This free Sales Manager job description template is ready to use — copy it, replace the {{placeholders}}, and post your role in minutes. It includes a company intro, a role summary, responsibilities, requirements, nice-to-haves, and compensation, with writing tips and FAQs below to help you tailor it to your team.
When to use this template
Use this when you're hiring someone to lead a sales team — coaching reps, owning a team quota, and building the process that helps them win. It's a people-leadership role distinct from an individual closer.
Sales manager candidates want to know the team size, the segment, and what's already in place (playbook, tooling, pipeline). Be clear about whether they'll also carry an individual quota.
If you need a strong individual closer, use the Account Executive template instead.
Writing tips
- State the team size, the segment, and whether the role carries an individual quota.
- Describe what's in place (playbook, tooling, pipeline) vs. what they'll build.
- Emphasize coaching and team performance, not just personal selling.
- Be transparent about the comp structure, including team-based variable.
- Include the base salary and OTE.
The job description
Copy the template below and replace the {{placeholders}} and [bracketed notes] with your specifics.
About {{company}}
{{company}} is [what you sell and to whom]. We're scaling our sales team and hiring a Sales Manager to lead a team of reps and help them win.
The role
As a Sales Manager, you'll lead and coach a team of [reps / segment], own their number, and build the process and culture that helps them succeed. You'll hire, develop talent, and partner with marketing and leadership. This role reports to {{hiring_manager}} and is based {{work_type}} in {{location}}.
What you'll do
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of [team size] sales reps.
- Own the team's quota and forecast accurately.
- Run deal reviews and help reps move and close opportunities.
- Hire and onboard new reps and raise the team's bar.
- Improve the sales process, playbook, and use of tooling.
What we're looking for
- 2+ years managing salespeople, with a track record of hitting team targets.
- A strong individual selling background before management.
- Excellent coaching skills and a genuine interest in growing people.
- Discipline with pipeline, forecasting, and process.
- Clear, motivating communication.
Nice to have
- Experience selling and managing in [your segment, e.g. B2B SaaS].
- A track record of building or scaling a sales team.
- Familiarity with [your sales stack].
What we offer
- Base salary {{salary_range}}, with OTE of [on-target earnings].
- [Comprehensive benefits] and equity.
- Flexible {{work_type}} working and [PTO policy].
- A team to build and a product people want to buy.
How to personalize
Replace these placeholders before posting:
- {{company}}
- {{location}}
- {{work_type}}
- {{salary_range}}
- {{hiring_manager}}
The bracketed notes — like [your benefits] or [your primary language(s)] — are prompts to swap in your own details. The more specific you are about the actual work and stack, the stronger your applicant pool will be.
Frequently asked questions
- What does a Sales Manager do?
- A Sales Manager leads a team of sales reps. They coach and develop the team, own a team quota and forecast, run deal reviews, hire and onboard reps, and build the process and playbook that help the team win — succeeding through their team's results rather than personal selling.
- What's the difference between a Sales Manager and an Account Executive?
- An Account Executive is an individual contributor who closes deals and carries a personal quota. A Sales Manager leads a team of AEs (and sometimes SDRs), owns the team's number, and is measured on the team's performance. Sales managers usually come from strong AE backgrounds.
- What skills should a Sales Manager have?
- A strong individual selling track record, excellent coaching ability, discipline with pipeline and forecasting, and clear, motivating communication. The defining skill is growing people and building a repeatable process, not just closing deals personally.