Account Executive - Chicago

Black Kite; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Flexible healthcare options

Paid time off

Retirement savings

Job summary

Black Kite, the global leader in third-party cyber risk intelligence, seeks a Commercial Account Executive to own the full sales cycle in Chicago and the Midwest. You will secure net-new business by engaging security and risk leadership with a consultative, problem-centered approach, backed by a capable Sales Engineering and Marketing team.

Ideal candidates bring 3+ years of SaaS/cybersecurity sales experience, a strong regional network, and a data-driven mindset.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of full-cycle sales experience in SaaS, cybersecurity, data, or analytics with a track record of meeting or exceeding quota.
• Experience selling to security or risk leadership (CISO, CIO, CRO) at SMB or commercial level.
• Consultative selling approach focusing on customer problems over product pitches.

Responsibilities

• Own full sales cycle from prospecting to closing net-new business across the Chicago/Midwest territory.
• Develop and maintain a healthy pipeline through outbound prospecting, partnerships, and marketing leads.
• Engage with security and risk leadership (CISO, CIO) and operational buyers to close deals.

Skills

Full-cycle SaaS sales

Cybersecurity domain knowledge

Regional network Chicago/Midwest

Sales forecasting & Salesforce

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

About this position

ABOUT BLACK KITE

Black Kite is the global leader in third-party cyber risk intelligence, trusted by more than 3,000 organizations worldwide. We give security and business leaders a continuous, outside-in view of their entire vendor ecosystem — translating complex cyber, financial, and compliance signals into clear, actionable risk intelligence.

We go beyond open standards-based cyber ratings. Black Kite helps organizations make smarter risk decisions, strengthen business resilience, and scale their third-party cyber risk management programs in an increasingly complex digital environment. Our work has earned consistent recognition from customers and industry analysts alike.

WHY BLACK KITE

We're a fast-moving, high-impact team solving one of the most critical challenges in cybersecurity today. If you're looking to do meaningful work alongside sharp, collaborative people — and grow your career in a space that matters — you're in the right place.

THE OPPORTUNITY

As a Commercial Account Executive covering Chicago and the Midwest, you own the full sales cycle for small and mid-sized businesses in your territory — from first outreach to closed deal. You'll bring Black Kite's third-party cyber risk management platform to security and risk leaders who need a smarter way to manage vendor exposure, and you'll do it with the backing of a product that genuinely differentiates. This is the right role if you're a hunter who thrives in a high-velocity, consultative sales environment and wants to grow with a category leader.

• A defined territory with real whitespace — the Midwest commercial segment is an active growth priority for Black Kite
• A product that solves a real, board-level problem — third-party cyber risk is not a nice-to-have; it's a regulatory and business imperative
• Full sales support: SDR coverage, marketing pipeline contribution, and a Sales Engineering team that knows the product cold
• A leadership team that is accessible, data-driven, and invested in your development
• Competitive base + uncapped commission with accelerators above quota

WHAT YOU'LL OWN

• Full sales cycle ownership: prospect, qualify, advance, and close net-new business across the Chicago/Midwest territory
• Pipeline development: build and maintain a healthy, active pipeline of qualified SMB opportunities through outbound prospecting, channel partnerships, and marketing-sourced leads
• Executive engagement: navigate and sell into security and risk leadership (CISO, CIO, Head of TPRM) as well as operational buyers
• Channel collaboration: partner with regional channel partners to co-sell and expand market coverage across the territory
• Forecast accuracy: maintain clean, current opportunity documentation in Salesforce and deliver reliable forecast reporting to leadership
• Cross-functional partnership: work closely with Sales Engineering, Marketing, and Customer Success to move deals forward and set customers up for long-term success
• Feedback loop: bring field intelligence back to Marketing and Product — your conversations with prospects shape how Black Kite goes to market

WHAT YOU BRING

• 3+ years of full-cycle sales experience in SaaS, cybersecurity, data, or analytics — with a track record of hitting or exceeding quota
• Experience selling to security or risk leadership (CISO, CIO, CRO, Head of TPRM/TPCRM) at the SMB or commercial level
• Consultative selling approach: you lead with the customer's problem, not the product pitch
• Strong regional network in Chicago and the broader Midwest — existing relationships with end-users or channel partners is a plus
• Comfortable managing a high-velocity pipeline across multiple simultaneous opportunities
• Skilled at navigating multi-stakeholder deals and building relationships across levels of an organization
• Clean Salesforce hygiene and strong organizational discipline
• Clear, confident communication — written, verbal, and in front of an executive audience
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience

PREFERRED

• Prior experience in the cybersecurity or third-party risk management space
• Familiarity with TPCRM, vendor risk, or compliance-driven sales cycles
• Established relationships with MSSPs, VARs, or regional channel partners in the Midwest

The expected total compensation range for this role is $180,000-$210,000 (base pay + commission). Compensation at Black Kite extends well beyond base pay — our total rewards program includes performance-based bonuses, equity, flexible healthcare options, paid time off, and retirement savings. This range reflects a nationwide market spectrum and will vary based on qualifications, role scope, complexity, and location.