Account Executive (Maternity Cover - High-Growth Step-Up Opportunity)

Akeneo; Milano; Hybrid; EUR 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work from Anywhere: up to 30 days/year

Hybrid Working Budget: €500

25 days holiday per year

Flexible working hours

Parental leave

Job summary

Akeneo is seeking an Account Executive on a maternity-cover basis to close mid-market/enterprise deals in a full-cycle capacity. You will manage a robust pipeline, negotiate terms, and own the contract process with support from marketing, sales engineering, and success teams.

You will operate in a high-growth, collaborative EMEA environment, leveraging a competitive base and attractive commission/OTC structure. This fixed-term role offers a path to a permanent senior closing position.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years in a closing role selling B2B SaaS
• Proven outbound experience
• Italian and English fluency (Spanish a plus)
• Comfort presenting in front of C-levels
• Autonomous but collaborative

Responsibilities

• Manage and grow a pipeline of mid-market accounts, driving new business while fostering long-term relationships with clients and key decision-makers.
• Lead on complex sales cycles with regular communication, adjust strategies, and manage negotiations to close high-value deals.
• Collaborate with sales engineering, marketing, and customer success to deliver tailored solutions.
• Work with strategic partners to identify and close opportunities and leverage relationships.
• Develop deep product and market insight to create compelling value propositions for mid-market buyers.
• Use Salesforce to track deal stages and provide accurate revenue forecasts.

Skills

New business development

Outbound selling

B2B SaaS sales

Stakeholder communication

Italian language

English language

Salesforce

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Akeneo is the leading AI-powered Product Data Platform that helps brands, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers unify product data and pricing to power better product experiences, smarter decisions, and business growth in an AI-driven commerce world.

We're all about experience - from the best-in-class product we build to the inspiring environment we create for our employees. You'll grow in a dynamic environment where your ideas and expertise will make an impact from day one. Our flexible work model empowers you to thrive, balancing professional success with personal fulfilment. At Akeneo, you’ll be part of a supportive and collaborative team that values open communication, shared successes, and meaningful relationships.

Learn more about our culture and values via our Career page.

Job description

Account Executive (Maternity Cover – High-Growth Step-Up Opportunity) Are you an elite Business Development Representative or perhaps an early in career Account Executive ready to transition into a full closing role? Join us as an Account Executive (Maternity cover) at Akeneo, where you'll play a pivotal role in expanding our presence by selling innovative solutions to leading brands, retailers, manufacturers and distributors. Reporting to the local Sales Manager, you'll be part of the EMEA sales team, known for its strong sense of collaboration and collective success, where every contribution is recognized and celebrated.

Why apply?

• Your path to AE starts now: Many companies require years of waiting for an internal AE promotion- we are offering you that closing seat on day one.This is a fixed-term contract covering maternity leave, but we treat it as a premier career accelerator. You will manage the full sales cycle, close mid-market/enterprise deals, and build a world-class closing portfolio.

• Full-Cycle Closing Mastery: Move past cold sourcing. You will own negotiation, legal/procurement navigation, and contract signings.

• AE Mentorship: Receive deep-dive enablement, direct coaching on modern sales methodologies, and executive visibility.

• A Respected Tech Brand on Your CV: Graduate from this contract not as a BDR hoping for a break, but as a proven Account Executive ready for any top-tier tech sales floor.

• An AE role with AE Compensation: To match the value you bring, we are offering a competitive base salary and an attractive commission structure that rewards your immediate impact.

What happens at the end of the contract?

While this specific position is a maternity cover with a flexible end date tied to our team member's return, we are a fast-growing organization, and those that exceed targets and help us scale will always be our priority as we scale. Plus - should the leave be extended or organizational needs shift, you can be first in line for a permanent role. While we can’t guarantee a permanent slot from day one, we can guarantee you will leave this role as a fully seasoned, highly marketable Account Executive with a proven track record.

Responsibilities:

• Manage and grow a pipeline of mid-market accounts, driving new business while fostering long-term relationships with clients and key decision-makers.

• Act as a lead on complex sales cycles by maintaining regular communication with prospects, adjusting strategies and managing negotiations while addressing the concerns of multiple stakeholders to close high-value deals.

• Collaborate closely with internal teams, including sales engineering, marketing, and customer success, to deliver tailored solutions that meet client needs and align with company goals.

• Work with Akeneo's strategic partners to identify and close sales opportunities, ensuring seamless collaboration and leveraging partner relationships to drive joint success.

• Build and maintain a deep knowledge of the company's products and market trends to create compelling value propositions that resonate with mid-market buyers and address their unique business challenges.

• Leverage CRM tools (like Salesforce) to track and update deal stages, providing accurate and insightful sales forecasts that keep leadership informed on pipeline health and revenue potential.

What we look for

• You have +2-4 years in a closing role selling B2B SaaS solutions

• You bring solid new business experience and a proven ability to execute outbound strategies

• You speak Italian and English fluently (Spanish a plus!)

• You are comfortable presenting in front of C-levels and have strong communication skills

• You can work autonomously but also value collaboration and teamwork.

You don't need to tick every box. If you are excited about this opportunity but your experience is slightly different, we still want to hear from you!

Opportunities to step into a full-cycle role don’t come around often. If you’re a Senior BDR/SDR who loves sourcing pipeline but is ready to own the deal to the finish line, this is your chance. Come gain invaluable closing experience, level up your sales education, and maximize your earning potential.

Interview process

1. 30-minute screening call with a member of our Talent Acquisition team

2. 45-minute interview with the Manager of Sales.

3. 45-minute interview with the VP of Sales

4. 60-minute presentation including a pitch exercise.

Work Environment

Supporting work-life balance.

• Holiday: 25 days per calendar year in addition to local public holidays.

• Flexible Working: Flexible working hours.

• Work from Anywhere Scheme: Option to work from anywhere in the world for up to 30 days per year.

• Hybrid Working Budget: €500 personal budget to maximise your home office environment.

Inclusivity

Fostering diversity, equity and inclusion.

• Parental Leave: 5-month paid maternity leave. 10-day + 2-week paid leave for the second parent.

• Gradual Return to Work Programme: Available after maternity or adoption leave.

• Employee Volunteering Programme: 2 volunteering days per year dedicated to supporting the charities of your choice.

• Employee Resource Groups: Join our several ERGs and actively promote diversity and inclusion within our company.

• Diversity & Inclusion: Akeneo provides and ensures a safe work environment for everyone, regardless of seniority, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, mental illness, neuro(a)typicality, personal appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, age, religion, nationality, or other characteristics. Akeneo is deeply anti-racist, anti-homophobic, anti-sexist, anti-ableist, and inclusive. We create the right conditions for you to feel safe and be yourself.

Growth & Development

Unlocking your potential.

• Learning & Development: €1,000 personal professional development allowance per year.

• Women in Leadership Programme: A leadership development experience where women at Akeneo grow their impact, connect with peers, and lead confidently on their own terms.

• Career Opportunities: Career paths and internal mobility opportunities.

• Onboarding: Top-notch 8-week onboarding programme to ensure you start on the right foot.

Wellbeing

• Mental Health Support: Access individual and confidential sessions with a mental health practitioner or coach of your choice.

For more information about benefits, don’t hesitate to contact our Talent Acquisition team.

This role has a base salary range of 50.000,00 - 70.000,00 euros.

This role can attract a commissionable bonus of up to 50.000,00 - 70.000,00 euros.

This role can have an OTE of 100.000,00 - 140.000,00 euros.