At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI sales and business development, driving growth and closing high-value deals.
- Company: Join a pioneering AI-first company transforming knowledge discovery and application.
- Benefits: Flexible remote work, competitive salary, uncapped commission, and generous vacation.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for professional development and career growth.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI innovation and make a real impact in diverse industries.
- Qualifications: Proven SaaS sales experience, strong communication skills, and a passion for AI.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
- Principal AI Sales & Business Development Executive
Principal AI Sales & Business Development Executive
Iris.ai is a pioneering AI-first company on a mission to radically transform how humans discover, navigate, and apply knowledge. For over a decade, we’ve built intelligent systems that empower researchers, AI developers, engineers, and product teams to innovate faster, deeper, and with greater precision.
Our product suite (Neuralith, Axion, and RSpace) offers AI-powered development platforms designed to streamline the development processes, from data connection and orchestration to evaluation and deployment in one cohesive platform. Our diverse customer base spans across industries, research institutions, and innovation labs. This unique position enables us to bring the latest breakthroughs in AI research directly into real-world applications, solving pressing market challenges and driving tangible impact in the new era of Artificial Intelligence.
We’re an European Innovation Council (EIC) backed B2B scaleup company with teams spread across Europe, driven by curiosity, scientific rigor with deep-tech product excellence, we are on a mission to transform the way data professionals, AI innovators, and product R&D operate across different industries. Now, we’re seeking a UK-based sales leader to help us scale our next phase of growth.
We’re hiring a high-impact AI SaaS Sales & Business Development Executive to take charge of our go-to-market execution in the UK. This is a strategic hunter’s role for someone eager to lead deals from first contact to production success. You’ll work directly with Iris.ai’s senior leadership, marketing, and product teams to identify target accounts, nurture opportunities, and close 6–7 figure deals with enterprise AI, data, and R&D leaders in diverse industries and segments. You will play a pivotal role in owning the entire customer journey, collaborating with pre-sales engineering teams and ensuring GTM strategy execution from qualification all the way to production.
Your mission?
Drive Iris.ai’s next phase of hypergrowth for the region, unlocking strategic accounts, developing new teams, and shifting us from founder-led to leader-led sales maturity.
What You’ll Own:
- Full sales cycle ownership – From qualified lead to contract signing to post-sale success
- Strategic prospecting - Engage with senior AI leadership and/or C-suite at target organizations through a consultative approach, understanding their strategic priorities and identifying high-value AI use cases
- Relationship building – Develop long-term trust with key stakeholders across Engineering, Product, innovation, and business teams.
- Revenue leadership – Hit and exceed quarterly/annual targets for the region. Drive new logo acquisition and account expansions.
- Go-to-market execution – Shape sales playbooks, campaign priorities, partnership model with support demand-gen and marketing teams.
- Sales Engagement - Lead complex proposal development, solution presentations, and commercial negotiations in collaboration with the pre-sales engineering team.
- Sales ops excellence – Maintain CRM hygiene, monitor pipeline health, and leverage data to optimize conversions.
- Market intelligence – Feed insights back to marketing and product to sharpen ICP definition and value messaging.
Your Profile:
- Proven track record in enterprise SaaS sales: ideally within AI, data platforms, engineering tools, or technical deep-tech products.
- You’re a hunter at heart—driven by new business, with a relentless, strategic approach to closing, while understanding various farming techniques.
- You know how to build trust with technical buyers and communicate complex value propositions simply and persuasively.
- Familiarity with AI (100–200 level) is ideal, bonus points if you’ve sold to data science, machine learning, cloud, data or platform engineering teams.
- Comfortable working across fast-moving scaleups—you embrace ambiguity, move with urgency, and thrive in cross-functional environments.
- Proficiency in CRM software and other sales tools, as well as thorough understanding of metrics and data.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills in English, capable of explaining complex information in a clear and concise manner.
- Ability to work highly independent and as part of a distributed team, managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, agile, start-up environment.
- Experience transitioning a company from founder-led to structured sales motion, and developing new sales teams is a plus.
- A high degree in market connection in diverse industries is also a plus.
What We Offer
- A rare chance to lead the commercial growth at an inflection point and opportunity to grow a business unit in the UK & Europe..
- A flexible, remote-first work environment with autonomy and impact.
- Collaborate with world-class engineers, visionaries, researchers to accelerate AI disruption and innovation across industries.
- A culture built on intellectual honesty, curiosity, and purposeful disruption.
- Competitive salary + commission with uncapped potential
- Annual Salary Review
- Performance-based annual bonus
- Company share Incentive plan
Work-Life Balance
- 30+ days annual paid vacation
- Flexible work location - You choose where to work from the
- Regular Team building activities and travels
- Seasonal Working Get Togethers (summer / winter)
- Personal equipment reimbursement program
- Charity and volunteer activities
- Employee Recognition program
Professional Development
- Career Enhancement plan
- Individual Learning & Development budget
- Knowledge transfer
- New Technologies Introduction & Learning opportunities
- Workshops, Conferences, Business Deep Dives (internal & external)
- Freedom to bring innovation and your ideas to life
Principal AI Sales & Business Development Executive employer: Iris AI AS
Iris.ai is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead commercial growth in a pioneering AI-first company. With a flexible, remote-first work environment, competitive salary packages, and a culture that fosters intellectual honesty and curiosity, employees are empowered to innovate and grow. The company prioritises professional development through workshops, conferences, and a dedicated learning budget, making it an ideal place for ambitious sales leaders looking to make a significant impact in the AI industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal AI Sales & Business Development Executive
✨Leverage Your Network
In sales and business development, who you know can often be as important as what you know. Get involved with local networking events or industry meetups to connect with key players. Don't be shy—share your passion for the field and let folks know you're on the lookout for opportunities!
✨Show Your Skills Through Real-World Results
When targeting a full-time role like Principal AI Sales & Business Development Executive at Iris AI AS, presenting tangible results from your previous sales experience can set you apart. Bring along case studies or examples of how you've closed deals or expanded accounts, and don't forget to showcase your problem-solving prowess. It’s all about quantifying your success!
✨Engage with Sales Communities
Dive deep into online sales communities, like Sales Hacker or LinkedIn groups dedicated to sales professionals. Engaging in discussions and sharing insights can boost your visibility and might just put you on the radar of hiring managers looking for fresh talent in business development.
✨Direct Applications Matter
While we all know the online application route, consider sending direct applications to companies you admire, including Iris AI AS. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a Principal AI Sales & Business Development Executive. Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal AI Sales & Business Development Executive
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Those Sales Skills:In your CV and cover letter, highlight any previous sales or business development experience you have. Use numbers and examples to showcase your achievements – did you exceed sales targets or bring in new clients? Make those accomplishments shine!
Tailor Your Message for Iris AI AS:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for Iris AI AS. Show that you know the company’s mission and how your skills align with their goals in the sales landscape. This personalised touch will grab their attention!
Keep It Professional Yet Engaging:Sales is all about relationships, so while you want to maintain professionalism in your application, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Engage the reader and demonstrate your enthusiastic approach to sales and business development!
Proof of Performance:Include any relevant certifications or training you’ve undertaken in sales or negotiation tactics. If you’ve attended workshops or courses, list these to showcase your commitment to professional development. This extra touch can set you apart from the competition!
How to prepare for a job interview at Iris AI AS
✨Know Your Sales Methodologies
Brush up on popular sales methodologies like SPIN Selling or Challenger Sales. Being able to discuss these techniques and how you've applied them will show Iris AI AS that you understand the role and can hit the ground running in the sales game.
✨Demonstrate Your Deal-Making Skills
Prepare to share stories from your past experiences where you closed deals, overcame objections, or started new client relationships. We want to show Iris AI AS that you’re not just about numbers but also about building lasting connections in business development.
✨Prepare for Role-Play Scenarios
In a full-time sales interview, don’t be surprised if they throw in a role-play exercise to test your pitching skills. Practising how you would pitch a product or handle an objection will help us shine in this simulation—think of it like a dress rehearsal for your future sales calls!
✨Align Your Goals with the Company’s Vision
Take a moment to reflect on how your career ambitions align with Iris AI AS’s objectives. When we articulate how our personal growth ties in with the company’s goals, it shows commitment and a genuine interest in contributing to their success.
