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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive sales for a groundbreaking AI product and shape the company's future.
- Company: Join a well-funded AI startup with a dynamic team.
- Benefits: Hybrid work, equity options, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Be the first sales hire and lead the charge in a fast-growing startup.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in software sales with a proven track record.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to build scalable sales processes from scratch.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
At Hired By Startups, we’ve partnered with a well-funded AI startup to hire a Founding Account Executive to join as they launch their first B2B SaaS product.
As Founding Account Executive, you’ll be joining this AE startup as the first sales hire. Working closely with the CEO and Head of Marketing, you’ll be responsible for taking their product to market. You’ll build on the startup’s success with early customers and ultimately create a scalable sales playbook from which you can build a high performing team. This is a rare opportunity, where you’ll have the opportunity to work with an experienced CEO and rapidly take a category-defining AI product to market, shaping the company's early revenue trajectory.
The role
- Originate, qualify and close new business opportunities end-to-end
- Build and manage a strong pipeline across priority accounts
- Educate senior buyers and craft compelling ROI‑led narratives
- Own pricing, pilots, negotiations and contract processes
- Partner closely with marketing and product to refine positioning and GTM strategy
- Contribute to building scalable sales processes and playbooks
What we’re looking for
- 8+ years quota‑carrying software sales experience
- Consistent track record of exceeding revenue targets
- Experience selling emerging technologies requiring buyer education
- Ability to navigate complex, multi‑stakeholder sales cycles
- Comfortable operating in a zero‑to‑one, build‑from‑scratch environment
- Proven ability to generate pipeline through outbound activity
Nice to have
- AI, data or technical SaaS experience
- Exposure to complex or knowledge‑driven industries
- First commercial hire or early sales team experience in a scaling startup
- Experience expanding sales across international markets
Package
London‑based (hybrid) 3‑4 days in central London office per week. Equity options in a high‑growth AI startup.
Process
At Hired By Startups, we’ve been engaged as the exclusive search partner for this hire. Please note, this is a confidential search assignment, and so interested candidates will be required to sign an NDA before details of our client can be shared.
Founding Account Executive employer: Hired By Startups
Contact Detail:
Hired By Startups Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding Account Executive
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues or mentors on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its products thoroughly. Understand their market position and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. We want you to shine and show them why you're the perfect fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! As a Founding Account Executive, you’ll need to sell yourself just as you would their product. Create a compelling narrative about your career journey and how it relates to the role. Make it engaging and memorable!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way, so take advantage of our resources and let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Founding Account Executive
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Founding Account Executive role. Highlight your relevant experience in software sales and any specific achievements that align with the job description. We want to see how you can bring value to our startup!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about AI and how your background makes you the perfect fit for this role. Be sure to mention your experience with building sales processes, as that's key for us.
Showcase Your Sales Success: In your application, don’t forget to showcase your track record of exceeding revenue targets. We love numbers, so include specific metrics or examples that demonstrate your ability to generate pipeline and close deals effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hired By Startups
✨Know Your Product Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you understand the AI product you'll be selling. Research its features, benefits, and how it stands out in the market. This will help you craft compelling narratives during the interview and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Prepare for Complex Sales Scenarios
Given the nature of the role, be ready to discuss your experience with complex, multi-stakeholder sales cycles. Prepare examples from your past where you've successfully navigated these situations, highlighting your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
✨Showcase Your Pipeline Generation Skills
Since generating pipeline through outbound activity is crucial, come prepared with specific strategies you've used in the past. Discuss how you've built relationships and identified opportunities, as this will demonstrate your proactive approach to sales.
✨Align with Company Vision
Understand the startup's vision and how they plan to disrupt the market. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to building a scalable sales process. This shows that you're not just looking for a job, but are invested in their success.