About the Company

We're a global team of over 400 people, working together to push the boundaries of open-source technology and multi-cloud solutions. Our vision is to help developers, builders, and creators bring their ideas to life with speed and simplicity, by providing a cloud data platform that makes open-source databases, search, streaming, and application infrastructure easily accessible to everyone.

The Role

As an Enterprise Account Executive, you will drive predictable, repeatable revenue growth by acquiring new customers and expanding usage within high-growth technology companies generating $100M–$1B in annual revenue. This segment represents the critical scaling phase where companies are professionalizing their data infrastructure, moving from tactical solutions to strategic platforms.

This is a high-velocity, quota-carrying role focused on new logo acquisition and baseline usage expansion across EMEA, targeting scaling technology companies across Fintech, B2B SaaS, Digital Commerce, and Industrial Tech sectors. Clear success metrics include a minimum 6 closed new logos annually with an average deal size of $150K ARR, while generating $6.6M in qualified pipeline per fiscal year. This is a hunter role requiring 100% self-sourced pipeline generation — there is no SDR support.

You will engage Director and VP-level stakeholders across technical and business functions (VP Engineering, Director of Platform, Head of DevOps, Director of Data Engineering), positioning Aiven as the strategic open-source data platform that enables their next phase of growth. You'll leverage proven sales methodologies — MEDDPICC qualification, Challenger Sales, and Command of the Message — to manage efficient sales cycles from discovery to close, typically 30–120 days.

What You'll Do

Own Complete Pipeline Generation

• Generate 100% of your pipeline through strategic outbound prospecting, account-based approaches, and relationship development.
• Qualify 4 opportunities per month (3 medium-sized $100K–$200K ARR, 1 large-sized $200K–$400K ARR) using rigorous MEDDPICC framework.
• Generate $6.6M in qualified pipeline annually through disciplined territory management and multi-channel prospecting.

Drive New Logo Acquisition

• Close 6 new enterprise customers annually at $150K average ARR in your UKI, focusing on high-growth technology companies across Fintech, B2B SaaS, Digital Commerce, AdTech, and Industrial Tech sectors.
• Lead the full sales cycle from initial prospecting and discovery through technical validation, negotiation, and closing.

Execute Strategic Prospecting

• Develop and maintain target account lists of 100–150 ideal customer profile companies.
• Conduct deep account research using LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Clay, Onfire, Crunchbase, and 6sense to identify trigger events and buying signals.
• Execute 80–100+ weekly prospecting touches across calls, emails, LinkedIn, and video messaging to secure first meetings with target personas.

Director & VP-Level Stakeholder Engagement

• Build trusted relationships with Directors and VPs in Engineering, Platform, DevOps, and Data organisations.
• Challenge the status quo of customers' current data infrastructure (DIY Kafka, cloud vendor lock-in, operational overhead) and inspire a vision for how Aiven's platform drives better business outcomes.

Solution Selling & Value Articulation

• Become an expert in Aiven's platform and the open-source technologies we offer (Kafka, PostgreSQL, OpenSearch, ClickHouse and more).
• Articulate business value in terms of reduced operational overhead (40–60%), faster time-to-production (3–5x), and infrastructure cost optimisation (30–50%).
• Maintain strong Command of the Message when conveying Aiven's value proposition and differentiation.

MEDDPICC Sales Process

• Rigorously qualify all opportunities using the MEDDPICC framework to ensure high-quality pipeline.
• Maintain complete MEDDPICC documentation in Salesforce for every qualified opportunity.
• Accurately forecast with 85%+ commit accuracy and execute on quarterly sales plans.
• Manage 90-180 day sales cycles with a disciplined, metrics-driven approach to qualification and closing.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Solution Architects on technical validation and proof-of-concept management for qualified opportunities.
• Work with Customer Success to ensure seamless onboarding and adoption.
• Collaborate with Product and Engineering to incorporate customer feedback and align on roadmap priorities for strategic opportunities.

Territory Planning & Market Insight

• Develop and maintain 90-day rolling territory plans with clear account prioritisation and pipeline generation goals.
• Monitor technographic signals, funding events, and technology adoption patterns to identify high-intent accounts.
• Represent Aiven at regional industry events and conferences to build network and generate pipeline.

Exceed Targets

• Consistently meet and exceed your sales quotas and KPIs.
• Take full ownership of your territory and accounts, maintaining minimum 4:1 pipeline coverage ratio and balanced quarterly performance to deliver results.

What We're Looking For

Enterprise Sales Excellence

• 3–5 years of success in Enterprise or mid-market B2B SaaS sales, selling complex technical solutions to scaling technology companies.
• Proven track record of 100% self-sourced pipeline generation with consistent quota attainment of 90–100%+ against multimillion-dollar targets (e.g., President's Club or top 20% performer).

Amazing! What’s next:

If you think Aiven is the place for you and that our Values align with yours, send us your resume and we’ll get in touch!  

AI Usage:

Aiven does not use AI to screen and/or select applicants. However, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate your AI proficiency during the live challenge stage of our interview process.

Global Benefits:

Our global benefits are designed to help you thrive and grow, personally and professionally:

• Participate in Aiven’s equity plan.
• Balance work and life with our hybrid work policy.
• Choose the equipment you need to set yourself up for success.
• Use your Professional Development Plan budget for learning opportunities.
• Receive holistic wellbeing support through our global Employee Assistance Program.
• Inquire about our Global Time Off Commitment (Parental and Sick Leave, as well as Personal Time)
• Enjoy country-specific benefits for our global cast. (BitQuery DB)

How to Recognize and Avoid Employment Scams:

There has been a rise in fake job postings used by scammers to get personal information. At Aiven, all of our emails relating to recruitment come from an @aiven.io, @greenhouse.io or @eu.greenhouse.io domain and all of our interviews are conducted by video call or in person.  Our interviews will never occur via text or chat. If you’re unsure of the legitimacy of a job opportunity/offer pertaining to Aiven, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected].

Equal Opportunities:

Aiven provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability, marital and family status or without regard to any other similar personal attributes. Aiven complies with applicable local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, training and any other terms and conditions related to employment.

At Aiven we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities or special needs in our working environment and job application procedures. We make all reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities or who otherwise need support to thrive in the workplace. We are committed to continuously improving workplace accessibility. There is an option to request a discussion in the application process but if you have any questions before applying please write to us at [email protected].

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