernel Company. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a BDR Manager. Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!
We think you need these skills to ace BDR Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Those Sales Skills:In your CV and cover letter, highlight any previous sales or business development experience you have. Use numbers and examples to showcase your achievements – did you exceed sales targets or bring in new clients? Make those accomplishments shine!
Tailor Your Message for Kernel Company:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for Kernel Company. Show that you know the company’s mission and how your skills align with their goals in the sales landscape. This personalised touch will grab their attention!
Keep It Professional Yet Engaging:Sales is all about relationships, so while you want to maintain professionalism in your application, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Engage the reader and demonstrate your enthusiastic approach to sales and business development!
Proof of Performance:Include any relevant certifications or training you’ve undertaken in sales or negotiation tactics. If you’ve attended workshops or courses, list these to showcase your commitment to professional development. This extra touch can set you apart from the competition!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kernel Company
✨Know Your Sales Methodologies
Brush up on popular sales methodologies like SPIN Selling or Challenger Sales. Being able to discuss these techniques and how you've applied them will show Kernel Company that you understand the role and can hit the ground running in the sales game.
✨Demonstrate Your Deal-Making Skills
Prepare to share stories from your past experiences where you closed deals, overcame objections, or started new client relationships. We want to show Kernel Company that you’re not just about numbers but also about building lasting connections in business development.
✨Prepare for Role-Play Scenarios
In a full-time sales interview, don’t be surprised if they throw in a role-play exercise to test your pitching skills. Practising how you would pitch a product or handle an objection will help us shine in this simulation—think of it like a dress rehearsal for your future sales calls!
✨Align Your Goals with the Company’s Vision
Take a moment to reflect on how your career ambitions align with Kernel Company’s objectives. When we articulate how our personal growth ties in with the company’s goals, it shows commitment and a genuine interest in contributing to their success.
