Investment Sales Director in Salford

AJ Bell is seeking an experienced Investment Sales Director to define and execute the investment sales strategy that drives the adoption and growth of AJ Bell Investments, including funds, MPS and Partnership MPS, across AJ Bell Investcentre and third‑party platforms. This is a senior leadership role with accountability for shaping how our investment solutions are positioned, distributed and evolved to meet the changing needs of adviser firms and their clients. Operating at enterprise level, the role combines commercial ownership, strategic influence and disciplined execution.

Working closely with the Strategic Partnership Director and Platform Sales Director, the Investment Sales Director will identify and activate new adviser firm segments, unlock cross‑selling opportunities between platform and investment propositions and ensure a joined‑up approach to distribution across the business.

What does the job involve?

• Sales Strategy & Leadership: Define and own the investment sales strategy across funds, MPS and Partnership MPS, aligned to AJ Bell’s broader advised and platform ambitions. Translate strategic objectives into clear, executable plans for Investment BDMs, with defined priorities, target segments and success measures. Set stretching but achievable sales targets and KPIs, holding the team accountable for delivery through robust performance management. Ensure a consistent, professional and senior‑level approach to adviser engagement across all regions and channels.
• People Management & Capability Development: Lead, coach and develop Investment BDMs to operate as trusted, senior‑level partners to adviser firms rather than transactional sales resources. Build capability in areas such as consultative selling, CIP and MPS discussions, partnership distribution and strategic account management. Foster a strong performance culture, underpinned by clear expectations, feedback, development planning and succession thinking. Act as a role model for collaboration, professionalism and customer‑centric behaviour. Work with the Strategic Partnership Director to identify, target and activate new adviser firm segments for AJ Bell investment solutions. Lead senior‑level engagement with strategic adviser firms, influencing CIP design, MPS adoption and long‑term partnership decisions. Identify and develop opportunities for Partnership MPS, including defining the target profile, value proposition and go‑to‑market approach. Represent AJ Bell Investments in key adviser and industry forums where appropriate.
• Cross‑Selling & Enterprise Collaboration: Partner closely with the Platform Sales Director to identify and execute cross‑selling opportunities between platform and investment solutions. Ensure advisers using AJ Bell platforms are aware of, and can easily access, the full AJ Bell investment solution set. Likewise, support investment‑led relationships to expand into broader platform adoption where appropriate. Champion a joined‑up approach across sales teams to avoid duplication, friction or inconsistent messaging.
• Product & Proposition Development: Play a significant role in defining the optimal investment product solution set, informed by adviser feedback, sales insight and market trends. Work closely with the Managing Directors of Advised and Investments to ensure AJ Bell’s funds and MPS propositions remain competitive, scalable and forward‑thinking. Contribute to the evolution of investment solutions in response to changing adviser business models, regulatory developments, the evolving tax landscape and client needs. Act as a key voice of the adviser and distribution community into product, investment and proposition discussions.
• Governance, Reporting & Risk: Maintain oversight of sales activity, pipeline health, inflows and outflows, providing clear and insightful reporting to senior management. Ensure all sales activity is conducted in line with regulatory requirements, internal governance and AJ Bell’s risk appetite.

About you

• Competence: Proven senior leadership experience in investment distribution, sales or strategic account management. Demonstrable success in building and executing sales strategies across funds and MPS propositions. Experience managing and developing high‑performing sales teams. Strong commercial judgement with the ability to balance growth, risk and long‑term sustainability.
• Knowledge & Skills: Deep understanding of adviser business models, CIPs and investment governance. Strong knowledge of MPS, OEICs and partnership‑style investment solutions. Clear understanding of platform‑based distribution models, including third‑party platforms. Ability to operate credibly with senior stakeholders, both internally and externally. Strategic thinking combined with practical execution capability. Excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Qualifications: Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning (or Level 4 equivalent) – desirable.

About us

AJ Bell is one of the fastest‑growing investment platform businesses in the UK offering an award‑winning range of solutions that caters for everyone, from professional financial advisers to DIY investors with little to no experience. We have over 644,000 customers using our award‑winning platform propositions to manage assets totalling more than £103.3 billion. Our customers trust us with their investments, and by continuously striving to make investing easier, we aim to help even more people take control of their financial futures. Having listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in December 2018, AJ Bell is now a FTSE 250 company. Headquartered in Manchester with offices in central London and Bristol, we now have over 1,500 employees and have been named one of the UK's 'Best 100 Companies to Work For’ for six consecutive years and in 2025 named a Great Place to Work®.

At AJ Bell you can expect a friendly working environment with a strong sense of teamwork, we have a great sense of pride in what we do, and this is reflected in our guiding principles.

Our perks and benefits:

• Starting holiday entitlement of 28 days, increasing up to 31 days with length of service plus a holiday buy and sell scheme.
• A choice of pension schemes with matched contributions up to 8%.
• Discretionary bonus scheme.
• Buy As You Earn (BAYE) Scheme.
• PMI Health Cash Plan – provided by SimplyHealth.
• Discounted private healthcare scheme and dental plan.
• Free gym membership.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Sick pay+ pledge.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave.
• Loans for travel season tickets.
• Charitable giving opportunities through salary sacrifice.
• Calendar of social events, including monthly payday drinks, annual Christmas party, summer party and much more.
• Ongoing technical training.
• Peer recognition scheme, with rewards including restaurant and shopping vouchers or time off.
• Monthly leadership breakfasts and lunches.
• Casual dress code.
• Access to a range of benefits from our sponsorship deals.

At AJ Bell, our people are the heart of our culture. We believe in building strong connections by working together. That’s why we offer a hybrid working model, where you’ll spend a minimum of 50% of your working time per month in the Manchester office. For new team members, an initial period will be full‑time in the office to help you immerse yourself in our business and build valuable relationships with your colleagues.

AJ Bell is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and all employees are empowered to bring their whole self to work. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy, religion, physical and mental disability, marital status and any other characteristics protected by the Equality Act 2010. All decisions to hire are based on qualifications, merit and business need.

If you like the sound of the above, or just want to know more about the company and the role, we’d love to speak to you.