The roleWe're looking for a founding Sales Director to lead revenue growth across our markets. This is a rare opportunity to join a hyper-growth AI infrastructure company in a true leadership seat - reporting directly to the VP of Global Sales and working alongside the co-founders. You'll come in as a leader, inherit and grow a team, and shape how we go to market as we scale.
What you'll do- Lead and grow a high-performing sales team - hiring, coaching, and developing Encord sellers while staying close to the market yourself
- Own revenue growth across your market - taking the product to leading AI and tech businesses and scaling to $millions in ARR
- Navigate complex, full-cycle enterprise and mid-market sales with customers ranging from fast-growing startups to Fortune 500s
- Partner with the VP of Global Sales on GTM strategy, ICP expansion, and new verticals - with a clear path to owning an expanded geography, sector, or team as we scale
- Roll up your sleeves and run sales cycles yourself during the ramp period - learning the product, the buyers, and the motion firsthand so you can coach your team from experience, not theory
- Become the authoritative voice on how Encord is positioned and pitched - setting the standard for the team around you
- Represent Encord externally - at industry events, in senior customer relationships, and across the broader AI and Physical AI ecosystem
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Product, Engineering, and Customer Success to shape the roadmap and inform go-to-market decisions
- Step up wherever needed: marketing, events, community, onboarding - this is a founding leadership role
Who we're looking for- A proven sales leader with a track record of building and scaling high-performing teams - and the commercial credibility to lead from the front
- Someone who thrives in ambiguity - you don't wait for a playbook, you write it
- Deep experience selling technical products to technical buyers - ML engineers, data scientists, CTOs, and AI platform leads
- A builder mentality - you want to leave something behind, not just hit a number
- High commercial IQ - able to navigate complex, multi-stakeholder deals while keeping momentum and coaching others to do the same
- Genuine excitement about Physical AI and where the market is going
Experience requirements- 7-12 years in GTM roles at B2B SaaS companies, with a proven track record of leading and scaling high-performing sales teams
- Demonstrated ability to hire, develop, and retain top sales talent - you've built teams, not just joined them
- Strong commercial intuition with the ability to build rapport and influence at all levels - from junior operators to CTOs
- The gravitas to engage and win over senior leadership, and the ability to instil that same credibility in the people around you
- Track record of top-percentile performance in sales leadership, academia, sport, or any competitive environment you've entered
- A clear point of view on what great GTM looks like - and the conviction to build it from scratch in a fast-moving environment
Why Encord- Competitive salary, commission, and meaningful equity in a high-growth start-up
- Clear, accelerated growth opportunities as the company scales rapidly
- Strong in-person culture: 4 days/week
- Flexible PTO to fully recharge
- Annual learning & development budget
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
- Frequent travel opportunities across the U.S., London, and Europe
- Bi-annual company offsites, twice-weekly team lunches, and monthly socials
