Founding Account Executive at Warden AI

DescriptionAustin TX (3 days/week in office required)Full-time US work authorization requiredAbout Warden AIWarden AI helps HR Tech vendors prove and improve the fairness accuracy and compliance of their AI hiring a fast-changing regulatory environment vendors need a trusted partner to validate their AI - and Warden is quickly becoming the default solution.In 2025 Warden has grown from 4 to 40 customers (as of mid-November) and were aiming to grow to >120 by the end of 2026.This growth is being driven not just by market demand but by something rarer - a really powerful network effect: Customers genuinely want to promote working with Warden because it helps them win their own deals.Were now ready to hire our first dedicated salesperson - someone who can turn this momentum into a predictable scalable motion while the CEO focuses on opening new segments.Read why Playfair Capital invested in Warden AI.Why This Role Is DifferentMost founding AE roles are early ambiguous and dependent on heavy outbound.This isnt that.Here youll step into:A market with clear PMF strong references and warm introsA 50% inbound pipeline and high-intent prospects who often land in Wardens funnel through referralsA category where regulation increases demand not frictionA segment ready for systematic scaling (40 100 vendors in 2026)A proven founder-led motion youll inherit and help operationalizeA product that is simple to demo fast to onboard and has minimal procurement barriersYoull own a critical vertical and help define Wardens GTM engine at the moment where the company begins to scale for real.What Youll Own (Role Overview Responsibilities)As Wardens Founding Account Executive youll take point on expanding the HR Tech vendor segment while working closely with the CEO on high-impact Tier 1 opportunities. This is a full-cycle AE role with strong inbound support meaningful autonomy and a mandate to help shape the future of our sales motion.You will:Run the full sales cycle: discovery demo value articulation follow-up and closingTake over Tier 2 and Tier 3 vendor deals quickly with the CEO partnering with you on major Tier 1 opportunitiesConvert inbound leads (50%) event-driven leads (20%) and build additional pipeline through outbound and re-engagement of closed-lost accountsManage a pipeline of 2535 deals at varying stages with accuracy and disciplineConduct product demos showcasing Wardens audit reports and onboarding workflow (with SE/CTO support for deeper technical questions)Maintain rigorous pipeline hygiene and forecasting accuracy in AttioSuggest improvements to messaging processes and sales tools as you learn what worksPartner with product engineering and marketing to bring customer insights into how Warden evolvesTravel to US-based conferences quarterly and to London occasionally for team collaborationOver time support renewals/expansions or grow into Enterprise AE or Head of Sales pathwaysThis is a role for someone who wants ownership visibility and the chance to build foundational GTM muscles at a fast-growing AI company.Youll Be a Great Fit for the Role IfYou have 38 years of full-cycle SaaS sales experienceYouve consistently hit quota and can comfortably manage 2030 deals at onceYoure highly organized detail-oriented and run a clean pipelineYou thrive in fast-paced early-stage environments and love building or improving processesYou enjoy working cross-functionally and contributing ideas to product onboarding and marketingYou are proactive curious and hungry to grow into bigger roles as the company scalesYoure comfortable speaking with both business leaders and technical stakeholdersYoure based in (or willing to relocate to) Austin and can work in the USHR Tech experience is great to have but not requiredThis Role Isnt for You IfYou want a fully defined playbook and rigid structureYou prefer selling only large enterprise deals with long cyclesYou dont enjoy juggling many mid-market opportunities at onceYoure uncomfortable contributing beyond your laneYou dont enjoy fast-moving environments or constructive ambiguityYou prefer fully remote roles or arent open to being in-person in AustinYou want inbound-only or outbound-only - this role involves bothWhat Success Looks Like in Your First 90 DaysRunning Tier 2 and Tier 3 vendor deals independentlyClosing your first deals with CEO supportBuilding your self-sourced and reactivated pipelineDelivering confident effective product demosMaintaining clean forecasting and deal hygieneSharing meaningful insights with product engineering and marketingCompensation & BenefitsCompensation will be competitive with Austin early-stage SaaS benchmarks for founding AEs:$80-110k Base with a 50:50 splitUncapped commissionAccelerators above 100% attainmentMeaningful equity in a rapidly growing business (4 year vest 1 year cliff)There will also be the following perks:Healthcare coverage33 days paid time off ( public holidays plus sick leave)Flexible / hybrid working environmentClear career progression with paths to:Enterprise Account Executive orSales Manager including opportunities in new market expansionHiring ProcessWe move quickly and aim to make this a thoughtful structured experience - its as much about you assessing us as it is the other way around. Heres what to expect:Founder Screen (20 min) - Intro chat with our CEO to align on your background and the role.Sales Deep Dive (45 min) - Discussion focused on your full-cycle experience deal management and operating style.Practical Demo (45 min) - A short demo in using materials we provide. Our CTO will join so you can meet a key partner.Culture & Values Fit (45 min ideally in person) - Conversation with our CEO about how you operate in early-stage environments.Reference Checks & Offer - We move quickly from references to a clear offer and 90-day success plan.If you have any specific questions or want to talk through reasonable adjustments ahead of or during the application please contact us at any point at .Required Experience:IC Key Skills Business Development,Customer Service,Revenue Growth,ABC Analysis,Account Management,Communication,CRM,Excel,Salesforce,PMP,Customer Relationships,Business Relationships,Sales Goals,Sales Process,CPA Employment Type : Full-Time Experience: years Vacancy: 1 Monthly Salary Salary: 80 - 110