At a Glance
- Tasks: Build and own the sales pipeline from scratch in a fast-paced AI startup.
- Company: Join a high-growth, VC-backed AI startup with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, uncapped commission, equity, and career acceleration.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team and thrive in an early-stage environment.
- Why this job: Shape the sales strategy and make a real impact in a pioneering role.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in new business sales and technical buyer engagement.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € 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 CorporationTM
Join a pioneering AI startup in London as a Founding Account Executive, where you'll enjoy a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. With competitive compensation, uncapped commission, and equity options, this role offers significant financial upside and the chance to shape the sales strategy from the ground up. As part of a high-performance team, you'll have unparalleled opportunities for personal and professional growth in an exciting, fast-paced environment.
Contact Detail:
SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B CorporationTM 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 online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. The more connections you make, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your experience in building pipelines and closing deals. Share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles, especially in technical sales.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to companies you’re interested in, even if they’re not actively hiring. Express your enthusiasm for their mission and how you can contribute to their growth, especially in a fast-paced startup environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Utilise our website! We’ve got loads of resources and job listings tailored for roles like Founding Account Executive. Keep an eye on our updates and apply through us to increase your chances of getting noticed by top-tier startups looking for talent like yours.
We think you need these skills to ace Founding Account Executive in London
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 stories that showcase your hunting prowess!
Be Technical and Credible:Since you'll be selling to technical stakeholders, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to hold deep, credible conversations. We love candidates who can talk the talk, so don’t shy away from showcasing your technical knowledge in your application.
Embrace the Ambiguity:This role is all about building from scratch, so let us know how you thrive in early-stage environments. Share examples of how you've navigated ambiguity and taken ownership in past roles — we’re looking for builders!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to see your application and get you into the process. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team right from the start!
How to prepare for a job interview at SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B CorporationTM
✨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 comfort with hands-on prospecting to show you're the right fit for this hunter role.
✨Embrace the Ambiguity
This is an early-stage environment, so be prepared to discuss how you thrive in situations with little structure. Share experiences where you've built processes or strategies from the ground up, showcasing your adaptability and builder mentality.
