PEO Sales, Account Executive

About the role

This is a true ground-floor opportunity: you'll be among the first sellers closing PEO business at Gusto, working directly with the Head of PEO Sales to prove out and scale the motion. You'll drive new PEO revenue by selling Gusto's co-employment solution to both net-new prospects and our existing base of 400,000+ customers — Gusto's single biggest competitive advantage over legacy PEOs. The market opportunity is real, the pace is fast, and the early sellers on this team will help define what "good" looks like.

Requirements

• PEO / HCM Sales Experience: 4+ years in a closing sales role, ideally in PEO, HCM, or benefits. Direct PEO selling experience is strongly preferred.
• Quota Attainment: Consistent, demonstrable track record of meeting and exceeding individual sales targets.
• Full-Cycle Ownership: Proven ability to own a deal end to end — prospecting, discovery, multi-stakeholder navigation, and close — in a consultative, complex sale.
• Selling-Season Fluency: Familiarity with PEO's Jan 1 selling cycle (Sept–Dec pipeline build, renewal dynamics) is a strong plus and a key screen for PEO-specific experience vs. generic HCM.
• Install-Base Conversion: Experience selling into or converting an existing customer base to a higher-tier or adjacent product is a plus.
• Channel Familiarity: Understanding of broker, GA, and accountant referral channels in the PEO or benefits space.
• Sales Acumen: Strong working knowledge of inbound and outbound sales methodologies in SMB SaaS or HCM/PEO environments.
• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively across HR, Benefits, Product, and Marketing; excellent interpersonal skills.
• AI Fluency: Proven, day-to-day experience integrating AI into how you work — across writing, research, prep, and summarization as a core part of your workflow, with a track record of giving clear, useful feedback that helps improve your tools and processes.
• Technical Proficiency: Salesforce.com (SFDC) experience required; familiarity with HCM platforms and benefits administration tools preferred.

Qualifications

• Cash Compensation: $115,000 to $129,500 USD for Denver, Phoenix, Atlanta, Chicago metro areas and $140,000 to $150,000 USD for San Francisco & New York. This OTE is structured with a target 60% base pay and 40% commission pay with an uncapped commission structure.
• Office Expectations: Employees who are based in Gusto's physical office spaces in Denver, San Francisco, and New York City will be expected to work from the office on designated days approximately 2-3 days per week (or more depending on role).

Benefits

• Competitive base pay, benefits, and equity (RSUs) — because everyone who helps build Gusto should share in its success.
• Offer amounts are determined by role, level, and location.
• Learn more about our Total Rewards philosophy.

Skills

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience with AI tools and technologies.
• Knowledge of PEO compliance, co-employment regulations, and applicable state and federal employment law.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance.
• 401(k) matching.
• Flexible work schedule.
• Professional development opportunities.

Pay

• $115,000 to $129,500 USD for Denver, Phoenix, Atlanta, Chicago metro areas and $140,000 to $150,000 USD for San Francisco & New York.

Schedule

• Employees who are based in Gusto's physical office spaces in Denver, San Francisco, and New York City will be expected to work from the office on designated days approximately 2-3 days per week (or more depending on role).