At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow Kong’s enterprise sales across Northern Europe with a focus on revenue generation.
- Company: Join Kong, a leader in API and AI connectivity technologies trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a company at the forefront of technology with a clear vision for the future.
- Why this job: Be part of a fast-paced team driving innovation in the AI and API space.
- Qualifications: Proven sales leadership experience and a track record of exceeding targets.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Are you ready to unlock intelligence? If you don’t think you meet all of the criteria below but are still interested in the job, please apply. Nobody checks every box - we’re looking for candidates that are particularly strong in a few areas, and have some interest and capabilities in others.
The Moment APIs used to be how software talked. Now they’re how AI thinks, acts, and moves. Every agent, every model, every prompt produces traffic. That traffic has to be secured, governed, and routed — at machine scale. Kong sits at that layer. We’re the control plane for API and AI traffic, trusted by the Fortune 500 and the most ambitious AI-native companies in the world. The market is shifting faster than most companies can track. Kong is already ahead of it. We need a sales leader who can match that pace — and build a team that wins in it.
About the Role
We’re hiring a Regional Vice President of Sales to own and grow Kong’s enterprise business across Northern Europe. You’ll lead a team of world-class Enterprise Account Executives — recruiting them, developing them, and holding a high bar across the board. You’ll report to the VP EMEA and carry full accountability for new logo acquisition and expansion revenue in the region. This isn’t a role for someone who wants to manage a steady-state territory. The market opportunity is real and it’s moving. We’re looking for a builder.
What You’ll Do
- Drive revenue. Own the Central region number. Build a pipeline that doesn’t keep you up at night — because it’s real, qualified, and well-covered.
- Lead best-in‑class AEs. Your team is the bar, not the floor. You hire exceptional people, develop them relentlessly, and move quickly on the ones who aren’t growing.
- Bring rigor to the process. You know what good qualification looks like, and you don’t let the team skip it when deals feel exciting. MEDDPICC or equivalent isn’t a checkbox — it’s how your team thinks.
- Coach with specificity. Pipeline generation, discovery, multi‑threading, value selling, executive engagement — you coach each rep on each deal, not just in aggregate.
- Forecast with accuracy. Weekly calls with your team, clean rollups to leadership. You call your number and you’re right. When you’re not, you know why before anyone asks.
- Build for scale. You’re not just hitting this quarter’s target. You’re building the foundation for a regional sales organization that compounds.
- Collaborate cross‑functionally. Marketing, Partners, Solutions Engineering, Customer Success — you know how to orchestrate the full motion, not just carry the bag.
What You’ll Bring
- A track record of overachievement — at every level. Top IC, top front‑line manager, top second‑line manager. Not once, consistently.
- Elite recruiting instincts. You know who the great AEs are before they’re looking. Your network is warm, your pitch is genuine, and your team reflects it.
- A methodology, not a vibe. You have a repeatable system for pipeline generation, qualification, and deal progression. You’ve taught it to others. It works.
- Real forecasting discipline. You’ve run a territory where your call and your close were the same number. You know what it takes to build that kind of visibility.
- Energy for the grind and the long game. Enterprise sales is complex. Agentic AI is a new buying motion. You embrace the complexity rather than simplifying it away — and you help your team do the same.
- Conviction about the market. You understand why API and AI connectivity is a board‑level conversation at every enterprise right now. You can walk into any C‑suite in the region and make Kong’s case compellingly.
Why Kong
Kong processes more API and AI traffic than any other platform on the planet. We’re trusted by over 5,000 organizations, including the majority of the Fortune 500. Our open‑source community runs into the hundreds of millions of downloads. We’re entering the agentic era with the strongest platform, the most credibility at the infrastructure layer, and the clearest vision in the space. The competitive window is real and it’s open. What we’re building here — a high‑quality, scalable, accountable sales organization — is just as deliberate as the product itself. If you’ve been waiting for the right company at the right moment with the right mandate, this is it.
About Kong
Kong Inc., a leading developer of API and AI connectivity technologies, is building the infrastructure that powers the agentic era. Trusted by the Fortune 500 and startups alike, Kong’s unified API and AI platform, Kong Konnect, enables organizations to secure, manage, accelerate, govern, and monetize the flow of intelligence across APIs and AI models.
RVP Sales UKI & Northern Europe (Benelux and Nordics) employer: Kong
Kong is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture, perfect for those looking to thrive in the fast-paced world of API and AI connectivity. With a strong emphasis on employee development, you will have the opportunity to lead and grow a high-performing sales team while collaborating with cross-functional experts. Located in Northern Europe, Kong offers a unique chance to be at the forefront of technology, driving meaningful change in a rapidly evolving market.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land RVP Sales UKI & Northern Europe (Benelux and Nordics)
✨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 RVP Sales UKI & Northern Europe (Benelux and Nordics) at Kong, 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 Kong. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a RVP Sales UKI & Northern Europe (Benelux and Nordics). Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!
We think you need these skills to ace RVP Sales UKI & Northern Europe (Benelux and Nordics)
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 Kong:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for Kong. 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 Kong
✨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 Kong 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 Kong 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 Kong’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.