Reading time: 5 minutes
Published:
If you've ever searched for a job, you know there are seemingly endless job titles. And if you're in sales, the options can feel even more overwhelming. What's the difference between a "sales executive" and a "sales manager," anyway?
Sales teams are the lifeblood of most companies. They bring in revenue and help to build relationships with customers. As a result, sales teams are often divided into different levels, each with its responsibilities. The titles given to sales staff members can vary from company to company, but there are typically three levels: entry-level, mid-level, and senior-level.
Sales titles can be confusing, but they don't have to be. This blog post will explore everything you need about sales titles, from entry-level positions to C-suite. By the end of this post, you'll have a much better understanding of the sales title hierarchy and what each position entails.
Sales job titles can vary from company to company, but most sales organizations use similar terminology to describe their positions. Here are the most common sales titles and an overview of their responsibilities:
Sales Development Representative (SDR): SDRs generate new leads for the sales team. This may involve research, cold calling, and emailing potential customers. The Salary in Europe ranges around € 25-30K, and in the US, it goes from $ 40-50K.
Account Executive (AE): AEs are responsible for building relationships with new customers and closing deals. In some organizations, AEs may also manage a portfolio of existing accounts. The salary in Europe ranges from around € 27-50K, and in the US, it goes from $50-70K.
Enterprise Sales Representative (ESR): ESRs are responsible for selling to large organizations. This may involve working with a team of specialists to close deals worth millions or even billions of dollars. Their salary in Europe ranges around € 60-90K, and in the US, it ranges from $ 70-150K.
Sales Manager: Sales managers oversee a team of sales representatives. This includes setting quotas, analyzing performance data, and providing coaching and feedback. The Salary in Europe ranges from around € 40-80K, and in the US, it ranges from $90-120K.
Director of Sales: The sales director is responsible for overall sales strategy and execution. This involves setting annual goals, developing new processes and policies, and managing the budget for the sales team. The Salary in Europe ranges around € 70-110K, and in the US, it ranges from $ 150-210K.
Chief Revenue Officer (CRO): The CRO is responsible for all aspects of revenue generation, from initial contact with potential customers to post-sale customer satisfaction. The Salary in Europe ranges around € 200K, and in the US, it will also be above $200K.
The above job order could look like a typical career progression. Most people who start their careers in sales begin as SDRs or AEs. With hard work and some luck, they may eventually be promoted to management positions such as sales manager or director of sales. For those who reach the top ranks of their organization, there may even be an opportunity to become the CRO. Of course, not everyone will progress through the ranks precisely this way — but this is a general overview of how most people advance in their careers in sales.
Entry-level sales positions are a great way to get your foot in the door of the business world. Many entry-level sales jobs require little to no experience and offer on-the-job training to help you learn the ropes. Some common entry-level sales titles include Sales Associate, Sales Representative, and Account Executive. As you advance in your career, you may consider becoming a Sales Manager or Director. The most important thing to remember is that entry-level sales positions are a great way to start your career in business. With hard work and dedication, you can quickly move up the ladder and achieve success.
Sales Analyst: sales analysts analyze sales data and report it to their managers. The Salary in Europe ranges around €40-80K, and in the US, it ranges from $80-100K depending on their seniority.
Sales Assistant: These positions are usually for employees in shops and stores. You try to sell as many products as possible to the people coming in. Salary in Europe ranges around €18-21K, and in the US, it ranges from $38-50K depending on their seniority.
Quality Analyst: Quality analysts inspect sales data to ensure its accuracy. Salary in Europe ranges around €32-45K, and in the US, it ranges from $50-60K depending on their seniority.
Sales Associate: focus on generating sales for the company and are sales reps that handle smaller accounts. Salary in Europe ranges around €23-27K, and in the US, it ranges from $35-50K depending on their seniority.
Sales Engineer: Sales engineers provide customer support and work with customers to ensure they are satisfied with their sales transactions. Salary in Europe ranges around €35-43K, and in the US, it ranges from $70-85K depending on their seniority.
Sales Trainee: Sales Trainees are also sales reps in training who typically do clerical work. These are usually meager salaries as they are still in training.
Some common titles for mid-level sales staff include account manager, territory manager, and business development manager. While the responsibilities of mid-level sales staff can vary from company to company, they typically play a critical role in the sales team's success. Let's see some alternative mid-level sales descriptions.
Sales Branch Manager: Sales branch managers oversee sales in a specific geographic area. Salary in Europe ranges around €45-90K, and in the US, it ranges from $80-120K depending on their seniority.
Assistant Sales Branch Manager: They have gained experience over time and are now responsible for overseeing sales in a specific geographic area. They usually have a higher hierarchy than sales branch managers. Salary in Europe ranges around € 65-90K, and in the US, it ranges from $100-120K depending on their seniority.
Sales Executive: Sales executives are sales reps who have proven themselves valuable assets to sales organizations. They are usually responsible for a team and are offered extra perks on top of their salary. Salary in Europe ranges around €45-90K, and in the US, it ranges from $80-120K depending on their seniority.
Sales Specialist: Sales specialists focus on sales transactions that are trending or complex. Salary in Europe ranges around €45-100K, and in the US, it ranges from $80-120K depending on their seniority.
Market Research Analyst: Market research analysts perform sales market analysis to determine sales opportunities and suggest new products. Salary in Europe ranges around €45-100K, and in the US, it ranges from $80-120K depending on their seniority.
Senior Sales Analyst: Senior sales analysts are responsible for analyzing sales data and reporting it to the appropriate personnel. The Salary in Europe ranges around €60-80K, and in the US, it ranges from $80-120K depending on their seniority.
Lead Development Officer: Lead development focuses on developing business sales opportunities. The Salary in Europe ranges around €40-60K, and in the US, it ranges from $50-60K depending on their seniority.
Sales Professional: Sales professionals are specifically knowledgeable in a certain industry or vertical. The Salary in Europe ranges around €40-80K, and in the US, it ranges from $70-80K depending on their seniority.
Sales Coordinator: Sales coordinators will add value by calculating the sales forecast from previous years, sales reporting & sales information. The Salary in Europe ranges around €37-48K, and in the US, it ranges from $40-50K depending on their seniority.
Sales Consultant: Sales consultants will provide sales guidance for an organization or enterprise. They will typically work with sales management staff and sales representatives to provide them with as much information and support as possible. The Salary in Europe ranges around €40-60K, and in the US, it ranges from $50-70K depending on their seniority.
Inside Sales Consultant: Inside sales consultants do the same job as sales consultants; however, they are internally hired and work for the same company they provide support. The Salary in Europe ranges around €40-55K, and in the US, it ranges from $50-70K depending on their seniority.
Team Leader: Team Leaders are similar to sales managers; however, they don't take decisions for their team members. They have a lot of responsibility regarding team performance, coaching, and reporting. The Salary in Europe ranges around €35-50K, and in the US, it ranges from $40-65K depending on their seniority.
By comparison, senior-level salespeople typically have more autonomy and are not responsible for managing other staff. As a result, their titles tend to reflect their high level of experience and expertise. Some common senior-level sales titles include Chief Sales Officer, Executive Vice President of Sales, and Global Head of Sales. These titles denote a much higher level of responsibility than mid-level titles and usually indicate that the person holds a leadership position within the organization.
Chief Executive Officer: CEOs are responsible for all sales management, operations, and strategies. They have a high impact on the company culture and results. Different terminology for this position could be Chief Sales Executive or CEO of sales, Chief revenue officer, or global sales director. Wages usually start at 150K EUR or DOLLARS, depending on the company's size.
Regional Sales Manager: Regional sales managers lead regional sales teams and support national sales organizations. Different terminology for this position could be a zonal sales manager, area sales manager, national sales manager, or regional sales manager, which could also be the next step nationally, depending on how many countries the company serves. The Salary in Europe ranges around €50-80K, and in the US, it ranges from $90-120K depending on the company's size.
Executive Vice President of Sales: Executive vice presidents of sales have many diverse responsibilities and need to oversee all areas of the company's sales department, such as training, marketing & branding, and daily operations. Different terminology for this position could be president of sales & marketing. The Salary in Europe ranges around €100-150K, and in the US, it ranges from $180K-UP depending on the company's size.
General Manager of the Sales Department: A general sales manager is most used in retail settings. They oversee sales teams in their stores. The Salary in Europe ranges around €75 -100K, and in the US, it ranges from $70-100K depending on the company's size.
Sales jobs can be confusing, and hierarchy and salary compensation aren't always linear. by understanding common salesperson job descriptions, you can figure out what path is best for your career! With hard work, you can move up through the ranks from an SDR or AE position into management or maybe even chief revenue officer! Also check out our article on how to motivate your sales team.
