Account Executive

Location: Chicago, IL

Office: 3 days/week in South Loop office

Reports to: Chief Business Officer

Salary Range: $135,000 – $145,000 base + commission & equity (Target OTE $250,000)

About Tavern Research

Tavern Research is a political tech startup building tools and insights to help our customers win elections and make better, evidence-based decisions. We specialize in scaling expert human work, such as content generation and survey research to support thoughtful, data-driven civic engagement. We're a venture-backed, mission-driven, fast-moving, and mostly technical team focused on supporting campaigns and organizations working to strengthen democratic participation. We are experimental by design and expect every team member to continuously improve how they work using new tools and technology. Everything else is on our website. If you still have questions, let us know when you apply!

About You

You are a consultative seller who understands how political organizations make decisions and buy services. You’re comfortable owning a full sales cycle, navigating complex stakeholder groups, and translating technical concepts into clear business value. You don’t just pitch. You diagnose problems and prescribe solutions.

You are also a Tavern employee, which means you tinker, experiment, and continuously improve how you work. You are curious about new tools and technology, actively refine your process, and adapt quickly as markets shift.

About the role

The Account Executive is responsible for revenue generation at Tavern. You will lead full sales cycles for Tavern’s survey, message testing, and ad creation offerings from prospecting to close. This is a senior, highly autonomous role focused on building pipeline, closing complex deals, and shaping the foundation of our sales function as we scale.

This is not a transactional sales role. We believe revenue should compound over time through better data, sharper positioning, and faster adaptation. You will be expected to think systematically about what you learn in each cycle and use that intelligence to improve the next.

You will work closely with leadership and Client Delivery to ensure strong customer outcomes and a repeatable, data-driven sales motion.

Responsibilities

Sales Execution and Revenue Ownership

• Own the full sales cycle from prospecting through close
• Consistently meet or exceed revenue targets
• Conduct consultative discovery and tailor Tavern solutions to client needs
• Develop technical fluency in Tavern’s methodology to handle buyer questions
• Lead proposal development, RFP responses, and contract negotiations
• Identify and drive expansion opportunities within existing accounts

Pipeline Development

• Build relationships across campaigns, PACs, agencies, and advocacy organizations
• Source and generate high-quality prospects within the political and advocacy ecosystem through outreach, networking, and strategic industry engagement
• Qualify inbound leads and convert interest into revenue

Sales Operations, Intelligence & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Maintain accurate CRM records and sales forecasts
• Participate in pipeline reviews and revenue planning
• Support the creation of sales materials and case studies

• Capture client feedback to inform product development
• Design and refine a systematic sales process that compounds learning over time
• Analyze sales data and patterns to continuously improve messaging, positioning, and targeting
• Ensure smooth handoff to Client Delivery after close

Qualifications

• 5 to 8 years of experience in B2B sales, political tech, advocacy, or related fields
• Proven track record of hitting or exceeding quota in a consultative sales environment
• Full cycle sales experience in complex, multi-stakeholder deals
• Active problem solver who adjusts strategy as markets shift and identifies opportunities others miss
• Strong communication skills with senior decision makers
• Ability to learn and explain technical concepts
• Highly self-directed with strong organizational discipline
• Comfort operating in an early-stage, fast-changing environment

Preferred experience: Political campaigns, advocacy organizations, research/polling sales, digital advertising, or political tech companies

Benefits

• Premium health insurance
• Unlimited PTO
• Office closed for all federal holidays
• 401k match
• Equity