Enterprise Account Executive Search for Phonovation: Shortlist in 7 Days, Offer in 37

3 Nov

Phonovation is an Irish business messaging company, with roots in Irish telecoms going back to 1988. More than 750 Irish businesses send messages through its platform every day.

In 2026 it set out to grow a new WhatsApp Business line, and needed an Enterprise Account Executive to sell it. It chose a retained search.

The Challenge

Phonovation needed an Enterprise Account Executive to sell its new WhatsApp Business line into large organisations. Three things made the hire hard:

A new product. There was no existing book of business to hand over, so the hire had to build pipeline from nothing.
A narrow profile. The role needed enterprise selling experience or a background in messaging platforms (CPaaS).
A small senior team. Little time to interview, so every candidate put forward had to be worth meeting.

The Approach

One recruiter owned the role from brief to start date.

A clear brief. We challenged the profile at the start and agreed what the role needed before any candidate was approached.
Three sourcing channels. Our network of enterprise sellers, direct approaches to 42 targeted candidates, and a targeted advert that drew 106 applicants. Every CV was reviewed individually.
The right target pool. More than half of the candidates we approached directly came from CPaaS and enterprise SaaS companies, matching the brief.
Assessment before introduction. Every candidate was assessed against the brief before Phonovation met them.
Candidate management. Briefing before every stage, and multiple calls with each shortlisted candidate. Pay questions were raised early and settled before the offer.
Offer management. Offer, acceptance and start date managed through to day one.

The Results

A shortlist of three in 7 days, and an offer accepted in 37.

Key Outcomes

Shortlist in 7 days from the start of the search, inside our 10 to 15 working day promise
Shortlist approved the same day. All three went to interview
No one dropped out. All three shortlisted candidates stayed in the process through Stage 2
Offer made and accepted the same day, 37 days from the start of the search
Start date in 57 days from the start of the search
Around 150 candidates reviewed. Three shortlisted, one hired

Feedback from the Client

Gavin Carpenter, CEO, Phonovation

“We used John for a retained Enterprise Account Executive search, and he blew me away. He's highly experienced and challenged me on exactly what I needed from the role. His shortlist of three was so strong I'd have hired any of them. My next hire will be with John.”

Feedback from the Candidate

Enterprise Account Executive, Phonovation

“As if he had worked with the company for their recruitment for years he knew them well and could give real advice and insights throughout the process. I always felt he was championing me throughout the process and was genuine in finding both myself and the company hiring the right fit.”

Why It Works

A brief tested before the search starts, so the shortlist fits first time
Three sourcing channels, so the shortlist is not limited to people already looking
A candidate experience that keeps every shortlisted candidate in the process

See the roles behind this work in Account Executive Recruitment and Permanent Recruitment.