Now Hiring - AwardSpring - Sales Manager in Chicago, IL

Full description of the position

About AwardSpring AwardSpring is a growing SaaS company that helps colleges, universities, and foundations simplify and streamline the scholarship management process. Our platform empowers institutions to connect donor funds to the students who need them -- broadening access to educational opportunities while saving administrators time and effort. With recent investment and the launch of a new product line, we're entering an exciting growth phase and expanding our Sales organization to accelerate revenue and market impact. About the Role We're seeking a Sales Manager to lead, develop, and coach a team of high- performing Account Executives and Sales Development Representatives. This is a frontline leadership role focused entirely on driving team performance and scaling success. The Sales Manager will work closely with the VP of Sales and cross-functional partners to execute our GTM strategy, improve process efficiency, and build a culture of collaboration, accountability, and excellence. Responsibilities * Lead and coach a team of 6-8 sales professionals (mix of AEs and SDRs). * Drive revenue through pipeline generation, deal creation, conversion rates, win rates, and overall quota attainment. * Provide ongoing coaching in outbound prospecting, discovery, objection handling, demos/presentations, deal strategy, and forecasting. * Partner with cross-functional teams (Marketing, Product, Customer Success) to strengthen sales enablement and optimize our GTM execution. * Actively participate in hiring, onboarding, training, and performance management of sales reps. * Promote a culture of ownership, accountability, and innovation within the team. Qualifications * 1 -2+ years of experience leading a sales team or serving in a team lead/senior AE capacity. * Proven track record of driving sales performance with an outbound, self-sourced pipeline motion. * Experience selling into SaaS or EdTech environments preferred. * Strong grasp of MEDDPICC or similar qualification methodologies. * Excellent communication and leadership skills -- able to balance empathy, accountability, and strategic insight. * Highly collaborative with a passion for coaching and continuous improvement. Compensation * Base Salary: $110,000-$120,000 * Variable Compensation Target: $60,000 * On Target Earnings: $170,000-$180,000 * Employee Equity Grant * Commissions/Bonus opportunities are uncapped, with accelerators in place for high performers Our Culture and Values At AwardSpring, we live our values every day: * Action: Take initiative, be accountable, and share your knowledge. * Determination: Simplify and improve processes, overcoming obstacles with creativity and persistence. * Humanity: Show empathy and kindness in every interaction. * Improvement: Strive to grow daily and add value to clients and teammates. We're a high-growth, high-collaboration sales organization that values creative problem-solving, open communication, and a willingness to roll up your sleeves. As a Sales Manager, you'll be both a coach and a player -- guiding your team while staying close to the action. Why Join AwardSpring * Opportunity to shape the future of a rapidly growing SaaS company. * Collaborate with passionate, mission-driven professionals. * Competitive compensation and growth potential. * A culture that encourages ownership, creativity, and ongoing learning. Equal Opportunity Statement AwardSpring is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We celebrate diversity and foster a welcoming environment for all team members.