At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive enterprise sales and build your own pipeline in a fast-growing AI company.
- Company: Join a pre-IPO AI company valued at over $4 billion.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, uncapped commission, equity options, and comprehensive health coverage.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be a founding member of the European sales team and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience as a first AE or commercial hire in a startup environment.
The predicted salary is between 165000 - 205000 ยฃ per year.
We're hiring for a pre-IPO $4B+ AI company that you've heard of. The entire enterprise sales team is in the single digits. Every one of them hit quota last quarter, and the quarter before that, the team finished well above goal collectively. The product has massive organic demand and the enterprise motion is just getting started. You'd be the first commercial hire on the ground in Europe, with a London co-working space already in place.
THE ROLE
- Enterprise quota-carrying, selling into agencies, brand teams, and marketing organizations across every vertical.
- Full cycle from prospecting through close. Healthy inbound pipeline right now, but you're expected to build your own. True hunter mentality.
- Average deal volume is roughly 8 per quarter, mix of sizes. Real enterprise deals, not transactional velocity.
- No renewals. Post-sales owns 100% of retention. You hunt, you close, you hand off.
- London Metro presence required for client dinners, events, and in-person meetings.
- Weekly syncs with your West Coast manager in your late afternoon. Full autonomy between them.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- OTE: ยฃ165Kโยฃ205K GBP depending on experience (50/50 base and variable split).
- Commission: Uncapped with accelerators above quota.
- Equity: 4-year vest, 1-year cliff. Pre-IPO, priced to reflect where you're joining.
- Health: Medical, dental, and vision through BUPA, covered at 100% for you and dependents.
- Pension: Company pension plan.
THIS IS BUILT FOR YOU IF
- You've been the only AE in a region before, or the founding commercial hire at a company building its European presence.
- You've been through a product-led growth to enterprise transition and know what it feels like to sell a product users already love into an organization that hasn't bought it yet.
- You've built a pipeline, process, and playbook at a startup or scaleup. Not inherited one.
- You've been in your current or most recent role for 2+ years with real results. Not a good first quarter. Two years of ramping, hitting, and continuing to produce with limited resources.
- You're low-ego, high-curiosity, genuinely collaborative. The team is sharp.
- You can hold a conversation with a creative director or agency head without sounding like you're reading from a script.
- You're comfortable with a West Coast manager and don't need daily check-ins to perform.
NOT THE RIGHT FIT IF
- You need an enablement team, rigid segmentation, and a 50-slide onboarding deck before you can make a call.
- You've never worked anywhere with fewer than 50 salespeople.
- Your best results came at a company where the brand did the selling for you.
- You want to be left alone. This team is small and collaborative. Everyone helps everyone.
- You're not comfortable operating with an 8-hour time zone gap between you and your manager.
This search is confidential. The company name is shared on a live call with our team once you've been initially qualified.
Account Executive | Pre-IPO AI | $4B+ Valuation, Founding Sales Team employer: Pave Talent
Join a dynamic pre-IPO AI company with a $4B+ valuation, where you'll be part of a small, high-performing sales team that consistently exceeds targets. Located in London, this role offers a unique opportunity for autonomy and growth, with uncapped commission and equity options that reflect your early-stage contribution. The collaborative work culture encourages innovation and personal development, making it an ideal environment for ambitious professionals ready to make a significant impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice๐คซ
We think this is how you could land Account Executive | Pre-IPO AI | $4B+ Valuation, Founding Sales Team
โจTip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and donโt be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
โจTip Number 2
Show off your hunting skills! When you land an interview, be ready to talk about how you've built pipelines and closed deals in the past. Share specific examples that highlight your experience as a first hire or in a similar role. This is your chance to shine!
โจTip Number 3
Prepare for the unexpected! Since this role involves a lot of ambiguity, practice answering questions that require you to think on your feet. Be ready to discuss how you'd approach building a market from scratch and what strategies youโd use to drive sales.
โจTip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application come through directly. It shows you're serious about the opportunity and gives us a chance to get to know you better. Plus, itโs the best way to ensure your CV lands in the right hands!
We think you need these skills to ace Account Executive | Pre-IPO AI | $4B+ Valuation, Founding Sales Team
Some tips for your application ๐ซก
Show Your Firsts:We want to see your experience as a trailblazer! Highlight any roles where you were the first AE or commercial hire. This will show us you're comfortable with ambiguity and ready to take on new challenges.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role. Use keywords from the job description and showcase your achievements in building pipelines and closing deals. We love seeing quantifiable results!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story. Share why you're excited about this opportunity and how your past experiences align with our needs. Let your personality shine through!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! Itโs the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We canโt wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pave Talent
โจKnow Your Numbers
Make sure you can talk confidently about your past sales performance. Be ready to share specific metrics, like quota attainment and deal sizes, as this role is all about hitting targets and demonstrating your ability to close deals.
โจShowcase Your Hunter Mentality
This position requires a true hunter mentality, so prepare examples of how you've built pipelines from scratch. Discuss your strategies for prospecting and how you've successfully navigated ambiguity in previous roles.
โจUnderstand the Product and Market
Do your homework on the company's product and its market positioning. Be prepared to discuss how you would approach selling it to agencies and brand teams, especially since the enterprise motion is just getting started.
โจCultural Fit is Key
The team values collaboration and low-ego attitudes. Be yourself and demonstrate your curiosity and willingness to work with others. Share experiences where you've thrived in small, agile teams to show you're the right fit.
