Founding NYC Sales Director
Job Description
About us
Encord is the universal data layer for AI that helps 300+ AI teams train and run models on the right data. Our platform indexes, curates, annotates, and evaluates data across the full AI lifecycle, from development through production. Trusted by Woven by Toyota, AXA, UiPath, Zipline, and more.
We're an ambitious team of 100+ working at the frontier of AI and have raised $60M in Series C funding from Wellington Management, CRV, Next47 and Y Combinator.
The role
We're opening our brand-new NYC office and looking for a founding Sales Director to lead US revenue growth. This is a rare opportunity to join as one of the first quota-carriers at a hyper-growth AI infrastructure startup — reporting directly to the Head of Global Sales and working alongside the co-founders. When successful, you'll build and lead the US commercial team.
What you'll do
Own and drive US revenue growth — taking the product to market and scaling to $millions in ARR
Navigate complex, full-cycle enterprise and mid-market sales with leading tech businesses, from fast-growing startups to Fortune 500s
Manage your pipeline end-to-end: prospecting, discovery, negotiation, and closing
Partner with the Head of Global Sales on GTM strategy, ICP expansion, and new verticals — with a clear path to owning a geography, sector, or team within 12 months
Become the best person in the company at pitching and explaining our product
Represent Encord externally — at industry events, in senior customer relationships, and across the broader 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 team role
Who we're looking for
You're ambitious, competitive, and deeply invested in your career
You're happiest when working hard and solving challenging problems — you know it requires dedication and some sacrifice, but you think it's worth it
You want to rise faster than a conventional path allows and you're willing to roll up your sleeves to make it happen
You've consistently performed in the top percentile of whatever environment you've been in — academia, business, sport, or sales
You're entrepreneurial and want to be part of building a business, not just executing a playbook
You're looking for a company that gives you the growth and learning opportunity to become a future leader
Experience requirements
7–12 years of experience in GTM roles at B2B SaaS companies, with several years as a high-performing quota carrier
Strong commercial intuition with the ability to build rapport and influence at all levels — from junior operators to CTOs
The gravitas to sell to senior leadership (e.g. CTOs) or the ability to get there quickly
Track record of top-percentile performance in sales, academia, sport, or any competitive environment you've entered
Hunger to become exceptional at sales, with an eye toward future leadership
Why Encord
Competitive salary, commission, and meaningful equity in a high-growth startup
Clear, accelerated growth — founding team opportunity with a path to leading the US commercial org
Strong in-person culture: 3–5 days/week in our brand-new NYC office
18 paid vacation days + federal holidays, and flexible PTO to fully recharge
Annual learning & development budget
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
Frequent travel across the US, London, and Europe
Bi-annual company offsites, twice-weekly team lunches, and monthly socials