Founding Sales

sphinxΒ· Sales
Apply Now β†—
πŸ“ San FranciscoFullTimeπŸ’° USD 140K–250K/yr

About this role

tl;dr: We've won every single deal we've competed for. The product closes – we need someone to build the machine that puts it in front of every bank and fintech that needs it. If you've closed six and seven-figure enterprise deals, love building from scratch, and light up a room when you walk in, we should talk.

Background

Before you can move money or open an account, someone has to make sure you're not a criminal. That's compliance, and it's broken.

Sphinx builds AI analysts that work inside browsers, APIs, and internal systems just like humans – automating AML, KYC, KYB, and transaction monitoring end-to-end.

We help banks and fintechs eliminate 90% of manual work, cut compliance costs by 4Γ—, and make onboarding instantaneous. We're trusted by leading institutions across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and LatAm.

We've closed every deal we've competed for, including seven-figure contracts with leading banks. Until now, sales has been founder-led, and it's worked. But we're at the point where we need someone to own it: build the pipeline, run the full cycle, and lay the foundation for a sales org that scales with us.

Why Join Sphinx

  1. Massive, unsexy market: Banks spend $200B a year hiring thousands of analysts to review alerts and fill out reports by hand. The space has seen very little innovation, and customers complain about our most well-funded competitors weekly. It's not glamorous, until you realize you're selling the intelligence layer that protects the entire financial system.

  2. Undefeated win rate: We've won every RFP we've been in. The product sells – we need someone to put it in front of the right people, more often.

  3. Build the sales org from zero: You won't inherit a playbook. You'll write it. Work directly with the CEO to define our sales motion, hire the first AEs, and architect the revenue engine from the ground up. Do this well, and you'll grow into the sales leader of a category-defining company.

  4. Founder-level scope: You'll shape pricing, packaging, territory strategy, and GTM positioning. Your fingerprints will be on everything that drives revenue.

  5. Small team, big surface area: Our co-founders previously sold an AI company & have built ML systems that scaled to millions of users and closed deals with major banks. The rest of our team in SF includes PhDs, industry experts, and competitive coders.

  6. Zero startup bullshit: We're not chasing hype. We're chasing customers – and closing them.

What You'll Work On

Own the full sales cycle from first touch to signed contract. You'll prospect, run discovery, lead demos, negotiate, and close – bringing in new banks, fintechs, and MSBs across the world.

Build Sphinx's sales organization alongside the CEO. That means designing the sales playbook, hiring and coaching the first AEs, defining comp structures, and creating the processes that let the team scale without losing quality.

Work directly with the GTM team to generate, qualify, and refine leads – building a pipeline that's predictable, data-driven, and constantly improving.

Shape how we go to market. You'll partner with the CEO on pricing, packaging, territory planning, and competitive positioning – feeding frontline insights back into strategy.

Be the voice of the customer internally. Translate what you hear in sales cycles into product priorities, marketing narratives, and deployment improvements.

What We Look For

  • You've closed real deals: You have 3-5+ years of sales experience with a track record of closing $100K-$1M+ enterprise contracts. You've navigated procurement, legal, and multi-stakeholder buying committees – and you know how to move complex deals forward.

  • You're a hunter: You don't wait for inbound. You build pipeline, cold-call confidently, and create opportunities where others see nothing. You're energized by the chase.

  • You're magnetic: Clients trust you, prospects remember you, and rooms pay attention when you speak. You build relationships fast and make people want to work with you.

  • You've seen the full cycle: From prospecting to negotiation to close to renewal – you've owned every stage and know what it takes to move deals through each one.

  • You think like a builder: You're not looking for a cushy quota-carrying seat. You want to build the sales org, define the playbook, and create something from scratch alongside the CEO.

  • You communicate with precision: Whether it's a board-ready deck, a cold email, or a live demo with a bank's CCO, your messaging is sharp, clear, and tailored to the audience.

  • You're impact-obsessed: You want to see your work move the company forward – every day.

About the Interview

  • Intro call (fit & motivation)

  • Case Study

  • Short paid in-person trial

  • Offer πŸŽ‰

Compensation & Benefits

  • 🍽 Lunch, dinner and snacks at the office

  • πŸ₯ Comprehensive healthcare

  • 🏝️ Unlimited PTO

  • πŸ—ΊοΈ Annual offsite (last one in Mexico!)

  • ✈️ Paid relocation & one-month temporary housing

  • πŸ’» Latest tech and as many monitors as you can fit on a desk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the Founding Sales role at sphinx?
The listed salary for this Founding Sales position at sphinx is USD 140K–250K/yr. This is an FullTime role.
Where is the Founding Sales position at sphinx located?
This Founding Sales role at sphinx is based in San Francisco. The position is listed as on-site or hybrid. Check the full job description or apply directly to confirm the work arrangement.
Is the Founding Sales role at sphinx full-time or part-time?
This is listed as a FullTime position. It is posted as a Founding Sales role in the Sales department at sphinx.
Which team or department does the Founding Sales at sphinx belong to?
This Founding Sales position is part of the Sales department at sphinx. See the full job description for more information about the team structure and responsibilities.
How do I apply for the Founding Sales position at sphinx?
Click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be redirected to sphinx's official application portal hosted on ashby where you can submit your application directly.
When was the Founding Sales job at sphinx posted?
This Founding Sales position at sphinx was posted on Feb 22, 2026. Apply as soon as possible β€” early applications are often reviewed first.
Founding Sales
sphinx Β· πŸ’° USD 140K–250K/yr
Apply for this role β†—

You'll be redirected to sphinx's official application page on Ashby ATS.