Sales Director
At a glance
Director-level Sales Leadership role at Universal Business Team. Watford · full-time · £150,000 base.
growthroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Set the commercial growth plan with the CEO and take charge of customer acquisition from first lead through account growth
- Develop sales routes through frameworks, tenders, partnerships, referrals and marketing, then track their commercial results
- Position design consultancy as part of a consultative sales approach that opens up project delivery work
- Lead major bids, pitches and negotiations, building senior client relationships and winning complex, high-value contracts
- Build and manage the business development, marketing and sales support team, with clear forecasts and accountable reporting
What you bring
- A senior commercial leadership record in construction, fit-out, modular, design-and-build or another project-led B2B field
- Evidence of creating routes to market through frameworks, partnerships, tendering and strategic business development
- A history of consultative selling and winning complex, high-value opportunities, including work with C-suite or board leaders
- Experience leading sales, business development and marketing teams, with strong command of pipeline forecasting and profitability
Who this fits
This suits a commercially minded director ready to lead acquisition and a cross-functional commercial team while working directly with the CEO and senior leadership team. The role is based on-site in Watford.
From the employer
Our client delivers interior fit-out, modular new-build and specialist furniture projects, primarily within the private education sector. Following a successful transition from an owner-managed business, the company is now led by a growth-focused CEO who is investing in the leadership, commercial capability and infrastructure required to significantly scale the organisation over the next five years.
This is a rare opportunity for a commercially astute Sales Director to shape the growth trajectory of a profitable and highly respected business. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will own the entire customer acquisition strategy, from market positioning and channel development through to conversion and long-term account growth.
You will take responsibility for developing strategic routes to market, including framework agreements, tender opportunities, partnerships and marketing activity. A key focus will be elevating the company's consultative proposition, ensuring its design consultancy expertise is positioned as a strategic differentiator that drives project delivery opportunities.
Success in this role requires a credible, commercially minded leader who can engage at C-Suite level, influence senior stakeholders and build trusted relationships across the sector. Equally important is the ability to create, lead and inspire a high-performing commercial team capable of supporting ambitious growth plans.
This is a genuine leadership opportunity for someone who wants to leave a lasting mark on a business undergoing significant transformation and expansion.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the commercial growth strategy alongside the CEO.
- Own all customer acquisition activity, including inbound and outbound sales, framework agreements, tender opportunities, strategic partnerships, referral networks and marketing
- Lead marketing, brand positioning, digital campaigns, LinkedIn activity and lead generation to deliver measurable commercial outcomes.
- Drive a consultative sales approach that strengthens the link between design consultancy and project delivery.
- Personally lead major opportunities and strategic pursuits, securing high-value contracts and long-term client relationships.
- Build trusted relationships with C-Suite executives, bursars, governors, estates teams and other senior decision makers.
- Deliver compelling presentations, proposals and commercial pitches.
- Own conversion from lead to closed business, with reliable, evidenced pipeline forecasts and honest, stage-gated reporting the board can trust.
- Build, develop and lead a high-performing commercial team across business development, marketing and sales support.
- Establish a culture of accountability, energy, collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Contribute to wider business strategy as a key member of the senior leadership team.
Requirements
- Proven success in a senior sales, commercial or business development leadership role within construction, fit-out, modular construction, design & build or another project-led B2B environment.
- Exceptional stakeholder engagement. You will build strong relationships and a strong network across the sector, including bursars, governors and estates teams.
- Demonstrable experience developing routes to market through sales, frameworks, partnerships, tendering and strategic business development.
- Strong track record of consultative selling and securing complex, high-value opportunities.
- Experience engaging, influencing and negotiating with C-Suite and board-level stakeholders.
- Exceptional presentation, communication, networking and relationship-building skills.
- Experience leading and developing successful sales, business development and marketing teams.
- Strong commercial acumen with a clear understanding of pipeline management, forecasting, profitability and growth.
- Education sector experience would be advantageous but is not essential.
- Ambitious, entrepreneurial and results-focused, with the leadership skills to build a high-performance culture.
Benefits
- Salary to £150,000 basic
- Performance-related bonus
- Car allowance.
- Longer-term incentive arrangements available
IND25
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