Founding Account Executive

Clera

San Francisco, CA

On-site

Who this role is best for

Best suited to self-driven, process-oriented candidates with B2B SaaS experience working in early-stage AI or machine learning startups.

Best fit for

Candidates who can independently build a sales motion and define customer profiles in early-stage tech companies
— “Partner with the founder to define the ideal customer profile, sales messaging, and playbook.”
Individuals with a history of managing full sales cycles and closing deals from initial outreach to contract signature
— “Experience generating and managing outbound pipeline and closing deals independently from initial contact through signature.”
Candidates comfortable working in a high-ambiguity environment and building processes from scratch
— “Comfort with ambiguity, strong ownership, and the ability to build processes from scratch.”

Things to consider

On-site presence in San Francisco is mandatory, with a six-day workweek expected
— “On-site in San Francisco, California. This role follows a six-day workweek.”
No visa sponsorship available, requiring U.S. work authorization
— “Must be authorized to work in the United States.”

How to stand out

Highlight your ability to create and own full sales processes from initial outreach to contract closure
— “Manage the full sales cycle, from discovery through negotiation and contract signature.”
Showcase your independent sales execution and pipeline generation capabilities
— “Generate your own pipeline through outbound prospecting and cold outreach, without dedicated SDR support.”

Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · LowAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · Individual

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

Generate and manage outbound pipeline
Manage full sales cycle

Typical background

1+ year of experience in account executive, sales development, or enterprise sales roles

Skills & requirements

Required

Outbound ProspectingCold OutreachFull Sales Cycle ManagementSales Messaging And Value Proposition Development

Preferred

Experience Selling To Technical Or Product-focused BuyersExperience With AI, Machine Learning, Developer Tools, Or Early-stage Startups

Stack & domain

Account ExecutiveSales DevelopmentEnterprise SalesB2B Saas SalesSales MessagingValue PropositionsIdeal Customer ProfilesAmbiguityOwnershipProcess BuildingAIMachine LearningDeveloper ToolsEarly-stage Startups

About the role

Original posting from Clera via Ashby

ABOUT THE ROLE
Join an early-stage AI and machine learning company as its first Account Executive. You will work directly with the founder to build a repeatable sales motion, taking the business from founder-led selling to a scalable revenue process.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Generate your own pipeline through outbound prospecting and cold outreach, without dedicated SDR support.
Identify and engage relevant prospects, then lead substantive sales conversations.
Manage the full sales cycle, from discovery through negotiation and contract signature.
Partner with the founder to define the ideal customer profile, sales messaging, and playbook.
Own revenue outcomes and establish the foundations of a scalable sales process.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
At least one year of experience in account executive, sales development, or enterprise sales roles, including prior Account Executive experience.
Experience generating and managing outbound pipeline and closing deals independently from initial contact through signature.
B2B SaaS sales experience, with ownership of the full sales cycle and revenue targets.
Experience developing sales messaging or value propositions and defining ideal customer profiles or target segments.
Comfort with ambiguity, strong ownership, and the ability to build processes from scratch.
Experience selling to technical or product-focused buyers is helpful, as is exposure to AI, machine learning, developer tools, or early-stage startups.
Must be authorized to work in the United States.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Base salary: $80,000 to $120,000 annually. Visa sponsorship is not available.
LOCATION
On-site in San Francisco, California. This role follows a six-day workweek.

Source: Clera careers (Ashby)