At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a high-performing team in EMEA Account Development.
- Company: Join Kong, the AI Connectivity Company, shaping the future of tech.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work, competitive pay, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team in a fast-paced scale-up environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the growth journey towards IPO.
- Qualifications: 5 years of management experience in tech or SaaS environments.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Reports to: Director of Sales Development
The Role
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.
About Kong
Kong Inc., a leading developer of API and AI connectivity technologies, is building the infrastructure that powers the agentic era. 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 employer: Kong
Kong is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic hybrid work environment in the heart of London, where collaboration meets flexibility. As a leader in AI connectivity, we provide our employees with competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and ample opportunities for career advancement within a high-performing, supportive culture that values integrity and purpose. Join us to shape the future of technology while being part of a team that drives meaningful growth and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manager, EMEA Account Development
✨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. The more comfortable you are with your responses, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine in front of the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Manager, EMEA Account Development
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how excited you are about leading a team and driving growth in the EMEA region. Share your vision and what makes you a great fit for our culture.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in managing SDR, ADR, or BDR teams. We’re looking for specific examples of your success in building high-performance teams, so don’t hold back on those achievements!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you’re the perfect match for this role. Use it to connect your past experiences with what we’re looking for in an ADR Leader. Be genuine and let your personality come through!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us that you’re proactive and ready to take the next step in your career with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kong
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Kong's mission and values. Understand their products, especially how they relate to API and AI connectivity. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Show Leadership Skills
As a potential ADR Manager, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership style. Prepare examples of how you've built high-performing teams in the past. Discuss specific strategies you've used for coaching and enabling team members to reach their full potential.
✨Be Data-Driven
Kong values data-driven decision-making. Be ready to discuss how you've tracked KPIs and used data to drive performance improvements in your previous roles. Bring examples of forecasts you've created that were trusted and delivered results.
✨Cultural Fit Matters
Kong is looking for someone who embodies integrity, energy, and purpose. During the interview, share stories that reflect these qualities. Show how you can build a supportive and motivating culture within your team, aligning with their vision of a high-performing yet human-centric environment.
