Candidates · Animate Europe
Animate Europe
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For candidates

The conversation starts long before there is a role.

We keep in touch with commercial leaders across Europe whether or not we have something for them today. When something fits, you get the whole picture rather than a job title and a salary band.

Two people in quiet conversation in a large lobby
What you can expect

Four things we will always do.

The person who calls is the person who saw the fit

Not a sourcing queue and not a different person at every stage. The person who approaches you is the person who runs the search.

The real numbers, not a range to lure you in

What the role actually pays, what the market pays for what you do, and where you sit in that range. Including when the answer is unwelcome.

You hear back, even when the answer is no

Feedback after every stage, including the no, and the reason behind it. Silence is the standard in this industry and it should not be.

Your name goes nowhere without your yes

Your name reaches a client only when you have said yes to that client. No speculative CV sending, ever.

The real numbers

What the market pays, before you ask.

This is the same benchmark we give a client when they ask what a role costs. You get it at the first conversation, not after an offer.

What the market pays
VP Sales · Enterprise SaaS · Series B–D
Base is fixed salary. The range covers the middle half of the market, the mark is the median. OTE is median base plus variable at 100 % of plan. Euros per year, 2026, equity excluded.
United Kingdom
base €120–170k median €145k OTE €210k
DACH
base €130–170k median €150k OTE €210k
Benelux
base €115–160k median €138k OTE €195k
France
base €110–150k median €130k OTE €180k
The Nordics
base €100–140k median €120k OTE €160k
Iberia
base €90–125k median €105k OTE €145k
€80k €100k €120k €140k €160k €180k
Source: Animate Europe market research, September 2026, triangulated from recruiter and compensation-platform benchmarks in each market. DACH excludes Switzerland. UK converted at £1 = €1.16. Ranges reflect capital-city and major-hub hiring; earlier-stage and regional roles sit below these bands.
How it works

What staying in touch looks like.

Most of our conversations do not lead anywhere immediately, and that is the point. We know this is a journey together. When the right mandate appears we already know what you would move for.

Two people standing together above a sea of cloud
01
An introduction
Twenty minutes on what you do now, what you would want next, and what would have to be true for you to move.
02
We stay in touch
Occasionally, and with something useful: what your role is paying now, who is hiring, what we are seeing in your market.
03
When something fits
You get the full brief: the stakeholders, what they disagree about, the money, the risks, and our honest read on whether it suits you.
04
Through the process
Preparation before each stage, feedback after it, and a straight conversation about the offer when it comes.
In their words
“I knew my skill set could be leveraged in the European & UK Insurtech markets. I was very fortunate to start working with Darren who truly has an extensive and impressive knowledge of the market and network across the Insurtech ecosystem. I’ll look forward to continuing to brainstorm with Darren and leverage his insight personally as well as when I’m in a position to expand and bring in additional team members.”
Elizabeth Del Ferro · Chief Revenue Officer
Where we work

If we do not cover your area, we will say so.

Functions
Sales Marketing Customer Success Presales RevOps Partnerships
Level and sectors
VP and Director appointments, permanent, across Europe.
Technology and SaaS, Industrial and Automation, Growth and Scale-up. See the sectors
Introduce yourself

Start the conversation early.

The best time to talk to us is when you are not looking. Tell us what you do and what would tempt you, and we will come back to you when it appears.

Your data
Held privately and never shared with a client without your explicit agreement, role by role.
Ask us at any time what we hold, and we will delete it on request. Privacy notice
What happens next
01A reply from a partner within two working days.
02A twenty minute conversation, whenever suits you.
03Nothing else, until something genuinely fits.
Name
Email
Current role
Based in
What would tempt you to move · optional, one line is plenty
A CV
Attach one to the email if you have it to hand. It is not needed to start a conversation.
I am happy for Animate Europe to hold my details and contact me about relevant roles. Required
Opens an email to Darren Timmins with your answers filled in. No mailing list, no sequence. Privacy notice