At a Glance
- Tasks: Own the sales cycle for AI-powered vulnerability management and close $100K+ deals.
- Company: Join a well-funded Series A startup at the forefront of cybersecurity innovation.
- Benefits: Shape the sales process, work with experts, and make a real impact in cybersecurity.
- Other info: Opportunity to build your career in a dynamic, early-stage environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a team solving critical security challenges with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in cybersecurity sales and a passion for understanding technical products.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Summary of the Role: As an Account Executive at Maze, you'll own the full sales cycle for enterprise customers buying AI-powered vulnerability management. This is an early-hire sales role at a well-funded Series A startup where you'll be building pipeline, running discovery, and closing $100K+ deals with security teams who are overwhelmed by vulnerability findings and need a solution that provides real context, eliminates false positives, and accurately determines exploitability. You'll be building the sales playbook as you go -- creating our sales process, refining our ICP through real customer conversations, and closing our first wave of enterprise customers. This is an opportunity for someone who has sold cybersecurity products before, thrives in early-stage environments, and gets genuinely excited about understanding how a product works rather than just pitching it. Your success will be measured by booked ARR, pipeline generated, deal velocity, and POC-to-close conversion rates.
Your Contributions to Our Journey:
- Build Pipeline From Scratch: Create and execute outbound prospecting strategies using a mix of cold calling, LinkedIn, events, and network leveraging to generate qualified opportunities with cloud-focused tech companies and financial services organisations.
- Own the Full Sales Cycle: Drive every stage from first touch through contract negotiation and close, navigating complex enterprise buying processes with multiple stakeholders and decision-makers. Work collaboratively with your Security Consultant on technical validation while maintaining control of the commercial relationship.
- Lead Consultative Discovery: Run discovery conversations that uncover real pain around false positives, alert fatigue, limited security resources, and the gap between vulnerability findings and actionable remediation. Understand the customer's world before proposing solutions.
- Get Hands-On With the Product: Develop deep product knowledge to conduct meaningful first conversations, understand how our AI agents investigate and triage vulnerabilities, and speak credibly about technical workflows. Our strongest AEs can demo the product themselves.
- Pioneer Our Go-to-Market: Contribute directly to sales methodologies, playbooks, and best practices as we build the GTM function. Provide market feedback that shapes product roadmap and positioning. Refine our ideal customer profile and target segments based on what you learn in the field.
- Collaborate With Engineering and Product: Work closely with technical teams to communicate customer needs, participate in feedback loops, and bring a data-driven perspective to how we prioritise and position capabilities.
What You Need to Be Successful:
- Cybersecurity Sales Experience: Direct experience selling cybersecurity or security-adjacent products -- vulnerability management, appsec, cloud security, pen testing, SIEM/SOAR, email security, or DSPM. You understand the landscape well enough to hold your own with CISOs and Heads of Vulnerability Management from the first conversation.
- Early-Stage Sales DNA: At least one role at a Series A-C company where you built the sales process, generated pipeline without a recognised brand behind you, and created methodologies from scratch. You know what it takes to sell when nobody's heard of your company yet.
- Track Record of Overperformance: Consistent quota attainment above 100%, ideally with demonstrable outperformance against peers. You know your numbers and they speak for themselves.
- Consultative Selling Approach: Experience with solution-based selling focused on customer outcomes. You lead with curiosity, work to understand client objectives before proposing solutions, and build trust-based relationships where customers see you as a partner rather than a vendor.
- Technical Curiosity: Genuine interest in going deep on the product, understanding how it works, and engaging credibly with technical buyers. You're the kind of AE who requests sandbox access, studies competitor products, and wants to understand the engineering behind what you're selling.
- Strong Prospecting Muscle: Proven ability to build pipeline through outbound activity -- cold calling, LinkedIn, events, creative approaches. You have a specific, repeatable process for generating qualified opportunities.
- Enterprise Deal Navigation: Proven ability to map complex organisational structures, build champions, manage multi-stakeholder buying processes, and close deals of $100K+ in value.
Nice to haves:
- Experience selling to cloud security or DevSecOps teams specifically.
- Established network in financial services or cloud-focused technology companies.
- Background selling AI/ML solutions or products with an agentic/automation component.
- Active presence in the security community -- LinkedIn thought leadership, conference speaking, or industry engagement.
Why Join Us:
- Ground Floor Opportunity: Shape the sales motion of a well-funded Series A security startup from day one. You'll be building the foundation that scales, not inheriting someone else's process.
- We're building at the intersection of generative AI (LLMs and agents) and cybersecurity, solving one of the most pressing challenges security teams face today: the overwhelming volume of vulnerability findings that consume resources without improving security posture.
- Expert Team: Work alongside hands–on leaders with experience in Big Tech and Scale–ups. Our team has been part of the leadership teams behind multiple acquisitions and an IPO. You'll collaborate daily with engineers, product, and leadership who are deeply technical and invested in your success.
- Impactful Work: Cybersecurity is a force for good. Help security teams focus on what actually matters by eliminating noise and false positives, ultimately improving the security posture of major organisations.
Account Executive (UK) employer: Theory Ventures
Maze is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture, perfect for those looking to make a significant impact in a fast-paced environment. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and development, team members are encouraged to take ownership of their roles while benefiting from the flexibility of remote work. The unique opportunity to shape the operational backbone of an AI-driven company ensures that every contribution is valued and recognised.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Account Executive (UK)
✨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 Account Executive (UK) at Theory Ventures, 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 Theory Ventures. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a Account Executive (UK). Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!
We think you need these skills to ace Account Executive (UK)
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 Theory Ventures:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for Theory Ventures. 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 Theory Ventures
✨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 Theory Ventures 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 Theory Ventures 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 Theory Ventures’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.