Sales Business Development Executive in Reading

Location: Green Park, Reading (Mon–Thu in-office, Fri WFH)

Salary: Up to £30,000 per annum (base), plus uncapped commission

Employment Type: Permanent, Full-time

About Akoni Technologies

Akoni Technologies is an IT Consulting and Resourcing company specialising in ServiceNow, Oracle Cloud, Cyber Security, Integrations, ERP, Data, DevOps and Software Engineering. We support UK public and private sector organisations by providing high-quality consultants (on-demand resourcing), outcome-based delivery teams and niche technology specialists. Alongside consulting and resourcing, Akoni is also investing in the development and commercialisation of in-house digital and AI-enabled products.

This role is a key commercial hire supporting Akoni’s continued UK growth across private-sector clients.

Role Overview

This role is ideal for someone at an early stage of their sales career who is eager to develop strong B2B sales skills within IT consulting and technology services. You will be responsible for generating and qualifying new business opportunities, engaging with prospective clients, and supporting senior sales and leadership teams in converting leads into long-term customers. This is a hands-on, revenue-generating role, focused on opening new accounts, building trusted client relationships and closing profitable deals. You will work closely with delivery, bid and leadership teams to position Akoni as a trusted digital and technology partner.

Key Responsibilities

• New Business Development
  • Identify, target and secure new UK clients across private sectors, including Financial Services, Energy, Retail, Technology, Legal and Healthcare.
  • Proactively generate new business leads through outbound cold calling, email campaigns and LinkedIn outreach.
  • Build and manage a strong sales pipeline covering consulting engagements, project delivery and IT resourcing.
  • Drive outbound business development through LinkedIn, email campaigns, networking events, framework opportunities and direct outreach.
  • Position Akoni as a trusted partner for digital transformation, cloud, cyber security, data and platform-led programmes.
  • Support early-stage selling and positioning of Akoni’s proprietary products as they are introduced to the market.
• Sales Ownership & Commercial Management
  • Own the full sales lifecycle: prospecting → qualification → pitching → proposals → negotiation → deal closure.
  • Develop tailored proposals, capability decks and pricing aligned to client needs and procurement routes.
  • Confidently negotiate day rates, margins, MSAs, SOWs, framework call-offs and commercials.
  • Ensure all deals meet agreed revenue, margin and delivery expectations.
• Client & Stakeholder Engagement
  • Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, including CIOs, CTOs, Heads of Digital, Transformation Leads, Procurement and Talent Acquisition teams.
  • Represent Akoni in client meetings, industry events, supplier days and networking forums across the UK.
  • Deliver confident, well-structured client presentations, including capability overviews, solution walk-throughs, proposals and commercial discussions.
  • Understand client challenges and shape solutions using Akoni’s consulting, resourcing and delivery capabilities.
• Market Intelligence & Pipeline Management
  • Track UK market trends across digital transformation, AI, cyber security, cloud and data.
  • Monitor competitor activity, pricing models and sector developments.
  • Maintain accurate CRM records, pipeline reporting, forecasts and performance updates for leadership.
• Internal Collaboration
  • Work closely with Technical Consultants, Marketing and Consultants to shape solutions and match skills to client needs.
  • Collaborate with Bid, Marketing and Framework teams on campaigns, tenders and client propositions.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of sales processes, propositions and go-to-market strategy.

Required Skills & Experience

Essential

• Demonstrated success in winning new clients and closing commercial deals.
• Strong understanding of IT consulting, digital transformation and resource augmentation models.
• Excellent presentation skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex technical and commercial propositions to senior stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience using CRM systems and managing structured sales pipelines.
• Comfortable engaging senior decision-makers in both public and private sectors.
• Experience selling project-based consulting and/or contract resourcing services.

Desirable

• Proven experience in UK IT sales, technology consulting sales or IT resourcing.
• Exposure to sectors such as Financial Services, Government, Energy, Retail Tech or Healthcare.
• Experience supporting or launching technology or digital products.
• Experience negotiating rates, MSAs, SOWs and commercial terms.
• Existing UK client network.

Personal Attributes

• Highly driven, target-oriented and results-focused.
• Confident and credible presenter, comfortable leading client-facing presentations, pitches and workshops.
• Professional, articulate and persuasive when representing the organisation externally.
• Commercially astute with strong business judgement.
• Professional, credible and confident with senior stakeholders.
• Self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset suited to a growing consultancy.
• Strong organisation, follow-through and time-management skills.

What’s Included at Akoni

• Uncapped commission structure.
• 24 days of holiday plus 1 additional day for your birthday (excluding bank holidays).
• Vitality Rewards, including private health insurance and discounts at high street/online retailers after probation.
• Regular meetups and events.
• Performance-based career progression with clearly defined and achievable milestones.
• Access to Reading Green Park events.