About Esper
Esper was founded in 2018 with the mission to empower dynamic and responsive policymaking in government. Esper’s goal is to align data, stakeholders, and public policy goals to streamline the policymaking process at all levels of Government. We imagine a world where policymaking is driven by data and insights from all stakeholders, and we are transforming traditional bureaucracy into a dynamic and flexible system that encourages innovation and collaboration.
Job description
Esper is seeking an Enterprise Sales Lead to own our West territory and lead all sales efforts across the region. This is a full-cycle, quota-carrying role focused on large, complex enterprise deals with state government agencies and tier 1 local governments. You will build and execute the territory plan, source new opportunities (with support from an SDR), develop a compelling value proposition for each agency, deliver executive-level and in-depth product demonstrations, multithread across agency executives and government personnel, own proposals and contract negotiations, partner with resellers, and drive every deal through close while forecasting accurately along the way.
The ideal candidate is a self-starter with a proven record of closing large, enterprise grade customers.
What you’ll do
Own the West territory end-to-end, building and executing a territory plan to generate, advance, and close large, complex enterprise deals with state government accounts.
Act as a trusted advisor to government leaders on modernizing how policy and regulations are created, managed, and published.
Source new opportunities through your own networking, prospecting, and outbound efforts, and partner closely with your SDR to convert SDR-generated meetings into qualified pipeline.
Deliver high-level executive overviews and in-depth, tailored product demonstrations, adapting the message for agency leadership, policy staff, and technical stakeholders.
Multithread every deal across agency executives and government personnel, from senior leadership and program owners to procurement, legal, and IT, building champions and consensus throughout long, multi-stakeholder buying cycles.
Lead discovery to uncover agency pain points and build a tailored value proposition that ties Esper’s platform to each agency’s use cases, policy goals, and operational outcomes.
Navigate competitive evaluations, including RFPs and formal procurements.
Guide buyers through procurement, budget, and approval processes.
Own the proposal and negotiation, from scoping and pricing through RFP responses, redlines, and final terms, in alignment with Esper’s pricing and deal standards.
Work with resellers to leverage existing contract vehicles and streamline purchasing for government buyers.
Share customer trends, competitive intelligence, and feedback on messaging and product with marketing, product, and leadership.
Maintain accurate, up-to-date CRM records of opportunities, stakeholders, meetings, and next steps.
Deliver accurate revenue forecasts.
Represent Esper at industry events and conferences, promoting the company and connecting with decision-makers.
Travel up to 50% for on-site meetings with prospects, customers, and for industry events.
What we’re looking for
7+ years of full-cycle, quota-carrying experience selling to government, with a proven track record of meeting and exceeding quota.
Demonstrated success sourcing, managing, and closing large, complex deals ranging from $150K to $2M, with long sales cycles and multiple decision-makers.
Proven ability to self-source meetings, pipeline, and deals through your own prospecting and network, while partnering effectively with SDRs.
Experience multithreading deals and building relationships with senior government executives as well as program, procurement, and technical stakeholders.
Experience working with resellers and cooperative or existing contract vehicles.
Strong consultative, value-based selling and negotiation skills, including owning proposals and contract terms.
Ability to manage multiple complex deals in parallel across a multi-state territory.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Deep familiarity with government procurement processes, including RFPs, budget cycles, and decision-making structures.
Location
This is a remote position open to U.S. candidates located on the West Coast.
Compensation
$300,000-$350,000 (Base + Commission)
Perks and Benefits
Being part of an innovative and collaborative team that will both support and challenge you
Significant opportunity for growth and ownership and to shape Esper for the long-term
Competitive salary and equity at a growing company
Paid holidays & unlimited PTO
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Generous parental & sick leave
401(k) retirement plan with employer match
Short- and long-term disability & life insurance
Flexible spending account (FSA)
Work anniversary equity grants
Monthly stipend to offset remote work expenses
Office equipment allowance
Paid Time Off to participate in volunteer/community events
Similar Jobs
What you need to know about the Chicago Tech Scene
Key Facts About Chicago Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 245,800; 5.2% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: McDonald’s, John Deere, Boeing, Morningstar
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech, software, logistics technology
- Funding Landscape: $2.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Arch Venture Partners, MATH Venture Partners, Jump Capital, Hyde Park Venture Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
