Senior Account Executive, SLED (East)

About the role

Cohere is a security‑first enterprise AI company building foundation models and end‑to‑end products for real‑world business problems. With headquarters in Toronto and offices worldwide, Cohere serves a global customer base. The Account Executive will own the full sales cycle for State, Local, and Higher Education (SLED) customers in the Western United States, driving business development, partnership building, and product feedback.

Responsibilities

• Drive net‑new customer acquisition through targeted outbound activity, senior leader engagement, and relationship building across SLED organizations.
• Develop and execute a sales plan and prioritization for the SLED market in your territory, identifying pathways and partners to scale growth regionally.
• Act as a trusted advisor and thought partner to SLED customers and prospects, shaping AI solutions that deliver measurable value.
• Work closely with channel and local partners—including distributors, VARs, and system integrators—to scale outreach, accelerate adoption, and maximize customer success.
• Leverage senior‑level relationships with executives and government decision‑makers to drive strategic opportunities and long‑term partnerships.
• Collaborate with Product and Engineering teams on strategic efforts to deliver enterprise and public‑sector solutions.
• Partner with Sales Development Representatives (SDRs) and Marketing to drive top‑of‑funnel activity and overall territory growth.
• Own the full sales cycle: discovery, technical and business validation, proof‑of‑concept, procurement, and deal close within a team‑selling environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of direct public‑sector sales experience in the SLED market with a proven track record of closing $2M+ annual quotas.
• Deep knowledge of SLED procurement cycles, decision‑making processes, and experience working with resellers, VARs, and distributors.
• Established regional network of state and local departments, agencies, prime contractors, and industry associations.
• Experience selling SaaS, AI/ML, or enterprise software solutions to government clients.
• High tolerance for ambiguity; ability to strategize and execute hands‑on market building.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple internal and external stakeholders across fast‑moving deals.
• Creative and technically savvy, able to structure unique, mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Excellent communication skills: deep listening, understanding senior decision‑makers’ priorities, and presenting to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Preference for candidates in California, Texas, Washington, Arizona, or Colorado with willingness to travel 25‑35%.

Benefits

• Weekly lunch stipend of $75/£75 (or equivalent in local currency).
• Full health and dental benefits, including a separate mental‑health budget.
• RRSP matching, 401(k), and pension scheme.
• 100% parental‑leave top‑up for up to 6 months for either parent.
• Annual enrichment benefits covering arts & culture, fitness/wellness, quality‑time activities, and a workspace‑improvement credit.
• Education & learning stipend for conferences, courses, and coaching.
• Six weeks of paid vacation (30 working days).
• Travel budget for visiting other offices and an annual company off‑site.
• Remote‑friendly work model with co‑working benefit and $500 home‑office stipend.
• Daily lunch program, snacks, and regular community events for office‑based employees.

Pay

Compensation range: $230,000 – $430,000 base salary, reflecting Cohere’s fair and transparent pay practices. Actual compensation will consider location, level, knowledge, skills, education, and experience.