At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the sales strategy and build a high-performing commercial team in natural capital markets.
- Company: Join a purpose-driven business pioneering biodiversity and natural capital across the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy equity options, a competitive salary, private health, and 25 days holiday.
- Why this job: Shape the future of environmental assets with autonomy and real impact on society.
- Qualifications: Proven sales leadership experience, emotional intelligence, and a hands-on approach are essential.
- Other info: This role offers board-track progression and the chance to expand into Europe and Asia.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
We’re thrilled to be working exclusively with a natural capital provider – a purpose-driven, rapidly scaling business pioneering the future of biodiversity and natural capital markets across the UK. With inbound demand sky-high and a pipeline of high-margin projects ready to go, they’re now looking to appoint their first-ever Commercial Director, someone to drive revenue, build the sales function from scratch, and help shape the future of the UK's emerging environmental asset class.
This is a pivotal hire with a clear mandate: unlock growth, reduce dependency on founders, and lead the charge into new markets.
The Role
This isn’t about maintaining what’s already in place, it’s about building what’s next. You’ll be:
- Taking full ownership of the UK sales strategy across BNG, natural capital, and environmental markets.
- Hiring and leading a high-performing commercial team.
- Driving revenue growth.
- Designing scalable processes and implementing automation to remove bottlenecks.
- Representing the business at industry events and building relationships with top-tier clients and gatekeepers.
- Helping the business secure strategic frameworks, win tenders, and expand into new markets like Voluntary BNG.
What’s in it for you?
- Make Your Mark – This is a rare chance to step into a blank canvas commercial role with full autonomy and broad visibility. You’ll be shaping a market, not just responding to one.
- Equity & Upside – Join a business backed by committed capital, where you can benefit from EMI options and a share in future value creation. Real equity. Real exit potential.
- Purpose & Impact – Help unlock environmental and societal value through the UK’s most exciting biodiversity-led land strategy. This is commercial work with lasting impact.
- Backed but Nimble – Work with a sharp, high-calibre founding team, who bring deep technical, legal, and financial firepower. They’ve already delivered 11 habitat banks, with 40 more in the pipeline.
- Progression – This is a board-track role. As the business grows, so will you, with potential to step into a CCO or MD position as markets expand into Europe and Asia.
What Do You Need to Bring?
- A proven background in sales leadership, ideally within strategic land, planning, real estate, or infrastructure.
- High emotional intelligence – you’ll need to read a room as well as a balance sheet.
- Ability to build trust and close complex deals without rigid pricing or product structures.
- Hunger, humility, and a hands-on approach – this is not a ‘big team, big budget’ type gig.
- Experience working with developers, agents, or planning consultancies is highly desirable.
- Knowledge of BNG, net gain, or environmental compliance is a bonus, but not essential.
You’ll also have the green light to build your own team across sales, BD, and account management as you deliver results.
The Package
- Base salary: c. £100,000 (flexible DOE)
- Performance bonus + commission structure
- EMI equity scheme access
- Private health, pension, 25 days holiday
- London HQ (Victoria/Waterloo) | Office-first hybrid (3/4 days)
Contact Detail:
Rockbourne Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial and Land Director (City of London)
✨Tip Number 1
Network actively within the natural capital and environmental markets. Attend industry events, webinars, and conferences to meet key players and potential clients. Building relationships in this niche sector can give you a significant edge.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your sales leadership experience by discussing specific strategies you've implemented in previous roles. Be prepared to share examples of how you've built teams and driven revenue growth, as this will resonate with what they're looking for.
✨Tip Number 3
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and regulations in biodiversity net gain (BNG) and environmental compliance. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role and the industry.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss how you would approach building a sales strategy from scratch. Think about the processes you would implement and how you would measure success, as this aligns perfectly with the company's need for a proactive leader.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial and Land Director (City of London)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in sales leadership, particularly within strategic land, planning, or real estate. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to drive revenue growth and build teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for natural capital and biodiversity. Discuss how your skills align with the company's mission and how you can contribute to shaping their sales strategy.
Showcase Emotional Intelligence: During the application process, emphasise your high emotional intelligence. Provide examples of how you've successfully navigated complex deals and built trust with clients in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Knowledge: If you have experience or knowledge related to BNG, net gain, or environmental compliance, make sure to include this in your application. Even if it's not essential, it could set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Rockbourne
✨Showcase Your Sales Leadership Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous roles in sales leadership, particularly in strategic land or real estate. Highlight specific achievements and how you drove revenue growth in those positions.
✨Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence
Since high emotional intelligence is crucial for this role, think of examples where you've successfully navigated complex interpersonal situations. Show that you can read a room and adapt your approach accordingly.
✨Prepare for Strategic Thinking Questions
Expect questions about how you would develop and implement a sales strategy from scratch. Be ready to share your vision for the future of the UK’s natural capital market and how you would position the company within it.
✨Emphasise Your Hands-On Approach
This role requires a hands-on mentality, so be ready to discuss how you've rolled up your sleeves in past roles. Share examples of how you've built teams or processes from the ground up, demonstrating your proactive nature.