Founding Account Executive in London

Founding Account Executive in London

London Full-Time 50000 - 70000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Build and scale sales from scratch in a high-growth AI startup.
  • Company: Join a VC-backed AI startup with a strong technical product.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, uncapped commission, equity, and career growth.
  • Other info: Fast-paced, collaborative team with huge potential for impact.
  • Why this job: Be a foundational hire and shape the future of sales strategy.
  • Qualifications: Proven sales experience, especially in technical environments.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.

We’re partnering with a high-growth, VC-backed AI startup tackling one of the most complex challenges in enterprise technology today. This is a business at Series A stage, backed by top-tier investors, with a deeply technical product and strong early traction across enterprise customers. They’re now building out their go-to-market function from the ground up and are looking for founding Account Executives to help define and scale revenue.

The Opportunity

This is not a typical AE role. You’ll be joining as one of the first dedicated sales hires, working directly with leadership to build pipeline, close deals, and shape the entire sales motion. There’s no playbook - you’ll be helping to create it. If you’re someone who thrives in early-stage environments, enjoys autonomy, and wants real ownership in building something from scratch, this is a rare opportunity.

What You’ll Be Doing

  • Building a pipeline from zero through outbound, network, and strategic outreach
  • Owning the full sales cycle end-to-end: discovery, demo, pilot, negotiation, and close
  • Selling into technical stakeholders (CTO, CIO, VP Engineering, IT Ops)
  • Running consultative, technically credible conversations without heavy reliance on pre-sales
  • Designing and closing pilot-led deals (typically landing smaller and expanding quickly)
  • Working closely with leadership and product to shape messaging, positioning, and GTM strategy
  • Feeding back real customer insight to influence product development

What We’re Looking For

  • Proven experience in net new business sales (true hunting role)
  • Strong track record of self-sourcing pipeline and closing deals independently
  • Experience selling into technical buyers (CTO, CIO, Engineering, IT)
  • Ability to run deep, credible technical discovery conversations solo
  • Background in enterprise SaaS, AI, or highly technical products
  • Comfortable in early-stage environments — ambiguity, pace, and building from scratch
  • Track record of owning full-cycle sales without reliance on SDRs or large support teams

What Won’t Work

  • AEs heavily reliant on account management, renewals, or expansion revenue
  • Sellers used to large support structures (SDRs, SEs driving deals)
  • Those uncomfortable with hands-on prospecting and full ownership of deals
  • Candidates unable to clearly articulate specific, verifiable deal wins

Nice to Have

  • Experience selling into IT operations, ITSM, or service management environments
  • Exposure to technical founder-led sales environments
  • Familiarity with complex enterprise workflows and operational systems

Package & Benefits

  • Competitive base salary
  • Uncapped commission
  • Meaningful equity upside
  • Opportunity to be part of the founding GTM team

Working Environment

  • 5 days per week in London office
  • High-performance, highly collaborative team
  • Fast-paced, builder mentality — everyone contributes

Why Join?

Be a foundational hire in a high-potential AI business. Work directly with technical founders and leadership. Shape the sales playbook, messaging, and GTM strategy. Huge opportunity for career acceleration and financial upside. If you’re a highly driven, technical, new business seller who wants to build something from the ground up — not just join it once it’s built — this is a standout opportunity.

Founding Account Executive in London employer: SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation™

Join a pioneering AI startup in London as a Founding Account Executive, where you'll have the unique opportunity to shape the sales strategy and contribute to building a high-growth enterprise SaaS business from the ground up. With a competitive salary, uncapped commission, and meaningful equity, this role offers not only financial rewards but also a collaborative and fast-paced work environment that fosters innovation and personal growth. Be part of a high-performance team that values autonomy and encourages you to take ownership of your success while working closely with visionary technical founders.
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Contact Detail:

SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation™ 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 relevant online communities, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews by doing your homework. Research the company, understand their product, and know their competitors. This will help you have meaningful conversations and show that you’re genuinely interested in being part of their journey.

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! You’ll need to articulate your experience and how it aligns with the role. Focus on your achievements in net new business sales and be ready to discuss specific deals you've closed. Confidence is key, so rehearse until it feels natural.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly. Let’s build something amazing together!

We think you need these skills to ace Founding Account Executive in London

New Business Sales
Pipeline Development
Full Sales Cycle Management
Technical Selling
Consultative Selling
Negotiation Skills
Customer Insight Analysis
Enterprise SaaS Knowledge
AI Product Understanding
Autonomy in Sales
Adaptability in Early-Stage Environments
Self-Sourcing Pipeline
Technical Discovery Conversations
Collaboration with Leadership

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Hunting Skills: Make sure to highlight your experience in net new business sales. We want to see how you've successfully sourced and closed deals independently, so share those specific wins that demonstrate your hunting prowess!

Speak Our Language: When writing your application, use terminology that resonates with us. Mention your familiarity with enterprise SaaS and AI, and don’t shy away from discussing your experience with technical stakeholders like CTOs and CIOs.

Be Authentic: We’re looking for genuine passion and ownership in your application. Share your thoughts on building from scratch and how you thrive in early-stage environments. Let your personality shine through!

Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to see your enthusiasm and fit for this unique role!

How to prepare for a job interview at SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation™

Know Your Product Inside Out

Before the interview, make sure you understand the AI product and its technical aspects thoroughly. This role involves selling to technical stakeholders, so being able to discuss the product's features and benefits confidently will set you apart.

Prepare for Consultative Conversations

Practice running deep, credible technical discovery conversations. Think about potential questions you might face from CTOs or CIOs and prepare your responses. Show that you can engage in meaningful discussions without relying on pre-sales support.

Demonstrate Your Hunting Skills

Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully sourced and closed deals independently. Highlight your experience in building a pipeline from scratch and your ability to thrive in early-stage environments.

Showcase Your Adaptability

This role is all about building from the ground up, so be prepared to discuss how you've navigated ambiguity and fast-paced changes in previous roles. Share stories that illustrate your ability to adapt and contribute to a high-performance team.

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