VP Sales — Bay Area

Description

Arulean Air LLC is seeking a VP Sales to serve as the primary client-facing sales professional in the Bay Area territory. Per industry convention in private aviation, the "VP" title reflects client-facing seniority; the core mission of this role is direct relationship building with high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and corporate clients, driving pipeline growth, and closing high-value contracts. The ideal candidate brings deep connections within the Bay Area's technology, venture capital, and finance ecosystems and can articulate the value of private aviation through the lens of time efficiency and productivity – the language that resonates most with this market.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

1. Client Acquisition & Relationship Management

• Develop and manage a portfolio of HNWI and corporate client relationships within the Bay Area territory
• Conduct consultative, solution-oriented sales — presenting private aviation as a productivity and time-efficiency tool, resonating with ROI-driven and data-oriented tech/VC clients
• Make initial contact with leads handed off from Inside Sales within 24 hours
• Build and expand relationships through personal networking, industry events, and Arulean Air's affinity partnerships
• Nurture long-term client relationships to drive retention, renewals, and referrals

2. Pipeline & Quota Management

• Own and deliver individual territory revenue and pipeline targets
• Maintain a disciplined sales cadence: prospecting, lead follow-up, proposal development, negotiation, and close
• Keep the territory pipeline consistently healthy across volume, quality, and velocity
• Log all client touchpoints, deal stages, and forecast data in CRM with accuracy and timeliness
• Report pipeline, progress, and challenges to Head of Sales in weekly 1-on-1s

3. Proposal & Negotiation

• Prepare and deliver compelling proposals and presentations to prospective clients
• Negotiate high-value contracts with sophistication and integrity
• Articulate the performance, features, and competitive advantages of both program aircraft, the HondaJet HA-420 (light jet) and the Bombardier Challenger 3500 (super-midsize), clearly and persuasively
• Coordinate with CSO on program content, pricing, and competitive positioning as needed

4. Territory & Market Development

• Leverage deep knowledge of Bay Area affluent market segments: technology, venture capital, biotech, finance, and startup ecosystems
• Tailor messaging and value propositions to tech-savvy prospects who prioritize ROI, data, and efficiency
• Identify and pursue new prospect pools through industry-specific networking (tech conferences, VC events, founder communities) and strategic partnerships
• Maintain current knowledge of key Bay Area airports (SJC, OAK, SFO, SQL, PAO, CCR, etc.) and regional travel patterns
• Monitor competitive activity within the territory and report insights to Head of Sales and CSO

5. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Head of Sales: Weekly 1-on-1s for pipeline review, territory strategy, and key deal consultation
• CSO: Coordinate on program content, pricing, and competitive responses
• Inside Sales: Receive lead handoffs; record contact results and prospect temperature in CRM for feedback loop
• Marketing Manager: Co-plan Bay Area local events and provide prospect insights to inform campaign design
• CEO: Request executive-level support for key client meetings through Head of Sales

6. Compliance

• Strictly comply with company disclosure restrictions — do not disclose undisclosed program details even to clients
• Maintain ethical sales practices and uphold Arulean Air's brand standards in every client interaction
• Escalate unclear or sensitive client questions to Head of Sales or CSO immediately

Required Qualifications

Experience

• 7+ years of progressive sales experience in a high-value, relationship-driven environment
• Minimum 3 years of direct client-facing sales in private aviation, fractional ownership, charter brokerage, luxury real estate, financial services, or comparable luxury/HNWI market
• Proven track record of consistently meeting or exceeding individual revenue quotas
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with C-suite executives, startup founders, venture capitalists, and high-net-worth individuals
• Existing network within the Bay Area technology and finance community strongly preferred

Skills & Competencies

• Consultative Selling: Ability to diagnose client needs and propose tailored solutions; comfort positioning private aviation as a business productivity tool
• Relationship Building: Exceptional interpersonal skills with the credibility and sophistication to engage HNWI and executive-level clients, particularly within the tech/VC ecosystem
• Negotiation: Proven ability to navigate complex, high-value contract negotiations with integrity
• Product Knowledge: Ability to articulate the performance, features, and competitive advantages of the HondaJet HA-420 (light jet) and the Bombardier Challenger 3500 (super-midsize), and to match each client mission to the right aircraft; private aviation industry knowledge required
• CRM Discipline: Proficiency in Salesforce or comparable CRM platforms with strong data hygiene habits
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills; polished presentation ability; comfort with data-driven conversations
• Self-Direction: Ability to manage a territory independently with minimal supervision while maintaining alignment with organizational goals
• Market Knowledge: Deep understanding of the Bay Area tech, VC, and startup landscape; familiarity with the business culture and networking channels of this ecosystem

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field required
• MBA or advanced degree preferred