In a space as fast-paced as esports and betting, there is zero room for error. Meet Todor Panev, Sales Operations Specialist at GRID, to see how he uses automation and precision to ensure our internal systems are as reliable and real-time as our data.
Sales Operations touches nearly every part of the customer lifecycle at GRID, from contracts to access, invoicing, and growth. What attracted you to a role that sits so centrally in how the business runs, and what made GRID the place you wanted to build that impact?
What attracted me most to this kind of role is, first of all, the responsibility it carries. I am someone who enjoys taking on responsible functions and working in positions where decisions have a real impact on the business. Sales Operations is exactly that kind of role, because it sits at the center of many key processes and requires precision, strong coordination, and the ability to think ahead.
I am particularly drawn to the opportunity to make important decisions that have a two-way impact – on the one hand, contributing to better customer service and satisfaction, and on the other, helping to simplify and optimize internal company processes. To me, that is a very valuable balance, because it shows how a well-executed operational role can create both external value and internal efficiency.
For many people, “Sales Ops” sounds abstract until they experience it firsthand. How would you explain your role to someone who doesn’t work closely with revenue or sales and what parts of the business you interact with most?
Sales Ops can sound a bit abstract at first, but in reality, it is exactly as interesting as it sounds. So if I were explaining it to someone outside of revenue or sales, I would say that Sales Ops helps connect the commercial side of the business with the operational and analytical side. It is a central role, because you are working across different teams and helping make sure the business runs efficiently, clearly, and in a way that supports growth.
From contracting and access management to revenue reports and invoicing, your work is about making complex processes feel smooth and reliable. What’s the biggest challenge in keeping everything accurate and efficient as GRID scales?
A person can only be productive up to the point that manual work allows, but beyond that, automation becomes essential. As a company scales, the volume and complexity of processes increase, and maintaining both accuracy and efficiency becomes much harder without the right systems in place.
That is especially important in Sales Ops, because it is such a critical function and there is very little room for error. It is not only an internal operational role, but very often also a first point of support for the end customer. Because of that, mistakes can affect both internal workflows and the customer experience, which is why strong data management, reliable processes, and thoughtful automation are so important.
Your role blends process design, data analysis, and business understanding, especially in a complex space like betting and esports. For someone who enjoys structure, systems, and improving how things work, what makes Sales Operations such a strong career path?
In Sales Ops, you are not just following processes – you are constantly looking at how things work, where they break down, and how they can be improved in a way that makes a real difference.
For someone who enjoys creating order, improving workflows, and making things run more efficiently, Sales Operations is a very rewarding path because your work is both structured and visible – you can actually see the impact of what you improve.
Think of it as if you were wearing magical gloves – you do the magic, and you see the results immediately.
When you’re not streamlining processes or diving into revenue data, what’s one hobby, habit, or side interest that helps you completely switch off, something most coworkers probably wouldn’t guess about you?
It might sound a little cliché if I say video games, football, and spending time in nature – those are three things I absolutely love, but they probably would not surprise anyone. What would most likely surprise my coworkers, however, is my biggest hobby: I love repairing and fixing electronics, specifically the computer side of things – laptops, PCs, consoles, and components. I find it incredibly relaxing, and I can spend three or four hours working on a device while feeling as if only 30 minutes have passed.
Look out for the next edition of Meet the Team!
If you are interested in learning more about GRID or current job openings, head to our career page.
Follow us on Linkedin and X and stay up to date with all the news from GRID.
