Founding AE

talentpluto•San Francisco, CA

5h•$80,000 - $110,000•Onsite

About The Position

Our partner is an early-stage AI startup building software focused on improving how modern revenue teams operate. Their platform helps sales organizations automate operational workflows, improve internal coordination, and generate deeper insights across the sales process. The company recently completed a leading startup accelerator program, raised a strong Seed round from top-tier investors, and is experiencing rapid growth with a lean, highly technical team. They operate in a highly collaborative environment where GTM and engineering work closely together to shape both the product and customer experience. Our partner is hiring a Founding Account Executive to help build and scale the company’s sales motion from the ground up. This is not a traditional AE role focused solely on closing inbound pipeline. The ideal candidate will be highly outbound-oriented, capable of generating their own pipeline, and excited to help build the company’s outbound and GTM playbook alongside the founders. The company already has early traction and foundational outbound systems in place, but they are looking for someone who can help turn those early signals into a scalable and repeatable sales motion. Because the company actively uses its own product internally, this role also requires strong product intuition and the ability to work cross-functionally with technical teams. The Founding AE will regularly provide customer feedback, influence product direction, and help shape the customer experience through close collaboration with product and engineering. This is a high-ownership opportunity designed for someone who thrives in ambiguity, enjoys experimentation, and wants to play a major role in helping define how an early-stage AI company scales.

Requirements

1–5+ years of closing experience in SaaS or startup sales environments
Experience working at a Seed, Series A, or Series B startup
Strong outbound prospecting and pipeline generation experience
Demonstrated ability to operate independently and build process in ambiguous environments
Strong communication and product feedback skills
Comfortable working cross-functionally with product and engineering teams
High ownership mentality and strong initiative
Willingness to work in-person in San Francisco

Nice To Haves

Experience helping build outbound playbooks or early GTM motions
Prior SDR-to-AE progression in a high-growth startup
Experience influencing product direction through customer insights
Experience selling technical or workflow-driven SaaS products
Experience in AI, sales tooling, or revenue technology environments
Strong curiosity, experimentation mindset, and builder mentality

Responsibilities

Own full-cycle sales from outbound prospecting through close
Build pipeline independently through outbound and strategic prospecting
Help develop and refine the company’s outbound and GTM playbook
Run product demos, customer calls, and closing conversations
Partner closely with founders on sales strategy and execution
Provide structured customer feedback to product and engineering teams
Help identify new customer segments, messaging, and positioning opportunities
Operate with a high degree of autonomy and ownership in a fast-moving environment