SALES Founding Sales Lead

PubGen.AI; Cape Girardeau (MO); Remote; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

PubGen.AI seeks a Founding Sales Lead to drive sales and build a high-performance team in a fast-growing startup. You'll shape product strategy while combating news deserts through innovative AI tools for local journalism. Ideal candidates have proven B2B sales experience, preferably in the media sector, and a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

Benefits

Equity upside tied to revenue growth

Flexible work environment

High commission potential

Qualifications

• Proven track record in B2B sales, experience with media organizations preferred.
• Familiarity with AI/SaaS technology is a big plus.

Responsibilities

• Own the full sales cycle from closing deals to building a sales team.
• Identify and engage local publishers and journalism organizations.
• Develop scalable sales processes.

Skills

Sales expertise

Client engagement

Entrepreneurial mindset

Understanding client pain points

Adaptability in fast-paced environments

Education

MA / MBA

Job description

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Remote (U.S.-based, ideally near St. Louis, MO)

About the Role

Join a fast-growing, award-winning startup that’s transforming the future of local journalism with cutting-edge AI. As ourFounding Sales Lead, you'll own the full sales cycle—from closing early-stage deals to building a high-performance sales team. You’ll collaborate directly with founders to shape product and go-to-market strategy, help define new customer segments, and play a pivotal role in scaling our revenue engine from the ground up.

What You’ll Do

• Identify, engage, and close new business opportunities with local publishers, media groups, and journalism organizations
• Develop and refine scalable sales processes and repeatable playbooks
• Collaborate with founders to translate client needs into actionable product feedback
• Test and validate adjacent market segments—such asschool newsrooms, chambers of commerce, and nonprofit media orgs—to expand our total addressable market
• Recruit, train, and lead a growing sales team once core sales motion is established

Why Join Us?

We’re not just building software—we’re helping save democracy, one newsroom at a time. Our mission is tocombat news desertsby equipping local media with scalable, AI-powered tools that make great journalism sustainable again.

Recent recognition includes:

Innovator of the Year – Local Media Association (2025)

For our revolutionary AI-powered CMS, awarded to PubGen.AI and Rust Communications for transforming newsroom operations and media business systems.

Best Local News Website – LMA (2025)

Honoring our work with the Southeast Missourian for excellence in AI integration, mobile design, and community-focused journalism.

A Leap Forward in AI for Journalism – RJI & Editor & Publisher (2025)

Recognizing PubGen.AI’s impact on digital growth and innovation across 15+ local newsrooms.

Who We’re Looking For

• Based in the U.S., ideally nearSt. Louis, MO(weekly in-person optional)
• Ranging fromMA / MBA gradtosenior-level B2B salespersonwith a proven track record
• Experience selling tonews/media orgshighly preferred
• Familiarity withAI,SaaS, orenterprise technologyis a big plus
• Naturally entrepreneurial—you will start by closing deals yourself, then scale up a team
• Exceptionally smart, personable, and driven by growth and results
• Skilled in understanding client pain points and aligning solutions
• Comfortable in a fast-moving, high-ambiguity, startup environment

Compensation & Upside

• Low base salary,high-commission, uncapped earnings
• Significant equity upside, vesting tied to revenue growth milestones (e.g., MRR targets)
• Designed to reward high performers and long-term commitment

Why It Matters

Newsrooms are dying, and democracy suffers when communities lose access to trustworthy local journalism. AtPubGen.AI, we’re empowering the next generation of independent media by automating the tedious, unlocking growth, and preserving the craft. If you’re hungry to build something that matters—with tangible results and visible impact—we want to hear from you.

How to Apply

Reach out with a note to [e-mail] about why you’re excited to join us, and include any relevant work or background. Bonus points if you’ve worked with news orgs or sold into mission-driven markets.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Sales and Business Development

• Industries

  Newspaper Publishing

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