BDR Role at Smartling - Launch Your SaaS Sales Career in Columbus
Career & Market Insight
This is an entry-to-mid level BDR role at a well-funded, high-growth SaaS company — an excellent launchpad for a SaaS sales career, particularly for French speakers targeting European markets.
Compensation context: No salary figures are disclosed, but BDR roles in Ireland typically range from €30,000–€45,000 base with OTE (on-target earnings) of €45,000–€65,000 including commission and SPIFFs. Battery Ventures-backed companies tend to offer competitive packages relative to market.
Skills you'll develop:
- Outbound prospecting and multi-channel outreach (email, LinkedIn, Zoom)
- Salesforce.com CRM management — a universally transferable skill
- Discovery call facilitation and objection handling
- SaaS sales methodology fundamentals (pipeline generation, qualification frameworks)
These are highly marketable skills in the SaaS sector. BDR experience at a recognized AI/SaaS company like Smartling (Fast Company #3 Most Innovative) is a strong CV accelerator for moving into Account Executive roles within 12–18 months.
Green flags: Structured coaching and training, remote-first culture, venture-backed growth stage (Battery Ventures), and a clear career progression path into AE roles. The AI-native product positioning means you'll gain exposure to one of the hottest categories in enterprise software.
Watch out for: BDR roles at fast-growth startups can have high-pressure quota environments. The lack of published salary transparency is a mild yellow flag — clarify OTE structure and ramp-up period during interviews. The role requires French proficiency, which narrows the talent pool and could give you leverage in salary negotiations.
Overview
Smartling is seeking a French-speaking Business Development Representative for a remote, work-from-home position based in Ireland. Smartling's Business Development team is a group of highly motivated sales professionals whose focus is to source and engage with high-potential prospects. As the first point of contact with potential customers, you will qualify active buying interest and be a critical part of the bridge between marketing and sales to ensure new customer acquisition is consistent, high-quality, and frictionless.
Smartling is an AI-native translation platform that's redefining how the world's biggest brands go global — ranked #3 on Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies list. We're growing rapidly at scale and are backed by Battery Ventures, a global technology-focused investment firm. While most companies are still figuring out how to use AI, we've spent years building it into the core of our platform — and we're just getting started.
What's in it for you
- Become a business representative via regular and structured coaching and training
- Be a part of an ambitious and highly motivated team
- You will learn vital prospecting skills and be a champion in discovery calls with prospects
- Develop your core foundation and launch your career as a SaaS sales professional
- Work in a fast-paced technology company
- Sales performance incentives for fun (SPIFFs!)
You Will
- Work alongside marketing and sales to source and engage with high-potential prospects and companies
- Develop and execute outreach strategies via email, Zoom, and social channels
- Generate curiosity with potential customers by clearly articulating Smartling's value proposition
- Act as a consultative partner for potential customers; fielding questions and handling objections
- Once prospects have been qualified and a fit has been identified, execute a hand-off to Account Executives
- Diligently record and manage prospect and company information in Salesforce.com
- Become a Smartling expert, maintaining an in-depth knowledge of the product, competitive positioning, and industry trends
- Be a Smartling ambassador at industry events and conferences
You Have
- Proficiency in French
- Interest in sales as a career
- Track record of top performance in a competitive environment
- A natural passion and curiosity for fast-paced technology
- Clear communicator with a deep sense of empathy
- A self-starter who loves problem-solving and teamwork
- Excellent written communication skills
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience
- 1 year customer-facing experience
- A home office setup conducive for working remotely, and the ability to work effectively as a remote team member*
Preferred but not required
- Working knowledge of sales and marketing tools, e.g. Salesforce.com, LinkedIn, Outreach
- Prior experience within a fast-paced technology company
You Are
- Results-focused. Motivated, hard-working and ready to level up to your career goals
- Curious: You're a "forever learner" with an insatiable desire to gain new skills and knowledge
- Enthusiastic. A fun and energetic co-worker
- Customer-focused. Passionate for client success at all times
- Detail-oriented. Have excellent time management and organisational skills
- A team-player. Who gets excited by a fast-paced, high-energy environment
You Will Enjoy
- Freedom - we are remote-first
- Growth - an opportunity to learn and advance your career
- Wealth - we offer a competitive salary
- Wellness - health benefits (based on location)
- Balance - flexible PTO
- Culture - an energetic, value-driven, and fun culture and team spirit
- Bonus - employee referral programs and Apple equipment
Smartling is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building an inclusive global team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, beliefs, skills, and experiences.
*To work from home, you must have a strong internet connection, a quiet space, and a professional (distraction and clutter-free) background.
To all recruitment agencies: Smartling does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias or Smartling employees. Smartling is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this BDR role fully remote or office-based?
Is French fluency required for this role?
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