Enterprise Account Executive - job 1 of 2

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 become the trusted Data & AI Platform for everyone, leveraging the most popular open-source technologies like Apache Kafka®, Aiven for PostgreSQL®, Aiven for Clickhouse®, and Aiven for OpenSearch®. to help companies accelerate time-to-market, drive efficiency, and build innovative solutions across any cloud. Right now, we’re looking for an Enterprise Account Executive to join our team who shares our passion for forward-thinking and innovative approaches. 

About this team

Our Customer Growth team plays a crucial role in our growth and profitability. We want to be the trusted data source data platform for everyone – which, let’s face it, is an ambitious target. But thanks to our dedicated sales, pre-sales, and post-sales teams we are growing fast. Right now, we are looking for an Enterprise Account Executive 

Who we are

So, how do we become the trusted open source data platform for everyone? By listening closely to our customers and taking action to ensure they achieve their business goals. You see, the software we create is merely a means of delivering value. Our thinking is customer-first. That’s why our customers are at the front and center of all we do. And in the spirit of sideways thinking, we’re by their side as well. Actively helping them solve their challenges. Collaborating. Sharing. And innovating. In other words, it really isn’t just about who we are. It’s about who our customers are – and where they want to be.

Our Crabby Principles

Aiveners use the V2MOM framework to set and align on business goals. In order to achieve those business goals we live by our ‘Crabby Principles’ which unite us in our ways of working, globally. 

These principles are embedded in our business processes and support us in collaborating and role modelling positive and productive behaviours in our daily work, something you will have the opportunity to demonstrate throughout your interview journey with us. 

The Role

Aiven is a global technology company providing an open-source data and AI platform across all major clouds. Our platform empowers businesses to stream, store, and analyze data in multi-cloud environments with speed, security, and scalability. As an Enterprise Account Executive for the DACH region, you will drive strategic growth by acquiring new enterprise customers and expanding relationships within our existing large accounts (>$500M revenue). This is a high-impact, quota-carrying role focused on new logo acquisition, growing usage over baseline, and increasing customer commitments in one of Aiven’s most important markets.

In this role, you will engage C-level and senior stakeholders across both technical and business functions (e.g. CTO, CIO, VP Engineering, Head of Product). You’ll leverage Aiven’s proven sales methodologies – MEDDPICC qualification, the Challenger Sales approach, and Command of the Message – to manage complex sales cycles from prospecting to close. If you are a top-performing enterprise SaaS seller with a talent for outcome-based selling and executive engagement, and you’re excited about helping enterprises succeed with cutting-edge open-source data technologies, we want to hear from you.

What You'll Do:

• Drive New Business: Identify, target, and win new enterprise logos in the DACH region, focusing on organizations with $500M+ in revenue. Lead the full sales cycle from initial outreach and value proposition through negotiation and closing.
  
  
• Expand Strategic Accounts: Grow revenue within existing enterprise customers by uncovering new use cases, upselling additional Aiven services, and increasing commitments beyond baseline usage. Develop strategic account and demand plans to maximize value for both the client and Aiven.
  
  
• Executive Stakeholder Engagement: Build trusted relationships at the C-suite and VP level, as well as with leaders in development, DevOps, and product management. Challenge the status quo of customers’ current data infrastructure and inspire a vision for how Aiven’s platform can drive 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 the business value of our multi-cloud data and AI platform in terms of agility, cost efficiency, and time-to-market improvements. Maintain a strong Command of the Message when conveying Aiven’s value proposition and differentiation.
  
  
• MEDDPICC Sales Process: Rigorously qualify opportunities using the MEDDPICC framework to ensure a high-quality pipeline. Accurately forecast and execute on quarterly and annual sales plans. Manage complex sales cycles with a disciplined, metrics-driven approach to qualification, value demonstration, and closing deals.
  
  
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Marketing to generate pipeline, and partner with Solution Architects on technical validation and solution design for customers. Work closely with Product and Engineering to incorporate customer feedback, align on roadmap priorities, and ensure technical validation for complex solution designs. 

• Market Insight & Strategy: Stay informed on industry trends in cloud, data infrastructure, and the DACH enterprise market. Provide feedback to Aiven’s product and leadership teams on customer needs and competitive insights. Represent Aiven at regional industry events and conferences to build brand awareness as needed.
  
  
• Exceed Targets: Consistently meet and exceed your sales quotas and KPIs. Take full ownership of your territory and accounts, leveraging Aiven’s high-performance sales culture and resources to deliver results and grow our presence in the region.

What We're Looking For:

• Enterprise Sales Excellence: 5–10+ years of success in enterprise SaaS or cloud infrastructure sales, selling complex technical solutions to large organizations. A proven track record of overachievement against multimillion-dollar targets is required (e.g. President’s Club or top 10% performer).
  
  
• Strategic Deal Maker: Demonstrated ability to close complex, consultative deals with long sales cycles and multiple stakeholders. Experience engaging senior technical (CTO, VP Engineering, Architects) and business leaders, with an emphasis on solving strategic challenges rather than just pushing products.
  
  
• Outcome-Focused Challenger: Skilled in outcome-based selling – you focus on customers’ business objectives and pains, and tailor solutions to deliver measurable value. Comfortable challenging customers’ thinking (in a professional, insightful manner) to guide them toward better solutions, in line with the Challenger Sales methodology.
  
  
• MEDDPICC & Methodology Mastery: Hands-on experience with MEDDIC/MEDDPICC or similar sales frameworks, and adept at using structured qualification in your sales process. Able to maintain Command of the Message, communicating value and differentiation clearly at every stage of the sales cycle.
  
  
• Domain & Technical Acumen: Familiarity with open-source technologies, data infrastructure, cloud services, and developer platforms (e.g. Apache Kafka, databases, analytics, AI/ML use cases). You can credibly discuss technical concepts and align them with business outcomes, bridging conversations between engineering teams and executives.
  
  
• Executive Presence & Communication: Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills. Able to engage in consultative discussions with C-level executives and simplify complex ideas into compelling narratives. Fluent English and German language proficiency is strongly preferred to effectively serve the DACH market.
  
  
• High-Performance Mindset: A self-driven, entrepreneurial approach with the discipline to thrive in a high-performance, high-growth culture. You take ownership of your results and also collaborate well within a global team. Experience in a fast-paced startup or scale-up environment is a plus.
  
  
• Education & Training: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required. Ongoing professional development (e.g. sales training certifications) is a plus, reflecting a commitment to honing your craft.

Don’t worry if your experience doesn’t line up perfectly – we still encourage everyone to apply. We believe in investing in our crabs’ professional growth.

Our Offer

If you ask us what’s the best thing about working for Aiven, many will probably say it’s the high concentration of talent from around the world that we have here. Enjoy the agile environment of a hyperscale scale-up where you can truly make an impact and have fun while at it.

We invest in you

• Participate in Aiven’s equity plan.
• With Aiven locations spanning the globe, we want all of our crabs to find the right balance with our hybrid work policy.
• Get the equipment you need to set yourself up for success.
• Step up your career game with real employer support (use one of our learning platforms, annual learning budget, and more).
• Get holistic wellbeing support through our global Employee Assistance Program.

Make a difference at Aiven

• Contribute to open source projects that you find meaningful outside of work - and get paid for it! Our Plankton program recognizes extra work to the open source ecosystem for developers and non-developers alike.
• Use up to 5 days per year to volunteer for a good cause of your choice.
• Join one of our team member resource groups - empower yourself and others in missions that resonate with you.

What else?

• Your wellbeing matters: we provide professional massage at the office as well as health and fitness benefits through Urban Sport Club membership
• Love breakfast? So do we! Join us at our monthly team breakfast
• Know someone who would be the perfect fit for Aiven? You can benefit from our referral bonus programme as soon as you join.

Amazing! What’s next?

Once applying you should hear from our Talent Experience team within 5 days regarding the status of your application. If you are selected to move forward you can generally expect 4 stages with us 

1. 30-45 minute call with one of our Talent Partners 
2. 45 minute Depth of Expertise Interview with the hiring manager 
3. Skills interview and or presentation for 1 hour with the wider team 
4. Company values interview for 1 hour 

How to Recognise and Avoid Employment Scams

There has been a rise in fake job postings used by scammers to get personal information. Please familiarise yourself with the red flags of a potential scam.

Here 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 over video call or in person, our interviews will never occur over 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 recruitment@aiven.io.

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 recruitment@aiven.io.