At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a high-performing team in EMEA Account Development.
- Company: Join Kong, a leader in AI connectivity and API technologies.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, hybrid work, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team on the path to IPO.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI connectivity while driving team success.
- Qualifications: 5 years of management experience in tech or SaaS environments.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Are you ready to unlock intelligence? If you don’t think you meet all of the criteria below but are still interested in the job, please apply. Nobody checks every box - we’re looking for candidates that are particularly strong in a few areas, and have some interest and capabilities in others.
Reports to: Director of Sales Development
The Role: ADR Manager, Enterprise Sales Development - EMEA
We are looking for an ADR Leader to build and lead our EMEA Account Development Representative team from our central London office (walking distance from Bank Station and London Bridge). This hybrid role offers the best of both worlds: the energy of in-person collaboration 2–3 days a week, combined with the flexibility of remote work.
As ADR Leader, you won't just manage a team - you'll be entrusted with something bigger. Our EMEA SDR leadership team are the market makers and drivers of growth at Kong. We don't just build pipeline; we define the blueprint for ADR excellence, shaping the next generation of top sales talent and driving winning outcomes for the business. You'll show up with integrity, energy, and purpose and you'll build a team that does the same!
Kong is The AI Connectivity Company. Our platform sits at the center of how enterprises manage APIs, AI agents, and the infrastructure connecting them — and we're scaling fast. The ADR function is the front line of that growth. Accounts you open today are the expansion stories of tomorrow, and the team you build here will be a meaningful part of how Kong writes its next chapter on the path to IPO.
What You'll Do:
- Lead & Inspire: Build a culture that is high-performing and deeply human. ADRs on your team should be motivated, supported in their growth, and clear on what great looks like every day.
- Hire & Plan for Talent: Own the talent pipeline end-to-end. Align with Recruiting on headcount and profiles, anticipate gaps before they land, and source proactively.
- Ramp & Enable: Get new hires to productivity fast. Support the enablement team with running structured bootcamps, build individual development plans, and coach to certification. Every new hire should feel like they joined a team with a plan.
- Coach for Excellence: Deliver regular call reviews, structured 1-1s, and AE-readiness programs. Coach to Attitude, Process, and Results — and know which leg of the stool is wobbling before the rep does.
- Drive Pipeline: Own your team's contribution to EMEA pipeline targets with the forecasting discipline and visibility that Regional Directors can actually bet on.
- GTM Ecosystem Alignment: Partner closely with Regional Directors, Marketing, RevOps, Partners, and Enablement. You're not managing in a silo, you're a connector as much as your reps are.
- Data-Driven Leadership: Track KPIs, analyse team performance, and drive process improvements that maximise efficiency and results.
- Champion Tools & Process: Drive effective use of Salesforce, Outreach, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, and other prospecting tools across the team.
What We're Looking For:
- 5 years of management experience leading SDR, ADR, or BDR teams in a tech or SaaS environment.
- Proven success building and scaling high-performance outbound teams, particularly in an enterprise context.
- Strong background in coaching, enablement, and AE readiness. You think about career paths the same way you think about quota attainment, proactively.
- A clear point of view on what good enterprise outbound looks like, and the competence to build it.
- Experience at a playbook-driven, process-oriented organisation is highly valuable.
- Prior AE experience is a big plus.
- The ability to build accurate forecasts that people actually trust and deliver the number with enough visibility that there are no surprises.
- Versatility across people leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and pipeline management.
- Fluent in English; German and Arabic is highly beneficial but not required.
- Genuine drive to operate in a fast-paced, scale-up environment on the path to IPO.
- At or entering the Senior Manager stage of your ADR Leadership journey with the ability to run your business mostly independently.
Why Join Kong?
- Be part of the company defining the future of AI connectivity. APIs, agents, and the infrastructure connecting them all run through Kong.
- Shape and lead the ADR function in EMEA at a pivotal stage of growth, with real global influence on how the team scales toward IPO.
- Hybrid work from our central London office, walking distance from Bank Station and London Bridge.
- Competitive compensation, benefits, and paths for career growth into senior leadership as we scale.
- Join a leadership team that shows up with integrity, energy, and purpose.
Every day, we raise the bar of what great looks like. Ready to help set it? Apply now!
About Kong: Kong Inc., a leading developer of API and AI connectivity technologies, is building the infrastructure that powers the agentic era. Trusted by the Fortune 500 and startups alike, Kong's unified API and AI platform, Kong Konnect, enables organizations to secure, manage, accelerate, govern, and monetize the flow of intelligence across APIs and AI models. For more information, visit www.konghq.com.
Manager, EMEA Account Development in London employer: Kong
Kong is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation from its central London office. With a strong focus on employee growth, competitive compensation, and the opportunity to shape the future of AI connectivity, team members are empowered to thrive in a hybrid work environment that balances in-person engagement with remote flexibility. Join us to be part of a high-performing team that values integrity, energy, and purpose as we scale towards our IPO.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manager, EMEA Account Development in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their products and how they fit into the market. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online platforms. Focus on articulating your experiences and how they align with the role. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the position and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Manager, EMEA Account Development in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself:When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to show your passion for the role and what makes you unique.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the job description. We’re looking for candidates who can demonstrate their understanding of the role and how they can contribute to our team.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your successes! Use specific examples to illustrate how you've driven results in previous roles. We love seeing numbers and outcomes that reflect your impact.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kong
✨Know Your Numbers
As a potential ADR Manager, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to build accurate forecasts and manage pipeline effectively. Brush up on your metrics and be ready to discuss how you've successfully driven results in previous roles. Show them you can deliver numbers with confidence!
✨Showcase Your Coaching Skills
This role is all about leading and inspiring a team. Prepare examples of how you've coached teams to success in the past. Think about specific instances where your coaching made a difference, and be ready to share your approach to developing talent.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Kong values integrity, energy, and purpose. Research their culture and think about how your personal values align with theirs. Be prepared to discuss how you would foster a high-performing and human-centric environment within your team.
✨Be a Connector
Collaboration is key in this role. Think about how you’ve partnered with other departments in the past, like Marketing or RevOps. Be ready to share examples of how you’ve built relationships across teams to drive success and how you plan to do the same at Kong.