Head of Solutions Architecture - Startups

About the role

As a Head of Solutions Architecture for startups, you’ll build and lead the technical sales organization behind our relationships with the startups shaping how web and AI products get built. These teams ship on Vercel’s core platform, Next.js, and our AI stack, and the decisions made in their first architecture review often determine how far they scale with us. 

You’ll lead a global team of Solutions Architects in our Startups sales organization, set the technical bar across the deal cycle, coach through strategic accounts and critical deals, and step in yourself when it matters most: architecture reviews, migration plans, and high-stakes presentations. You’ll turn patterns from the field into repeatable plays, carry what startups tell you back to engineering so it shows up in the product, and own org planning, staffing, budgeting, and recruiting as you scale the team this segment needs.

This is a hybrid role with 3 in-office days per week in San Francisco, Austin, or New York City.

What you'll do

• Lead, develop, and coach the global Startups Solutions Architecture team across the pre-sales cycle
• Provide hands-on support on key accounts: presentations, architecture reviews, and migration plans
• Develop repeatable plays from the trends you see across strategic accounts and critical deals
• Partner with Sales and Field Engineering leadership to win new business and expand accounts
• Own org planning, staffing, budgeting, and recruiting

What you need

• 10+ years in Solutions Architecture, Sales Engineering, or technical pre-sales, with 5+ years in a leadership role
• Hands-on depth in modern web technologies and developer workflows: JavaScript, React, Next.js, Node.js, APIs, cloud infrastructure, and CI/CD
• Led and scaled technical teams in a high-growth environment
• Sold to and supported startups as customers across industries
• Worked across Sales, Product, and Engineering to drive customer success

Bonus if you

• Built hands-on with Vercel, Next.js, or similar frontend frameworks
• Led SA teams at a high-growth developer tool or cloud infrastructure company
• Bring expertise in developer tooling, edge computing, or performance optimization

Benefits & Compensation:

• Competitive compensation package, including equity.
• Inclusive Healthcare Package.
• Learn and Grow - we provide mentorship and send you to events that help you build your network and skills.
• Flexible Time Off.
• We will provide you the gear you need to do your role, and a WFH budget for you to outfit your space as needed.

The San Francisco, CA OTE pay range for this position is $382,000 - $485,000 OTE. Actual salary will be based on job-related skills, experience, and location. Compensation outside of San Francisco may be adjusted based on employee location. The total compensation package may include benefits, equity-based compensation, and eligibility for a company bonus or variable pay program depending on the role. Your recruiter can share more details during the hiring process.