An AE Manager for Startups in the EMEA region is a specialized sales leadership role focused on driving revenue growth by building and guiding a team of Account Executives who sell technology solutions to the dynamic startup ecosystem across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. This profession sits at the intersection of strategic sales management, entrepreneurial mentorship, and deep sector expertise. Professionals in these jobs are responsible for more than just hitting quotas; they act as pivotal advisors and coaches, enabling their teams to partner with innovative companies from their earliest stages. Typically, the role involves a comprehensive set of responsibilities. Primarily, the manager is tasked with building and scaling a high-performing sales team. This includes recruiting top talent, designing onboarding programs, and providing continuous coaching and mentorship through regular one-on-ones and deal strategy sessions. They set the vision, strategy, and sales targets for the startup segment. A key aspect of these jobs is the "player-coach" model, where the manager is expected to lead from the front—engaging directly in key customer meetings with founders and CTOs, modeling sales excellence, and helping to navigate complex deals. They own the sales pipeline and forecast, ensuring rigorous execution and accountability. Furthermore, they serve as a crucial cross-functional connector, aligning with Marketing for lead generation, Product for feedback, and Customer Success to ensure a seamless journey for their startup clients. The typical skills and requirements for these leadership jobs are distinct. Candidates usually possess 5+ years of SaaS sales leadership experience with a proven record of building teams. Deep familiarity with the startup investment lifecycle (from seed to growth stages) and experience selling to technical buyers like founders and CTOs is essential. They must be exceptional talent developers, with skills in hiring, coaching, and motivating salespeople. A hands-on, operational mindset is non-negotiable, as is the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. Strong business acumen, coupled with the ability to discuss technical concepts like AI, developer tools, or cloud infrastructure credibly, is a major advantage. Finally, proven experience in closing substantial, complex SaaS deals and applying a data-driven approach to sales operations is a standard requirement. In essence, an AE Manager for Startups in EMEA is a growth architect. They cultivate a team that does more than sell; it partners with the next generation of companies, helping them scale by leveraging cutting-edge technology. For sales leaders passionate about entrepreneurship, mentorship, and operating at the forefront of innovation, these jobs offer a unique and impactful career path at the heart of the tech landscape.
