This free Account Executive job description template is ready to use — copy it, replace the {{placeholders}}, and post your role in minutes. It includes a company intro, a role summary, responsibilities, requirements, nice-to-haves, and compensation, with writing tips and FAQs below to help you tailor it to your team.
When to use this template
Use this when you're hiring a salesperson to own deals from qualified opportunity through close. It assumes a quota-carrying role with a defined sales cycle, not an SDR/BDR who only books meetings.
The details that matter most to AE candidates are the sales motion (inbound vs. outbound), the average deal size, the sales cycle length, and the comp structure. Be as specific as you can; strong reps evaluate roles like they evaluate deals.
If you're hiring for top-of-funnel prospecting only, adapt this into an SDR/BDR description with a meetings-booked rather than revenue target.
Writing tips
- Be transparent about OTE and the base/commission split — top reps filter hard on comp clarity.
- Describe the sales motion: inbound vs. outbound, deal size, and typical cycle length.
- Clarify what's already in place (leads, marketing support, sales tooling) vs. what they'll build.
- Focus on outcomes and territory, not just 'hunter' clichés.
- Name the segment they'll sell into (SMB, mid-market, enterprise).
The job description
Copy the template below and replace the {{placeholders}} and [bracketed notes] with your specifics.
About {{company}}
{{company}} is [what you sell and to whom]. We have [traction/proof], and we're hiring an Account Executive to help us grow revenue in [segment/territory].
The role
As an Account Executive, you'll own the full sales cycle — from qualified opportunity to closed deal — for [segment]. You'll run discovery, demo the product, navigate procurement, and hit a quota. This role reports to {{hiring_manager}} and is based {{work_type}} in {{location}}.
What you'll do
- Own and close a pipeline of [inbound / outbound] opportunities in [segment].
- Run discovery calls and tailored demos that connect our product to real problems.
- Manage deals through procurement, security review, and negotiation to close.
- Forecast accurately and keep your CRM clean and current.
- Share what you learn with product and marketing to sharpen our go-to-market.
What we're looking for
- 2+ years of closing experience in [B2B SaaS / your category], with a record of hitting quota.
- Comfort owning the full cycle, from discovery through negotiation and close.
- Strong discovery skills — you ask good questions and actually listen.
- Discipline with pipeline management and forecasting.
- Resilience and a genuine curiosity about customers' problems.
Nice to have
- Experience selling to [your buyer persona, e.g. engineering or HR leaders].
- Familiarity with [your sales stack, e.g. Salesforce, HubSpot, Outreach].
- Early-stage experience where you helped build the sales playbook.
What we offer
- Base salary {{salary_range}}, with OTE of [on-target earnings] and uncapped commission.
- [Comprehensive benefits] and equity.
- Flexible {{work_type}} working and [PTO policy].
- A product people want to buy and the support to sell it well.
How to personalize
Replace these placeholders before posting:
- {{company}}
- {{location}}
- {{work_type}}
- {{salary_range}}
- {{hiring_manager}}
The bracketed notes — like [your benefits] or [your primary language(s)] — are prompts to swap in your own details. The more specific you are about the actual work and stack, the stronger your applicant pool will be.
Frequently asked questions
- What does an Account Executive do?
- An Account Executive owns the sales cycle from qualified opportunity to closed deal. They run discovery calls and demos, navigate procurement and negotiation, manage their pipeline and forecast, and carry a revenue quota.
- What's the difference between an Account Executive and an SDR?
- An SDR (Sales Development Representative) focuses on the top of the funnel — prospecting and booking qualified meetings. An Account Executive takes those qualified opportunities and closes them. SDRs are measured on meetings or pipeline created; AEs are measured on revenue closed.
- How is an Account Executive's compensation structured?
- Typically a base salary plus commission, expressed as on-target earnings (OTE) — often a rough 50/50 split between base and variable, though it varies by company and segment. Commission is usually tied to closed revenue and is frequently uncapped. State the base, OTE, and structure clearly in the job description.