SDR Team Lead

EU GTM | Cologne, Germany

About the team

SumUp's Sales Development function is one of the fastest-growing parts of our European go-to-market engine. Our SDRs generate qualified pipeline for high-performing field and inside sales reps across Germany and beyond — and we're now looking for a Team Lead in Cologne to help take that to the next level. As SDR Team Lead, you'll be the day-to-day leader of a team of Sales Development Representatives, coaching them to perform at their best while keeping a close eye on pipeline quality and activity metrics. You'll sit at the intersection of people leadership, sales strategy, and operational excellence — playing a critical role in how SumUp wins new business at scale across the SMB market.

What you'll do

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of SDRs based in Cologne, driving strong performance across outbound activity, qualified appointments set, and pipeline contribution

• Run daily team rituals — standups, call reviews, 1:1s — to keep the team focused, motivated, and continuously improving

• Monitor individual and team KPIs, identifying performance gaps early and putting the right support structures in place

• Partner with Sales Managers, RevOps, and the Outbound Growth Lead to align on lead quality, targeting, and sequencing

• Onboard and ramp new SDR hires, helping them hit their targets quickly and build strong sales habits from day one

• Contribute to the development of outbound playbooks, cadences, and messaging — sharing what's working and iterating fast on what isn't

• Act as a career development partner for your team, identifying high performers and creating pathways into full-cycle sales roles

• Report on team performance to senior Sales leadership, with clear commentary on trends, blockers, and opportunities

You'll be great for this role if…

• You have proven experience as a top-performing SDR or inside sales rep, with some exposure to team leadership, mentoring, or coaching

• You understand what great outbound looks like — from prospecting and sequencing to objection handling and qualification — and you know how to pass that on

• You're a motivating, hands-on leader who leads by example and brings energy to the team, even on tough days

• You're analytical and structured, comfortable using data to diagnose performance issues and make clear decisions

• You're a strong communicator — equally effective coaching a rep on a live call or presenting pipeline updates to senior stakeholders

• You thrive in a fast-moving environment where structures are still evolving and your initiative makes a real difference

• You speak German fluently and have a working level of English for internal communication

Why you should join SumUp

🌎 Work with global impact — Join a fintech used by over 4 million businesses in 37 markets, from our Cologne office

🌈 Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion — Be part of a workplace that values and promotes diversity, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone's perspectives are respected and embraced

🚀 Virtual Stock Option programme — Own a stake in SumUp's future success

📚 €2,000 annual L&D budget — Attend conferences or advance your career through further education

🔗 Referral Bonus — Earn additional rewards by referring talented individuals to join the SumUp team

About SumUp

Be empowered to do more that matters.

At SumUp, we're on a mission to empower small businesses across the globe by providing simple and affordable tools that allow them to thrive. Today, over 4 million businesses in 37 markets rely on SumUp as their financial partner to manage payments, finance, and customer relationships.

Our commitment to small businesses is reflected in our diverse team of over 3,000 SumUppers from over 90 nationalities, united by global collaboration and an innovative mindset. We foster inclusivity and a continuous learning culture, providing a safe space for personal and professional growth. Our differences make us unique and strong as we strive to create an environment where everyone belongs and feels supported, no matter how they identify.

SumUp is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, actively seeking and embracing diversity in our workforce. We don't make hiring or employment decisions based on race, colour, religion or religious belief, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age or any other basis protected by applicable laws or prohibited by company policy. Discover more about our culture and opportunities on our careers website, and follow our journey on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.

Keywords: SDR Team Lead, Sales Development Representative, SDR Manager, Inside Sales Team Lead, Sales Team Lead, Outbound Sales, Lead Generation, Business Development, Sales Manager, Team Lead, Sales Coach, Account Executive, Sales Development, Vertrieb, Teamleiter Vertrieb, Vertriebsleiter, Telesales, B2B Sales, Outbound, Cologne, Köln