Sales Account Executive (DACH)

Why This Role Exists

We are looking for a high-agency Sales Account Executive to dominate the DACH market . This isn't just about hitting a quota; it’s about increasing founder leverage. By owning the entire revenue engine in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, you free the leadership team to focus on product vision while you provide the boots‑on‑the‑ground intelligence and execution speed needed to scale. You are the strategic bridge between our product and the academic/research powerhouse of Europe.

What You’ll Be Responsible For (Outcomes)

• DACH Market Sovereignty : You don't just "work" the territory; you own it. You are responsible for the end‑to‑end conversion of the DACH region into a predictable growth engine, ensuring our brand is the default choice for researchers and faculty.
• Pipeline Velocity & Integrity : Beyond just "prospecting," you optimize the sales funnel for speed and conversion. You identify friction points in the buying process and solve them autonomously.
• Strategic Market Intelligence : You act as the eyes and ears of the founders. You translate DACH‑specific market trends and competitor shifts into actionable product feedback and localized go‑to‑market strategies.
• High‑Stakes Relationship Architecture : You move beyond "demos" to building deep institutional partnerships with academic librarians and teaching faculty, positioning our solution as a mission‑critical infrastructure rather than just another tool.

What You’ve Done Before

• The 0‑to‑1 or 1‑to‑10 Journey : You have 3+ years of experience in high‑growth environments (EdTech, SaaS, or STEM Publishing) where you didn't just follow a playbook—you helped write it.
• DACH Mastery : You possess native or full professional fluency in German and understand the nuances of doing business in these specific academic and corporate cultures.
• Complex Cycle Management: You have a track record of navigating multi‑stakeholder environments, moving from initial outreach to a signed contract with precision.
• Tooling Excellence : You use CRM (Salesforce/HubSpot) and outreach tools as a competitive advantage to automate the mundane and focus on the high‑impact.

Who You Are

• High‑Agency & Proactive : You don't wait for a lead list. You find the path to the decision‑maker and create your own luck.
• Strategically Minded : You think in terms of ROI and long‑term value, not just the next transaction.
• Resilient Communicator : You are as comfortable presenting in a university lecture hall as you are navigating a complex procurement negotiation over Zoom.
• Continuous Learner : You have a "beta" mindset—constantly iterating on your pitch, your process, and your professional skills.

Who This Is NOT For

• The "Wait and See" Seller : If you need a script and a pre‑warmed lead list to be successful, this isn't the role for you.
• The Lone Wolf: While you own your results, we move as a team. If you don't share insights or collaborate on projects to improve the company‑wide sales motion, you’ll struggle here.
• The Task‑Oriented : If you measure your day by "emails sent" rather than "distance moved toward the goal," you will find our pace frustrating.

What Success Looks Like

• In 3 Months : You have a deep understanding of the product, have built a healthy $Xk pipeline, and have identified three key "unlocked" opportunities in the DACH region.
• In 6 Months : You are closing consistent new business, have established a repeatable outreach system, and are contributing strategic insights that influence our quarterly roadmap.
• In 12 Months : You have doubled our footprint in the region, established yourself as a thought leader in the DACH academic space, and significantly reduced founder involvement in routine sales cycles.

Key Indicators of Success:

• DACH Revenue Growth : Direct impact on Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR).
• Conversion Rate : Percentage of discovery calls that turn into closed‑won contracts.
• Time‑to‑Close : Improving the efficiency of the institutional sales cycle.

Minimum Technical and Work Environment Requirements:

• Internet Connection:
  • Primary internet connection with a minimum speed of 15 Mbps .
  • Backup internet connection with at least 10 Mbps .
  • Backup connection must be capable of supporting work during a power outage.
• Primary Device:
  • Desktop or laptop equipped with at least:
  • Intel Core i5 (8th generation or newer) , Intel Core i3 (10th generation or newer) , AMD Ryzen 5 , or an equivalent processor.
  • A minimum of 8 GB RAM .
• Backup Device:
  • Must meet or exceed the performance of an Intel Core i3 processor.
  • Must be functional during power interruptions.
• Peripherals and Workspace:
  • A functioning webcam .
  • A noise‑canceling USB headset .
  • A quiet, dedicated home office space .
  • A smartphone for communication and verification purposes.