Founding Account Executive

REF Agency; Zürich; Vor Ort; CHF 120.000 - 190.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Salary + Equity

Visa sponsorship

Founding team collaboration

Own commercial function

Head of Sales progression

AI technology projects

Zusammenfassung

REF Agency in Zurich, Switzerland is seeking a founding Account Executive to join an ambitious AI security startup. You will own the full sales cycle, from prospecting to closing, and help define the GTM strategy with the CEO.

You'll build outbound pipeline, conduct discovery, and win enterprise deals across critical infrastructure sectors. This role offers autonomy in a fast-paced environment, with a clear path to Head of Sales as the company scales, and visa sponsorship with relocation support

Qualifikationen

• Minimum 3 years of full-cycle B2B sales experience.
• Proven success generating outbound pipeline without relying on inbound leads.
• Experience in a startup or early-stage technology company.
• Comfortable selling technical solutions to senior decision-makers.
• Strong commercial, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent organisational skills with disciplined CRM management.
• Willing to relocate to or already based in Zurich.
• Nationality from a NATO or allied country (mandatory client requirement).

Aufgaben

• Own the full B2B sales cycle from prospecting through to closing.
• Generate your own outbound pipeline through strategic business development.
• Conduct discovery meetings, product demonstrations and commercial negotiations.
• Build relationships with enterprise customers across critical infrastructure, industrial and security sectors.
• Manage complex procurement processes, including pilots, tenders and POC engagements.
• Convert pilot projects into long-term commercial partnerships.
• Partner closely with the CEO on strategic opportunities while progressively taking ownership of the commercial function.
• Maintain accurate CRM data, sales forecasts and pipeline reporting.
• Continuously improve the sales playbook based on customer feedback and market insights.
• Collaborate with Product and Engineering teams to influence product direction through customer learnings.

Kenntnisse

Full-cycle B2B sales

Outbound pipeline

Startup experience

Selling technical solutions

CRM management

Relocation readiness

Negotiation skills

Jobbeschreibung

Zurich, Switzerland | On-site | Full-time

About the Opportunity

An innovative, venture-backed AI company is building the next generation of intelligent security technology, transforming how organisations monitor and protect critical infrastructure. By combining artificial intelligence, robotics and computer vision, their platform enables businesses to automate security operations without replacing existing hardware.

As they continue to scale, they are looking for their first commercial hire to build the sales function from the ground up alongside the founders.

This is a unique opportunity for someone who enjoys creating rather than following processes and wants to have a direct impact on the commercial success of a fast-growing technology company.

The Role

As the Founding Account Executive, you will work directly with the CEO to establish and scale the company's go-to-market strategy.

You'll own the complete sales cycle—from identifying prospects and generating pipeline to running enterprise sales processes and closing strategic deals. Beyond selling, you'll help define the sales methodology, shape the Ideal Customer Profile (ICP), and build the commercial playbook that future sales hires will follow.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys early-stage environments, thrives with autonomy, and wants to grow into a future Head of Sales leadership position.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the full B2B sales cycle from prospecting through to closing.

• Generate your own outbound pipeline through strategic business development.

• Conduct discovery meetings, product demonstrations and commercial negotiations.

• Build relationships with enterprise customers across critical infrastructure, industrial and security sectors.

• Manage complex procurement processes, including pilots, tenders and Proof of Concept (POC) engagements.

• Convert pilot projects into long-term commercial partnerships.

• Partner closely with the CEO on strategic opportunities while progressively taking ownership of the commercial function.

• Maintain accurate CRM data, sales forecasts and pipeline reporting.

• Continuously improve the sales playbook based on customer feedback and market insights.

• Collaborate with Product and Engineering teams to influence product direction through customer learnings.

Requirements

• Minimum 3 years of full-cycle B2B sales experience with a proven track record of closing new business.

• Demonstrated success generating outbound pipeline without relying on inbound leads.

• Experience working within a startup or early-stage technology company.

• Comfortable selling technical solutions to senior decision-makers.

• Strong commercial, negotiation and relationship-building skills.

• Excellent organisational skills with disciplined CRM management.

• Highly self-motivated, proactive and comfortable operating in fast-changing environments.

• Willing to relocate to or already based in Zurich.

• Nationality from a NATO or allied country (mandatory client requirement).

Preferred Experience

Experience in one or more of the following areas would be highly advantageous:

• Enterprise Software or SaaS

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Robotics

• Computer Vision

• Physical Security Technology

• DeepTech

• Industrial Automation

• Government or Defence sales

• Procurement and public tenders

• Subscription or recurring revenue business models

• Proof of Concept (POC) sales

• Land-and-expand enterprise sales strategies

• Existing network within the DACH or UK security market

• German language skills

What You'll Receive

• Competitive salary and equity package.

• Visa sponsorship and relocation support.

• Direct collaboration with an experienced founding team.

• The opportunity to build and own the commercial function from day one.

• A clear progression path towards Head of Sales as the company scales.

• The chance to work on cutting-edge AI technology solving real-world security challenges.

Why Join?

This is not a company with an established sales playbook waiting for someone to execute it.

This is an opportunity to build that playbook yourself.

If you're motivated by ownership, entrepreneurship and the challenge of helping scale an ambitious deep-tech startup from its earliest commercial stage, this role offers a genuine opportunity to shape both the business and your own career.