At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sales for a groundbreaking AI product and shape the company's future.
- Company: Join a well-funded AI startup with a dynamic team and innovative vision.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and hybrid work model in London.
- Why this job: Be a key player in launching a category-defining product and build a high-performing sales team.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in software sales with a proven track record of exceeding targets.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to work closely with experienced leaders in a fast-paced environment.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 £ 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 chance 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
- £100k-£150k base salary, depending on experience
- £200k-£300k OTE
- 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.
About Hired By Startups:
At Hired By Startups, we’re the hiring partner of choice to many of London’s fastest growing startups & scale-ups. We specialise in building GTM teams and making leadership hires, with Seed - Series C startups, and over the last 8 years we’ve successfully hired for 100+ of London’s best known startups.
Founding Account Executive in London 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 in London
✨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. The more connections you make, the better your chances of landing that Founding Account Executive role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, share your success stories and how you've exceeded revenue targets in the past. Make sure they see you as the go-to person for taking their AI product to market.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to startups you’re interested in, even if they’re not actively hiring. Express your enthusiasm for their product and how you can help them build a scalable sales process.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of exciting opportunities, including the Founding Account Executive role. By applying directly, you’ll ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and we can help you navigate the process smoothly.
We think you need these skills to ace Founding Account Executive in London
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 achievements that showcase your ability to exceed revenue targets. 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 aligns with our mission. Be sure to mention your experience in navigating complex sales cycles and building strong pipelines.
Showcase Your Outbound Skills: Since generating pipeline through outbound activity is key, make sure to include specific examples of how you've successfully done this in the past. We love seeing numbers, so if you can quantify your success, even better!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows us you’re proactive and ready to take the first step!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hired By Startups
✨Know the Product Inside Out
Before your 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 Your Success Stories
Think of specific examples from your past sales experiences that demonstrate your ability to exceed targets and navigate complex sales cycles. Be ready to discuss how you've built pipelines and closed deals, especially in emerging tech or SaaS environments.
✨Understand the Market Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the competitive landscape and potential customers for the startup's product. Being able to discuss market trends and how the product fits into them will impress the interviewers and show that you can contribute to their go-to-market strategy.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's vision, sales strategy, and how they plan to scale. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company aligns with your career goals. Plus, it gives you a chance to engage with the CEO and Head of Marketing directly.