Growth Lead

About Awarded

Awarded is an expanding B2B SaaS firm dedicated to higher education clients. Our software supports advancement teams across universities, from community colleges to Ivy League institutions, by streamlining vital fundraising and donor management workflows previously reliant on spreadsheets and outdated systems. Supported by solid investors, we maintain top-tier customer retention and an exciting product roadmap. Our lean leadership team is founder-led and currently scaling the go-to-market process.

Role Overview

This highly responsible position is ideal for a proactive operator aiming to lead and scale the commercial operations of an early-stage company. The appointed individual will take control of the systems, processes, and vendor management currently managed by the CEO, gaining comprehensive insight into revenue acquisition, closure, and retention within a SaaS environment while collaborating daily with the CEO. This role suits someone who desires significant ownership and direct impact, not merely strategic planning or system maintenance.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the outbound sales program end-to-end, including list strategy, messaging optimization, and ensuring meeting quality beyond volume metrics.
• Manage pipeline maintenance, reporting, and forecasting with reliability that the CEO can depend upon.
• Handle daily operations of the sales team, including account executive pipeline reviews, deal facilitation, and coaching rhythms.
• Collaborate with the CEO on major strategic and enterprise transactions while independently advancing mid-market sales.
• Manage proposals, RFP/RFQ submissions, and maintain a content library to support sales efforts.
• Coordinate contract processing from drafting to signature and billing, along with managing security and procurement questionnaires with compliance partners.
• Administer CRM and GTM technology stack, ensuring data accuracy, enrichment, and managing vendor relations.
• Evaluate, negotiate, and oversee GTM vendor partnerships and tools.
• Develop reporting frameworks covering funnel metrics, conversion rates, pipeline coverage, and forecast accuracy.
• Identify repetitive commercial tasks and implement automation solutions to eliminate inefficiencies.

Candidate Profile

• 3 to 7 years of experience in dynamic settings such as early-stage B2B SaaS, management consulting, banking/private equity, or GTM/BizOps generalist roles, with a preference for those transitioning from analysis to operational ownership.
• Experience supporting or leading sales efforts, including roles like account executive, sales development representative, SDR manager, deal desk owner, or embedded sales ops.
• Proven management skills in overseeing personnel or vendors, understanding effective delegation versus abdication.
• Proficiency or quick adaptability with CRM systems (e.g., HubSpot), sales engagement software, and data enrichment tools, focusing on solving problems rather than just purchasing tools.
• Ability to create and implement AI-powered workflow automations, prioritizing efficiency improvements over manual tasks.
• Comfort with routine or unglamorous tasks like invoice follow-ups, CRM data corrections, and messaging refinement, demonstrating focus on outcomes rather than appearances.
• Strong communication skills with clear, fast, and direct writing; results-oriented with accountability for output.
• Desire for comprehensive ownership of commercial functions rather than limited responsibilities within a larger organization.
• Preferred but not mandatory: experience selling to educational institutions, government entities, or other procurement-heavy buyers; knowledge of RFP-driven sales cycles; familiarity with managing offshore or agency GTM teams.

Compensation and Benefits

• Attractive salary with performance-based bonuses tied to pipeline and revenue targets.
• Equity stake in the company.
• Opportunity for role expansion as the company grows, with evolving responsibilities over time.
• Direct collaboration with the CEO, allowing substantial influence on company direction.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• A collaborative team culture focused on fast delivery and straightforward communication without performative efforts.