Senior Account Executive, AdTech (Remote - SF)

Cognitiv•San Mateo, CA

4d•$120,000 - $140,000•Remote

About The Position

Are you ready to revolutionize the advertising industry? At Cognitiv, we are not just another AdTech company—we are industry trailblazers redefining media buying with our Deep Learning Advertising Platform. Since 2015, we have harnessed the power of cutting-edge deep learning technology and data science to transform how brands connect with their customers. Our mission? To bring intelligence to advertising and deliver unparalleled precision, relevance, and impact at scale. With our innovative platform, advertisers enjoy unprecedented flexibility—whether it is activating Dynamic Deals through their preferred DSP, leveraging our managed service DSP, or utilizing our industry-first ContextGPT product. As a part of Cognitiv, you will be at the forefront of AI-driven advertising solutions, driving change and achieving remarkable growth in a rapidly evolving industry. Now, we’re growing! Location: Remote - San Francisco CA PRIMARY BUSINESS OBJECTIVE In this role, you will own net-new revenue generation for the West Coast region, with full accountability for building, advancing, and closing qualified opportunities that directly support Cognitiv’s sales target and reduce dependency on RVP-held quota. This role exists to expand regional coverage, protect revenue continuity, and enable sales leadership to operate at full strategic capacity. Success requires existing brand-direct relationships and the ability to independently open doors, progress deals, and close business with large, sophisticated advertisers. This is a high-ownership role requiring sound judgment, initiative, and consistent execution in ambiguous environments. WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE You will be successful in this role if you: Own outcomes end-to-end, from first touch through close Consistently generate qualified pipeline through outbound and strategic prospecting Convert opportunities through disciplined execution of Cognitiv’s Find → Convince → Convert sales motion Deliver $1M+ in net-new revenue within the first year Forecast accurately and manage pipeline with rigor and transparency Operate independently without heavy leadership involvement Build trust through clarity, accountability, and follow-through Are viewed internally as a reliable owner and externally as a credible, trusted seller Success benchmarks are set collaboratively with your manager and reviewed regularly to ensure alignment with evolving business priorities. High performers continuously raise the bar for execution and results. KEY OUTCOMES AND PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS Success in this role is defined by consistent delivery of the following outcomes: Outcome 1: Predictable Net-New Revenue What must be true for the business to win: The West Coast region generates reliable net-new revenue without over-reliance on the RVP. Measured by: $1M+ in closed-won revenue within the first 12 months Pipeline coverage sufficient to support quota attainment Conversion rates across funnel stages Forecast accuracy and predictability Outcome 2: Effective Execution of Cognitiv’s Sales Motion The AE consistently executes Find → Convince → Convert with discipline and quality. Measured by: Strength and depth of discovery conversations Clear articulation of Cognitiv’s value proposition Objection handling, negotiation, and closing effectiveness Manager and peer assessment of deal quality Outcome 3: Regional Coverage & Revenue Resilience The AE increases coverage and reduces revenue risk in a lightly staffed region. Measured by: Independent ownership of a defined West Coast territory Ability to progress and close deals without leadership intervention Reduced volatility in pipeline and quarterly performance 90-DAY SUCCESS BENCHMARKS First 30 Days Develop deep understanding of Cognitiv’s product, platform, ICPs, and agency/brand landscape Learn and internalize Cognitiv’s sales motion, messaging, and deal structure Build working relationships with Sales leadership, BD, Client Success, and Operations Begin outbound prospecting with coaching support Establish baseline metrics for activity, pipeline, and conversion By 60 Days Independently manage an active pipeline of qualified opportunities Run discovery calls with minimal guidance Progress at least one opportunity to late stage or close Demonstrate improved objection handling and positioning Deliver measurable improvement in deal quality and conversion By 90 Days Fully own pipeline and revenue outcomes within the assigned territory Independently source, advance, and close West Coast deals No longer rely on RVP involvement to move deals forward Forecast accurately and operate as a trusted contributor Be recognized as a reliable owner by peers and cross-functional partners By 90 days, this role transitions from ramping to a fully functioning, independent contributor (C → B → A). The AE operates with minimal day-to-day guidance while staying aligned with goals and priorities.

Requirements

Proven experience carrying a quota and closing net-new business
Strong outbound prospecting capability
Consultative selling and discovery skills
Grit, resilience, and coachability
Clear communication and storytelling ability
AdTech or programmatic experience
Experience selling into agencies or brands
Existing brand-direct relationships with companies such as Turo, Uber, Lyft, Levi’s, Gap, SoFi, Adobe, Brooks Running, T-Mobile, Waymo, Allbirds, Pinterest, Salesforce, or similar