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Founding Account Executive Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Diagonal

Founding Account Executive

Minneapolis, MN · On-site +1

The Role We're looking for a Founding Account Executive to help build the foundation of our go-to-market motion. This is a true early-stage sales role. You won't be handed a mature pipeline or a ...

Turgon AI

Founding Account Executive

San Francisco, CA · Remote

About the Role As the Founding Account Executive at Turgon, you will have ownership of the full sales cycle - from identifying leads to closing deals with mid-market and large enterprises. You will ...

CorePilot

Founding Account Executive

The Role We are looking for a founding Account Executive to help us exceed our growth goals. If you are an AE with a passion for aviation technology and early-stage startups, we'd love to connect! As ...

Diagonal

Founding Account Executive

Boston, MA · Remote

The Role We're looking for a Founding Account Executive to help build the foundation of our go-to-market motion. This is a true early-stage sales role. You won't be handed a mature pipeline or a ...

Diagonal

Founding Account Executive

New York, NY · Remote

The Role We're looking for a Founding Account Executive to help build the foundation of our go-to-market motion. This is a true early-stage sales role. You won't be handed a mature pipeline or a ...

Diagonal

Founding Account Executive

Minneapolis, MN · Remote

The Role We're looking for a Founding Account Executive to help build the foundation of our go-to-market motion. This is a true early-stage sales role. You won't be handed a mature pipeline or a ...

AssistIQ

Founding Account Executive

Columbus, OH · On-site +1

About the Role As a Founding Account Executive, you'll be a key leader on our go-to-market team-owning the entire sales cycle from prospecting to close and helping shape our playbook as we scale. You ...

AssistIQ

Founding Account Executive

Columbus, OH · On-site

About the Role As a Founding Account Executive, you'll be a key leader on our go-to-market team-owning the entire sales cycle from prospecting to close and helping shape our playbook as we scale. You ...

Diagonal

Founding Account Executive

Minneapolis, MN · Remote

The Role We're looking for a Founding Account Executive to help build the foundation of our go-to-market motion. This is a true early-stage sales role. You won't be handed a mature pipeline or a ...

Diagonal

Founding Account Executive

Boston, MA · Remote

The Role We're looking for a Founding Account Executive to help build the foundation of our go-to-market motion. This is a true early-stage sales role. You won't be handed a mature pipeline or a ...

Passionfroot

Founding Account Executive

New York, NY · On-site +1

Founding Account Executive @ Passionfroot As our Founding AE , you'll play a central role in scaling Passionfroot across mid-market and enterprise customers. Working closely with the CEO, GTM Lead ...

Diagonal

Founding Account Executive

New York, NY · Remote

The Role We're looking for a Founding Account Executive to help build the foundation of our go-to-market motion. This is a true early-stage sales role. You won't be handed a mature pipeline or a ...

Bernard

Founding Account Executive

New York, NY · On-site

$160K - $210K/yr

The Role You are Bernard's Founding Account Executive. You close deals. You own the number. You are the person who turns pipeline into revenue. Your buyers are appliance repair company owners. They ...

Auctor

Founding Account Executive

New York, NY · On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

About the Role Auctor is hiring its Founding Account Executive to build the sales motion from the ground up and establish the company's earliest and most important relationships with Systems ...

AssistIQ

Founding Account Executive

Columbus, OH · Remote

About the Role As a Founding Account Executive, you'll be a key leader on our go-to-market team--owning the entire sales cycle from prospecting to close and helping shape our playbook as we scale.

Auctor AI

Founding Account Executive

New York, NY · On-site

$140K - $250K/yr

Role Overview As a Founding Account Executive at Auctor, you will help own and build our sales motion from the ground up. You will work directly with the CRO, Marketing, Product, Engineering, and ...

Greenboard

Founding Account Executive

New York, NY · On-site

$175K - $300K/yr

Our founding team includes engineers who have scaled products at Amazon, Google, and multiple ... As an Account Executive at Greenboard, you'll own the full sales cycle for complex, high-impact ...

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All JobsFounding Account Executive Jobs

Founding Account Executive information

See salary details

$30K

$79.2K

$143K

How much do founding account executive jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for founding account executive in the United States is $79,235.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,000.00 and $95,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What unique challenges and opportunities can a Founding Account Executive expect in an early-stage startup environment?

As a Founding Account Executive at an early-stage startup, you'll often work in a fast-paced setting where processes are still being built, requiring flexibility and a proactive mindset. You'll have the opportunity to shape the sales strategy, influence product development by sharing customer feedback, and work closely with both leadership and cross-functional teams. Challenges may include managing ambiguity, wearing multiple hats, and building a customer base from the ground up. However, this role offers significant growth potential, visibility, and the chance to directly impact the company's success and culture.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Founding Account Executive, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Founding Account Executive, you need a proven track record in B2B sales, deep product knowledge, and the ability to build and manage a sales pipeline, often supported by a bachelor's degree in business or a related field. Familiarity with CRM systems like Salesforce, sales enablement tools, and, occasionally, certifications in sales methodologies are important. Outstanding communication, entrepreneurial drive, and adaptability make someone stand out in this early-stage, high-growth role. These skills are crucial for driving revenue, shaping sales processes, and establishing a strong customer base in a startup environment.

What is the difference between Founding Account Executive vs Sales Development Representative?

AspectFounding Account ExecutiveSales Development Representative
ResponsibilitiesClosing deals, managing client relationships, driving revenueGenerating leads, qualifying prospects, setting appointments
Required SkillsSales expertise, negotiation, product knowledgeCommunication, prospecting, research skills
Work EnvironmentDirect client interaction, sales meetings, negotiationsResearch, outreach, lead qualification
Industry UsageStartups, SaaS, tech companiesTech, SaaS, B2B sales environments

While both roles are vital in sales, the Founding Account Executive focuses on closing deals and building client relationships, often in early-stage companies. The Sales Development Representative primarily generates and qualifies leads to support the sales pipeline. Understanding these differences helps candidates target the right roles based on their skills and career goals.

What are Founding Account Executives?

Founding Account Executives are among the first sales hires at a startup or early-stage company. They play a crucial role in building the initial customer base, developing sales processes, and shaping the company's go-to-market strategy. Unlike standard Account Executives, Founding Account Executives often work closely with founders, contribute to product feedback, and help define the company’s sales culture. Their work is essential for establishing early revenue streams and setting the foundation for future growth.
More about Founding Account Executive jobs
What cities are hiring for Founding Account Executive jobs? Cities with the most Founding Account Executive job openings:
What states have the most Founding Account Executive jobs? States with the most job openings for Founding Account Executive jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Founding Account Executive jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Founding Account Executive jobs are:
Founding Account Executive jobs near you
Infographic showing various Founding Account Executive job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,235 per year, or $38.1 per hour.
Founding Account Executive

Founding Account Executive

Diagonal

Minneapolis, MN • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

About Diagonal
Diagonal is building the future of personalized software. Our core team has deep experience in vertical SaaS and crafting systems at scale. We're backed by leading investors and are setting the foundation for a platform that redefines how software adapts to its users.
The Role
We're looking for a Founding Account Executive to help build the foundation of our go-to-market motion.
This is a true early-stage sales role. You won't be handed a mature pipeline or a polished playbook - you'll help create them. We're looking for someone who enjoys the full sales process: sourcing prospects, cold calling, outbound outreach, running demos, and closing deals.
You'll work directly with the founders to shape how Diagonal grows. That means refining messaging, identifying ideal customer profiles, experimenting with outbound strategies, and helping turn early traction into a scalable sales engine.
Our customers are SMB businesses looking for software that adapts to how they operate instead of forcing them into rigid workflows. Your job is to help them understand what's possible and guide them through that transformation.
If you thrive in fast-moving environments, enjoy building momentum from scratch, and love the process of winning customers, you'll thrive here.
Responsibilities
  • Own the SMB sales cycle from outbound prospecting through close.
  • Source and qualify new opportunities through cold calling, email outreach, LinkedIn, referrals, and creative outbound strategies.
  • Run discovery calls and product demos tailored to each customer's workflows and pain points.
  • Build and manage your own pipeline while maintaining strong CRM hygiene.
  • Work directly with founders to refine messaging, positioning, and outbound strategy.
  • Gather customer feedback and help shape both product direction and go-to-market strategy.
  • Experiment with outbound tactics, messaging, and sales processes to improve conversion rates.
  • Develop a deep understanding of Diagonal's platform and communicate its value clearly to business owners and operators.

A Final Note
This role is for someone who wants to help build the sales engine from the ground up - not just plug into an existing machine. Success in this role means not only closing new business, but helping us define a repeatable SMB sales motion. In your first 6-12 months, you'll be expected to generate qualified pipeline, close early customers, surface repeatable messaging and objections, and help turn founder-led selling into a scalable process.
You'll have significant ownership, direct access to the founders, and the opportunity to shape how Diagonal grows. We're looking for someone hungry, resourceful, and excited to create momentum every day.
Requirements
  • 2+ years of experience in SMB sales, outbound sales, or account executive roles at a SaaS company.
  • Comfortable prospecting and cold calling consistently.
  • Strong discovery and demo skills - able to guide conversations naturally and uncover customer pain points.
  • Highly self-directed and organized in a remote environment.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Competitive, driven, and excited by early-stage environments.
  • Ability to move quickly, adapt fast, and wear multiple hats.
  • Experience selling vertical SaaS, workflow software, or operational tools is a plus.
  • Startup experience is a plus, especially at an early-stage company.

Benefits
  • Competitive salary + commission + equity
  • Fully remote team
  • Discretionary PTO
  • US Only: Top-tier Health Insurance (Medical, Vision, Dental)
  • Top-of-the-line computers/equipment
  • Paid parental leave

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