Sales Development Representative, Home Improvement

About the role

Upgrade is building a new sales division focused on home improvement financing and needs an early team member to establish the pipeline. You will identify and engage contractors and merchants to adopt our consumer credit products. This role is responsible for initiating contact with key stakeholders and becoming the primary point of entry for our home improvement financing solutions. You will own the front-end of the sales funnel by sourcing and connecting with the right partners. This position offers a direct transition path into Account Executive roles as the department scales and you are expected to document your processes thoroughly. The successful candidate will act as the voice of the product in the market and gather crucial feedback from prospects. You are expected to experiment with new outreach techniques and contribute insights that refine the overall sales approach for the division.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Execute outbound prospecting through cold calling, email, and multi-channel sequences to secure demos and generate interest.
• Qualify leads by evaluating fit and articulating the core benefits of our financing options before transitioning opportunities to the sales team.
• Conduct in-depth account research to identify stakeholder roles and tailor messaging that resonates with merchants and contractors.
• Analyze campaign metrics and adjust outreach strategies to improve response rates and conversion potential over time.
• Establish operational routines and communication standards that set the foundation for the new business unit's culture.
• Liaise with Sales and Customer Success teams to share feedback and ensure a smooth handoff of qualified opportunities.
• Source new prospects within the home improvement sector to expand the pipeline and support aggressive growth targets.
• Represent Upgrade in industry-related interactions to build credibility and trust with prospective partners.
• Utilize sales technology platforms to log activities, track engagements, and maintain accurate records of all communications.
• Collaborate on the development of sales playbooks by providing real-world insights from the field to improve documentation.

Requirements

• Ability to manage high-volume outbound activity and cold calling with consistency and professionalism.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to build rapport and explain complex value propositions clearly.
• Adaptability to function effectively in an early-stage team environment where priorities shift rapidly and ambiguity is common.
• Collaborative mindset to work cross-functionally with internal teams and maintain alignment on goals.
• Demonstrated desire to contribute to sales strategy by providing input on messaging and target accounts.
• Willingness to adhere to the onboarding schedule and training programs required to fully understand the product suite.
• Capability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining organization and time management.
• Eligibility to work in the United States without sponsorship, as this role requires domestic engagement with local partners.

Nice to have

Experience in the home improvement, construction, or related verticals is preferred for this role.

Background in outbound sales or business development within a B2B environment is advantageous.

Familiarity with sales CRM tools and data entry best practices to ensure accurate reporting.

Practical notes

The compensation for this role includes a competitive salary and stock options as part of the total rewards package. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance with employer-paid options, flexible PTO, and paid parental leave to support personal and family needs. The role involves working in a fast-paced environment requiring the use of digital systems and telecommunications for high-volume interactions with prospects and partners. As a hybrid position, the schedule will combine remote work and in-office days based on team coordination needs. Remote employees must maintain a secure workspace with reliable internet connectivity to ensure consistent performance. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. This position is based in Atlanta and requires a hybrid schedule that aligns with team availability and operational needs.