Job summary
Job post source
This job is from a recruiting firm hiring for a separate company.
Job overview
The Founding Account Executive role at a Seed-stage AI startup involves driving SaaS sales and building the sales organization from scratch, impacting the company's growth and market presence.
Responsibilities and impact
The AE will manage inbound funnels, SDR motions, and mid-market expansions, handling West Coast territories with both inbound and outbound sales opportunities, focusing on deals sized $25K–$60K ARR.
Experience and skills
Candidates need 2–5+ years of SaaS sales experience, preferably with familiarity in tech stacks like HubSpot, Clay, Unified, and Apollo for demand generation and automation.
Work environment and culture
The company promotes an early-stage, ownership-driven culture with a hybrid work model requiring presence in the San Francisco office three times a week, encouraging iterative improvements and freedom in sales strategy.
Company information
The company is a VC-backed, MIT-founded AI startup focused on developer tools and documentation, with $10M+ raised, 140+ customers, and leadership from former Microsoft engineers.
Team overview
The AE reports directly to the CEO and will be the first sales hire, with opportunities to build the sales team and strategy.
Job location and travel
The role is based in San Francisco with a hybrid work setup, requiring office presence three days a week near Salesforce Tower.
Application process
The interview process includes screenings by the recruiting firm, CEO, and CTO or strategic advisor, with flexible application methods including email, LinkedIn, or phone contact.
Unique job features
The role offers the unique opportunity to build a sales organization from zero in a cutting-edge AI startup with strong early traction and a tech-forward environment.
Company overview
Strive - GTM Talent Partner is a specialized recruitment firm focusing on connecting high-growth technology companies with top-tier go-to-market (GTM) talent, including sales, marketing, and customer success professionals. The company generates revenue by providing tailored recruitment services, leveraging its deep industry expertise to match candidates with roles that align with their skills and career goals. Founded with a mission to empower tech companies to scale effectively, Strive has built a reputation for its strategic approach to talent acquisition and its commitment to fostering long-term partnerships. Candidates should note Strive’s emphasis on innovation, adaptability, and its role in shaping the success of emerging tech businesses.
How to land this job
Position your resume to highlight 2–5+ years of SaaS sales experience, emphasizing your ability to build sales pipelines from scratch and manage mid-market expansion, as this role requires owning the inbound funnel and SDR motion.
Showcase your familiarity with sales tech stacks like HubSpot, Apollo, or similar CRM and automation tools, and your comfort working in hybrid environments with a strong ownership and iterative mindset.
Apply through multiple channels including Strive's corporate site, LinkedIn, and directly reaching out via email or phone as suggested, increasing your chances by being proactive and visible.
Connect on LinkedIn with current Strive employees or those in the GTM and sales divisions, using ice breakers such as referencing the company’s AI x DevTools focus, the unique opportunity to build a sales org from zero, or mentioning admiration for leadership’s engineering background from Microsoft.
Optimize your resume for ATS by incorporating keywords from the job description like 'SaaS sales,' 'quota-carrying,' 'HubSpot,' 'inbound funnel,' 'mid-market expansion,' and 'AI-powered platform' to ensure it passes initial automated screenings.
Use Jennie Johnson's Power Apply feature to automate tailoring your resume, identify all available application channels, and find relevant LinkedIn contacts to network with, freeing up your time to prepare for interviews and strategy planning.
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