Sales Development Representative, Newsela
$80k
OTE
$55k
BASE
+ Eligible for variable compensation & Incentive stock options
Online platform for education content
Be an early applicant
Online platform for education content
201-500 employees
Be an early applicant
$80k
OTE
$55k
BASE
+ Eligible for variable compensation & Incentive stock options
201-500 employees
Company mission
To provide meaningful classroom learning for every student.
Role
Who you are
- The ideal SDR is intrinsically motivated, highly organized, intellectually curious, and thrives in a collaborative environment where preparation, continuous learning, and purposeful outreach drive results
- 3+ years in K-12 education (as a teacher, administrator, leader, or similar role) OR 1+ year of inside sales experience (K-12 EdTech inside sales experience highly preferred), with a proven track record of engaging prospects to secure qualified meetings
- Located in Pacific or Central Time zones preferred, or fully open and willing to align working hours based on business and customer needs
- Ability to be a strategic thought partner to Account Executives (AEs), continuously researching and staying up-to-date on your region as a territory expert, tracking account activity, and managing hundreds of school accounts across designated states
- Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and adaptability by actively seeking feedback, mastering Newsela’s full product suite, and refining your approach daily
- Demonstrate a high intrinsic drive, excellent time management and organization, and a proactive approach to managing your daily responsibilities
- Familiar with sales platforms such as Salesloft, and/or Outreach.io
- A strong communicator who can empathize with the unique challenges of our K-12 buyers, translating those insights into compelling value propositions
- Thrive in a fast-paced environment and uses creativity when partnering with team members to ensure flawless execution
- Experiencing using AI tools to drive greater efficiency and productivity
- Legally authorized to work in the US
What the job involves
- Sales Development Representatives (SDRs) generate qualified pipeline by engaging leaders within Newsela's Strategic segment, partnering with some of the largest school districts in the country
- They are energized by research and account planning, using a deep understanding of the K–12 landscape to personalize outreach, navigate complex district structures, and lead thoughtful, meaningful cold calls that uncover real district priorities
- SDRs collaborate closely with Account Executives, communicate proactively, and take ownership of every opportunity from first touch through handoff
- This is a fully remote role and an exciting opportunity to have an impact on student outcomes!
- Drive high-volume outbound prospecting through strategic email cadences and targeted daily phone outreach to key school decision-makers, including administrators and instructional coaches
- Uncover and qualify district needs through consultative conversations, transitioning high-potential leads into qualified opportunities for the Strategic Sales team
- Partner with a dedicated Account Executive (AE) to align on territory strategy, coordinate outreach, and book introductory meetings
- Collaborate within the Sales organization to inform strategy and processes that enhance overall sales performance
- Contribute to a highly supportive team environment, backed by robust sales training, enablement, marketing, and operations
- As the initial point of contact with prospects, represent the future of education by empowering districts to supplement their curriculum with differentiated instruction
- Review calls with the SDR team, share best practices, and iterate on outreach strategies, including crafting customized talk tracks and hyper personalized email outreach
- Utilizes data insights and maintains meticulous CRM data hygiene to track cadences, prioritize active leads, and ensure efficient pipeline management
Application process
- All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check as part of our pre-employment process
Our take
While textbooks have been standard issue in classrooms for centuries, digital instructional materials are now more prevalent. Newsela offers a learning platform that curates and rewrites news articles, historical speeches, and scientific papers to help accelerate learning.
The platform is available in both English and Spanish and includes quizzes, exercises, and writing prompts to help engage students at any level. Millions of teachers and K-12 students use the platform, which has proved extremely popular so far.
In 2021, the company reached unicorn status. Since then, research has shown that Newsela is 70% more effective at promoting reading skills compared to an average summer reading program. This demonstrates the value it brings to the space, and places it well for continued expansion and innovation.
Kirsty
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
16% employee growth in 12 months
Company
Funding (last 2 of 5 rounds)
Feb 2021
$100m
SERIES D
Mar 2019
$50m
SERIES C
Total funding: $172.2m
Company benefits
- Healthcare (pets included)
- Continue your learning - on us!
- Discounts and resources to stay healthy
- Commuter savings (trains/bikes)
- Generous time off for your most important job — maternity, paternity, and adoption
- Unlimited time Off
Company HQ
Theater District, New York, NY
Leadership
Dan Cogan-Drew
(Co-Founder & Chief Academic Officer)A qualified teacher with extensive and varied experience. Recent roles include Director of Programs at EDUCATION CONNECTION and Director of Digital Learning at Achievement First Public Charter Schools.
Matthew Gross
(Co-Founder & Director)Former CEO of the company. Co-founded and was CEO at Grouper Education. Was also a Board Member at New Classrooms, Executive Director at Regents Research Fund and VP at PENCIL.
Pep Carrera
(CEO)Board Member at Follett Higher Education. Was CEO at Nearpod, President at ProQuest, and President and COO at VitalSource Technologies.
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