hey all, just curious. I am considering a Head if Sales role for a 20M Series A SaaS startup.
of course, there's all the unknowns, but in terms of Salary and equity, what have you heard would be fair?
Head of Sales Salary
21
revenuegenerator
Praised Answer
6
Sales Management
It really depends on where you are, or where the company is geo located. Def 100K+. Ive seen 150K, 175K and 200K bases, with OTEs 300-350K (uncapped) (in Boston, Austin, SF). On equity I would push for 0.3%-0.5% of the company. So you need to ask how many shares are outstanding before you negotiate equity. Some of the equity component will also depend on where they are currently at with sales (customers, revenue, pipeline). If they have all three and they're growing, you likely won't get that much equity. Of course your experience will play a role in how much they're willing to give you too. Good luck. (IMO if they don't have any existing lead/demand gen I would ask for the moon because it's going to be hard af.)
*all these numbers are from SaaS cloud infra, app or security companies
*all these numbers are from SaaS cloud infra, app or security companies
OvereducatedSalesBro
Member
6
VP of Sales—Americas
Understand that when you take on that role, you are the direct driver for ALL revenue—from *dollar one*.
Just like that initial Angel/VC equity is "expensive", so are those first sales.
You are making it RAIN! You are proving the model, proving the market, and proving the product.
Get. Paid. For. That.
Early stage, you need to get OVERpaid for comish and equity (Founder/Board can term you at any time) in the beginning.
"What is the Value of Revenue for this company at this stage?" Because a two-million dollar deal Series A is worth a lot more than two millie at a
Also, look at Deal Size, Deal Velocity, and Marketing Support...They factor in.
Will you need to be a Sales Savage, or an Order Taker? You doing your own Biz Dev, or do you have a #FailedSalesperson (aka, Marketing) supporting you?
Take all of this and swirl it around. Then start with:
Salary $150k min (Ideally, $200k+ if you are building from scratch)
Equity of 3-10%, with an immediate % vest within your First Quarter.
Just like that initial Angel/VC equity is "expensive", so are those first sales.
You are making it RAIN! You are proving the model, proving the market, and proving the product.
Get. Paid. For. That.
Early stage, you need to get OVERpaid for comish and equity (Founder/Board can term you at any time) in the beginning.
"What is the Value of Revenue for this company at this stage?" Because a two-million dollar deal Series A is worth a lot more than two millie at a
Also, look at Deal Size, Deal Velocity, and Marketing Support...They factor in.
Will you need to be a Sales Savage, or an Order Taker? You doing your own Biz Dev, or do you have a #FailedSalesperson (aka, Marketing) supporting you?
Take all of this and swirl it around. Then start with:
Salary $150k min (Ideally, $200k+ if you are building from scratch)
Equity of 3-10%, with an immediate % vest within your First Quarter.
saaskicker
Celebrated Contributor
5
Enterprise AE
saaskicker
Celebrated Contributor
1
Enterprise AE
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
another solid one for all the Series A peeps/
TennisandSales
Politicker
0
Head Of Sales
ahaha someone had to post it!!
CuriousFox
WR Officer
3
🦊
Check RepVue and LinkedIn for ranges in your current market.
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
2
Bravado's Resident Asshole
Search it. 100k minimum, but based on the market, I would assume more.
jefe
Arsonist
2
🍁
$100K + base for sure
braintank
Politicker
5
Enterprise Account Executive
$100K base for a head of sales? Most reps make more than that. For taking on risk they should be making close to $200K base.
jefe
Arsonist
2
🍁
Really depends on the size of org and the stage, plus other compensation.
This is a series A after all. Plus $200K does fall under that umbrella
We also don’t know where it is, vertical etc.
This is a series A after all. Plus $200K does fall under that umbrella
We also don’t know where it is, vertical etc.
sellordie
Member
0
AE (Account Executive)
Agreed. I know recruiters making 200k base. I think it should be more for head of sales.
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
What resources has you looked at so far?
You would need to look at RepVue or something to get a gauge for what other roles are paying. its hard for us to give generic numbers. especially on equity.
but my advice would be to NOT take less base salary, for equity.
You would need to look at RepVue or something to get a gauge for what other roles are paying. its hard for us to give generic numbers. especially on equity.
but my advice would be to NOT take less base salary, for equity.
RegularNobody
1
Principal
Currently Head of Sales for a tech firm in London, GB. Closed Series A in the last 6 months
- 7mm USD Current Rev
- 2mm USD Rev Target
- 10% Commission - uncapped
- 117K GBP Base
Its an absolute shitshow.
- 7mm USD Current Rev
- 2mm USD Rev Target
- 10% Commission - uncapped
- 117K GBP Base
Its an absolute shitshow.
AnchorPoint
Politicker
1
Business Coach
Why are you focused on what is normal? Base it on what you bring to the table.
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
0
Sales Rep
Exciting stuff, good luck
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
0
Rolling 20's all day
Where are you located? How big is the team?
6 fig's for sure as a minimum
6 fig's for sure as a minimum
BlueJays2591
Politicker
0
Federal Business Dev Director
I wouldn't touch it for under 150k salary. At least lock in a decent amount of guaranteed money if you're taking that big of a risk.
Gasty
Notable Contributor
0
War Room Community Manager
@lisa: Can we have a "following" button?
cc: Savages
cc: Savages
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19 comments