At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic sales team and drive enterprise growth across EMEA.
- Company: Contentful is a leading digital experience platform transforming how businesses engage with content.
- Benefits: Enjoy stock options, generous paid time off, and wellness stipends for a balanced life.
- Why this job: Join a diverse team in a fast-paced tech environment that values innovation and inclusivity.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in sales management and 3+ years in direct sales, preferably in SaaS.
- Other info: This is a speculative role; apply now to be considered for future openings.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
At Contentful, we are always searching for top candidates to lead our global team of Account Executives. We are particularly interested in leadership candidates with experience in the DACH, Nordic, French or Southern EMEA regions. This is a speculative job description, and an immediate opening may not be available. However, we still encourage interested candidates to apply. In the first instance, a recruitment team member will be in touch to discuss your profile and explain more about Contentful.
The position of the Area Sales Director Enterprise is a critical role in our EMEA Sales team, reporting to the Regional VP of Enterprise sales in EMEA. You will be managing a sales team of Enterprise Account Executives with the task to hire and develop the best talent in the market to strategically increase sales presence throughout EMEA. As an experienced mentor with a strong enterprise software sales background, you are responsible for supporting your team in complex procurements and go-to-market initiatives and being a senior stakeholder for the customers in your region. Since your role is quota-carrying, you own the regional forecast, identify and mitigate risks, tackle opportunities, and constantly uplevel your team through outstanding leadership and coaching.
What to expect?
- Develop and implement effective recruitment strategies to attract top talent, conduct thorough hiring processes to select qualified candidates, and provide comprehensive training programs to onboard and develop new team members.
- Contribute to the regional strategy with metrics, observations, and market research.
- Create processes, set best practices, and build replicable patterns for regional go-to-market initiatives.
- Serve as senior stakeholder and point of escalation internally and in customer engagements.
- Support team members in customer meetings and pitches.
- Be a mentor and provide hands-on coaching and professional development for AEs and the wider team.
- Conduct weekly forecasts and oversee sales development goals, metrics, and quota achievement.
- Proactive cross-functionally collaboration with Marketing, Recruitment, Human Resources, Partnerships and Customer Success to align regional strategy.
What you need to be successful?
- 5+ years of management experience in a sales team.
- 3+ years of direct sales (closing) experience, preferably technical SaaS.
- Fluent written and verbal communication skills in at least one European language is a huge plus - German, Swedish, French, Spanish, etc.
- Experience growing and scaling a high-performing and inclusive sales team, fostering diversity in backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.
- You’re data-driven and have an analytical approach to identifying trends in pipeline and performance.
- You’re a highly effective and empathetic communicator.
- You are a confident leader with previous executive customer exposure.
- Ability to analyze data, extract and present information, market data, and produce concise business documents and initiatives.
- Familiarity with the UKI market and proficiency in additional European languages would be advantageous.
- Willingness to travel (up to 40%).
- Experience working with Salesforce and standard office suites.
What’s in it for you?
- Join an ambitious tech company reshaping the way people build digital experiences.
- Full-time employees receive Stock Options for the opportunity to share in the success of our company.
- Fertility and family building benefits, including a lifetime reimbursable wallet to support your growing family.
- We value Work-Life balance and You Time!
- A generous amount of paid time off, including vacation days, sick days, education days, compassion days for loss, and volunteer days.
- Time off to care for and focus on your growing family.
- Use your personal annual education budget to improve your skills and grow in your career.
- Enjoy a full range of virtual and in-person events, including workshops, guest speakers, and fun team activities, supporting learning and networking exchange beyond the usual work duties.
- An annual wellbeing stipend to care for your physical, financial, or emotional health.
- A monthly communication phone/internet stipend and phone hardware upgrade reimbursement.
- New hire office equipment stipend for hybrid or distributed employees.
Who are we?
Contentful is a leading digital experience platform that helps modern businesses meet the growing demand for engaging, personalized content at scale. By blending composability with native AI capabilities, Contentful enables dynamic personalization, automated content delivery, and real-time experimentation, powering next-generation digital experiences across brands, regions, and channels for more than 4,200 organizations worldwide. More than 700 people from more than 70 nations contribute their energy and creativity to Contentful, working from hubs in Berlin, Denver, San Francisco, London, New York, and distributed worldwide.
“Everyone is welcome here” is a celebrated component of our culture. At Contentful, we strive to create an inclusive environment that empowers our employees. We believe that our products and services benefit from our diverse backgrounds and experiences, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, physical [dis]ability, or length of time spent unemployed. We invite you to apply and join us!
If you need reasonable accommodations at any point during the application or interview process, please let your recruiting coordinator know.
Contact Detail:
Contentful Recruiting Team
security-esk@contentful.com
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Area Sales Director - Enterprise
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the SaaS industry, especially those who have experience in the DACH, Nordic, French, or Southern EMEA regions. Attend relevant conferences and events to connect with potential colleagues and learn more about the market.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Contentful's products and services. Understanding their digital experience platform will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the company and its mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully built and scaled sales teams in the past. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've fostered diversity and inclusion within your teams.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on the latest trends in enterprise software sales and the competitive landscape. Being knowledgeable about current market dynamics will position you as a strong candidate who can contribute valuable insights to the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Area Sales Director - Enterprise
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in sales management and enterprise software. Emphasise your leadership roles, achievements in team development, and any specific metrics that demonstrate your success.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and the company. Mention your familiarity with the EMEA market and how your background aligns with Contentful's goals. Use specific examples to illustrate your leadership style and successes.
Highlight Language Skills: If you speak any European languages, especially German, Swedish, French, or Spanish, make sure to highlight these skills prominently. This can set you apart from other candidates and show your ability to engage with diverse clients.
Showcase Data-Driven Achievements: Since the role requires a data-driven approach, include examples of how you've used data to drive sales performance or improve team outcomes. This could be through forecasting, analysing trends, or implementing successful strategies based on data insights.
How to prepare for a job interview at Contentful
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As an Area Sales Director, your leadership skills are crucial. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed and developed sales teams in the past, particularly in the EMEA regions mentioned. Highlight your mentoring style and how it has positively impacted team performance.
✨Demonstrate Your Data-Driven Approach
Contentful values a data-driven mindset. Come equipped with insights from your previous roles where you used data to identify trends, forecast sales, or improve team performance. Be ready to discuss how you analyse data and make informed decisions based on your findings.
✨Prepare for Complex Scenarios
Given the nature of enterprise sales, expect to be asked about handling complex procurements and customer engagements. Prepare scenarios where you successfully navigated challenges, showcasing your problem-solving skills and ability to support your team during critical moments.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Contentful's Culture
Contentful prides itself on inclusivity and diversity. Research their company culture and values, and think about how your own experiences align with these principles. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to fostering an inclusive environment within the sales team.