At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex sales cycles with UK government departments and shape the go-to-market strategy.
- Company: Exciting seed-stage startup backed by industry leaders, focused on national security.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, uncapped commission, equity options, and flexible hybrid work.
- Why this job: Join a mission-driven team tackling disinformation and make a real impact in public sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in government sales, understanding of long-cycle deals, and SC clearance eligibility.
- Other info: Be part of a fast-paced environment with significant growth potential and autonomy.
The predicted salary is between 64000 - 96000 £ per year.
We’re hiring the founding sales hire focused on UK Government for a London-based, well backed by some huge names in the industry - even the government. It’s a seed-stage startup. You’ll be joining early, but not too early. The product works. Government buyers are already using it. The company is well funded, moving fast, and operating in one of the most strategically relevant sectors of the next decade. This isn’t a polished GTM engine (yet). You’ll be helping build it.
What This Company Does
They’ve built a mission-led platform for governments and enterprises to detect, attribute, and respond to AI-enabled disinformation and narrative attacks. As governments invest in narrative defence, national resilience, and information integrity, this company is providing the tooling to operate in today’s hostile, fast-moving information environments. Their platform fuses open and dark data, maps adversarial narratives, attributes threat actors, and enables rapid, evidence-led response. Most competitors stop at monitoring. This goes further.
Why This Role Exists
The company has early traction across central government and is now expanding their presence across the public sector and affiliated organisations. You’ll be the first AE focused on government. The GTM is founder-led today. You’ll be working directly with leadership to develop the approach and win critical early contracts.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Own and close complex sales cycles into departments like MOD, Home Office, FCDO, and others
- Engage senior stakeholders across risk, comms, intelligence, and policy teams
- Help define how government GTM works - campaigns, messaging, partnerships, targeting
- Provide structured feedback into product and positioning
- Operate with a high degree of autonomy and trust
This Could Be a Good Fit If You:
- Have sold into central government, national security, or defence
- Understand long-cycle sales and how to navigate multi-stakeholder deals
- Are comfortable educating buyers on emerging categories
- Have SC clearance or are eligible for it
- Want to help shape something from the start, not just run a process someone else designed
This Probably Isn’t a Fit If You:
- Only have commercial-sector sales experience
- Need established processes, brand recognition, or large teams
- Aren’t motivated by public sector outcomes or national security work
Package and Process
- Base: £80k-£100k
- OTE: Double OTE (uncapped)
- Equity: Yes
- Location: London hybrid (HQ-based)
- Interview process:
- Apply on Linked or Meritt
- Introductory call
- Founder interview
- Strategy / deal simulation
- Final with CTO
Founding Account Executive - London 2 days a month in office - Large Government Sales - Seed - Risk and Disinformation £80-100k 2X OTE in Slough employer: meritt.
Contact Detail:
meritt. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding Account Executive - London 2 days a month in office - Large Government Sales - Seed - Risk and Disinformation £80-100k 2X OTE in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the government sector. Attend events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. The more connections you make, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare to discuss your experience with long-cycle sales and navigating complex deals. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully engaged with senior stakeholders in the past. This will help you stand out as the ideal candidate for this role.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive in your approach! Research the company and its mission, and think about how you can contribute to shaping their go-to-market strategy. Bring fresh ideas to the table during interviews to demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our mission to tackle disinformation and support national security. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Founding Account Executive - London 2 days a month in office - Large Government Sales - Seed - Risk and Disinformation £80-100k 2X OTE in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Mission: When writing your application, let us know why you're excited about tackling disinformation and supporting government initiatives. We want to see your enthusiasm for making a difference in this crucial area!
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have with central government or national security sales. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your ability to navigate complex sales cycles and engage with senior stakeholders.
Be Authentic and Personal: Don’t be afraid to inject a bit of your personality into your application. We appreciate authenticity and want to get a sense of who you are beyond just your qualifications. Share your story and what drives you!
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 don’t miss out on any important updates during the process. Let’s get started!
How to prepare for a job interview at meritt.
✨Know Your Government Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the UK government structure and key departments like MOD, Home Office, and FCDO. Understanding their priorities and challenges will help you tailor your pitch and demonstrate that you’re not just selling a product, but providing a solution to their specific needs.
✨Showcase Your Sales Strategy
Prepare to discuss your approach to long-cycle sales and how you've successfully navigated multi-stakeholder deals in the past. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your ability to engage senior stakeholders and close complex sales cycles.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Public Sector Work
This role is all about making an impact in national security and public sector outcomes. Convey your enthusiasm for working in this space and how your previous experiences align with the mission of the company. Authenticity goes a long way!
✨Be Ready for a Dynamic Environment
Since this is a seed-stage startup, be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to building the go-to-market strategy from the ground up. Highlight your adaptability and willingness to operate with autonomy, as well as your ideas for campaigns and partnerships that could drive success.