At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the UK sales strategy and drive growth in a dynamic, remote environment.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation focused on commercial success and team collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive culture that values innovation and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping sales strategies and leading high-performing teams.
- Qualifications: Proven sales leadership experience and strong strategic thinking skills required.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 71500 £ per year.
Location: Remote within the UK, with national travel for internal and external meetings
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Reporting to: Director of UK & International Sales
Closing Date: 28 August 2026
Primary Job Purpose
The Head of UK Sales is responsible for developing and delivering the sales strategy for the UK mid-market sales operation in support of the organisation's commercial objectives and growth ambitions. The role provides strategic and operational leadership across sales development, new business acquisition and account growth activities, ensuring that sales capability, resources, structures and performance support current and future business requirements. The role has accountability for sales planning, forecasting, budgeting and the leadership and development of multi-functional sales teams responsible for sales development, new business acquisition and account growth.
Working closely with the Director of UK and International Sales and as a member of the Senior Management Team, the postholder will lead the development and delivery of the UK mid-market sales plan, driving performance, capability and continuous improvement to support sustainable business growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership
- Develop and deliver the UK mid-market sales strategy, ensuring alignment with the organisation's commercial objectives, growth ambitions and overall commercial plan.
- Lead the ongoing development of the UK mid-market sales operation, ensuring appropriate structures, capability, resources, processes and performance frameworks are in place to support sustainable growth.
- Identify market opportunities, emerging trends, commercial risks and customer needs, making recommendations to improve commercial performance and sales effectiveness.
- Lead the business planning and growth initiatives as a member of the Senior Management Team.
- Lead initiatives to enhance sales capability, customer acquisition, account development and overall sales performance.
- Commercial Leadership
- Hold accountability for the commercial performance of the UK mid-market sales operation, ensuring revenue, growth and profitability objectives are achieved.
- Lead annual sales planning, forecasting and budget management activities for SDR, New Business Acquisition and Account Growth functions.
- Establish, monitor and continuously improve sales performance frameworks, targets and KPIs across the mid-market sales operation.
- Provide accurate sales performance reporting, forecasting, market intelligence and performance insights to the Executive Team and Senior Management Team.
- Ensure effective use of CRM systems, sales data and performance analytics to support decision-making and future planning.
- Leadership and Organisational Effectiveness
- Lead, develop and motivate a high-performing multi-functional sales team, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Ensure effective performance management, coaching, training and development arrangements are in place across the sales function.
- Conduct regular one-to-ones, performance reviews (PRP and Own It) and pipeline reviews with direct reports.
- Lead workforce planning, succession planning and capability development within the sales function.
- Ensure the sales function has the skills, capacity and resources required to meet current and future business requirements.
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Work collaboratively with Marketing, Operations, Product and other business leaders to ensure alignment between commercial objectives, customer requirements and operational delivery.
- Lead the resolution of operational and cross-functional issues that impact customer experience, commercial performance or growth.
- Ensure effective customer lifecycle management across lead generation, acquisition, onboarding, account development and retention activities.
- Lead the development of customer propositions, commercial solutions and strategic opportunities where senior sales leadership involvement is required.
- Sales Development (SDR)
- Provide leadership and oversight of the SDR function, ensuring lead generation, qualification and conversion activities support business growth objectives.
- Work with Marketing to optimise lead generation activity, lead quality, pipeline development and customer acquisition outcomes.
- Monitor SDR performance and ensure targets, conversion measures and quality standards are achieved.
- New Business Acquisition
- Lead the development and implementation of sales methodologies, qualification standards and performance frameworks across the new business function.
- Ensure a robust and qualified sales pipeline is maintained to support revenue growth objectives.
- Monitor conversion performance and sales effectiveness, implementing improvements where required.
- Support the progression and successful closure of complex, strategic or high-value commercial opportunities.
- Account Growth
- Lead the account growth function, ensuring retention, upsell and cross-sell opportunities are effectively targeted, measured and achieved.
- Ensure effective account planning processes are in place to maximise customer value and long-term growth.
- Monitor customer retention and account performance, implementing actions to improve customer outcomes and commercial sustainability.
- Promote a customer-focused approach to account development and relationship management.
- Continuous Improvement
- Drive continuous improvement across sales processes, systems, tools and ways of working.
- Evaluate sales resource requirements, technology, reporting and operational effectiveness, making recommendations for improvement where appropriate.
- Promote innovation, best practice and knowledge sharing across the sales function.
- Health and Safety
- To take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and of other persons who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work; and to co-operate with the British Safety Council so far as is necessary to enable it to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of all its employees.
Person Specification
- Skills & Qualifications
- Essential
- Strong commercial and strategic leadership capability.
- Ability to develop and execute sales strategies aligned to organisational objectives and growth ambition.
- Strong financial and commercial acumen, including forecasting, budgeting and performance analysis.
- Advanced Salesforce CRM and sales reporting capability, with the ability to analyse data and translate insights into commercial actions.
- Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to engage and challenge senior leaders.
- Ability to lead, motivate and develop high-performing remote and cross-functional teams.
- Strong coaching and performance management skills.
- Ability to build effective working relationships across Sales, Operations, Marketing and other business functions.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
- Advanced Excel and business reporting skills.
- Desirable
- Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience.
- Formal sales leadership qualification or accreditation.
- Experience
- Essential
- Proven experience leading multi-functional B2B sales teams across customer acquisition, account development and sales growth activities.
- Experience operating at a senior sales leadership level with accountability for commercial performance and revenue growth.
- Experience developing and implementing sales strategies that deliver sustainable business growth.
- Experience managing sales forecasting, pipeline management, target setting and performance reporting.
- Experience leading and developing high-performing sales teams through coaching, performance management and succession planning.
- Experience working collaboratively with operational and support functions to improve organisational performance and customer outcomes.
- Experience supporting complex commercial negotiations, proposals, tenders and strategic customer opportunities.
- Experience using CRM systems to drive performance, forecasting and commercial decision making.
- Experience operating within a fast-paced and changing commercial environment.
- Desirable
- Operating as part of a Senior Management Team.
- Reporting to Executive or Board-level stakeholders.
- Experience within Health & Safety, Wellbeing, Sustainability or related sectors.
- Experience working within a purpose-led or membership-based organisation.
- Behaviour Competence
- Team Work
- Communication
- Creativity & Change
- Enhancing Performance
- Leadership
- Personal Effectiveness
Head of UK Sales employer: British Safety Council
At the British Safety Council, we pride ourselves on being a supportive and inclusive employer that values the contributions of every team member. Our home-based Engagement Coordinator role offers flexible working arrangements, allowing you to balance your professional and personal life while contributing to meaningful projects that enhance workplace safety globally. With a strong focus on employee development and a collaborative work culture, we provide opportunities for growth and innovation, making this an ideal environment for those looking to make a positive impact in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of UK Sales
✨Leverage Your Network
In sales and business development, who you know can often be as important as what you know. Get involved with local networking events or industry meetups to connect with key players. Don't be shy—share your passion for the field and let folks know you're on the lookout for opportunities!
✨Show Your Skills Through Real-World Results
When targeting a full-time role like Head of UK Sales at British Safety Council, presenting tangible results from your previous sales experience can set you apart. Bring along case studies or examples of how you've closed deals or expanded accounts, and don't forget to showcase your problem-solving prowess. It’s all about quantifying your success!
✨Engage with Sales Communities
Dive deep into online sales communities, like Sales Hacker or LinkedIn groups dedicated to sales professionals. Engaging in discussions and sharing insights can boost your visibility and might just put you on the radar of hiring managers looking for fresh talent in business development.
✨Direct Applications Matter
While we all know the online application route, consider sending direct applications to companies you admire, including British Safety Council. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a Head of UK Sales. Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of UK Sales
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Those Sales Skills:In your CV and cover letter, highlight any previous sales or business development experience you have. Use numbers and examples to showcase your achievements – did you exceed sales targets or bring in new clients? Make those accomplishments shine!
Tailor Your Message for British Safety Council:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for British Safety Council. Show that you know the company’s mission and how your skills align with their goals in the sales landscape. This personalised touch will grab their attention!
Keep It Professional Yet Engaging:Sales is all about relationships, so while you want to maintain professionalism in your application, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Engage the reader and demonstrate your enthusiastic approach to sales and business development!
Proof of Performance:Include any relevant certifications or training you’ve undertaken in sales or negotiation tactics. If you’ve attended workshops or courses, list these to showcase your commitment to professional development. This extra touch can set you apart from the competition!
How to prepare for a job interview at British Safety Council
✨Know Your Sales Methodologies
Brush up on popular sales methodologies like SPIN Selling or Challenger Sales. Being able to discuss these techniques and how you've applied them will show British Safety Council that you understand the role and can hit the ground running in the sales game.
✨Demonstrate Your Deal-Making Skills
Prepare to share stories from your past experiences where you closed deals, overcame objections, or started new client relationships. We want to show British Safety Council that you’re not just about numbers but also about building lasting connections in business development.
✨Prepare for Role-Play Scenarios
In a full-time sales interview, don’t be surprised if they throw in a role-play exercise to test your pitching skills. Practising how you would pitch a product or handle an objection will help us shine in this simulation—think of it like a dress rehearsal for your future sales calls!
✨Align Your Goals with the Company’s Vision
Take a moment to reflect on how your career ambitions align with British Safety Council’s objectives. When we articulate how our personal growth ties in with the company’s goals, it shows commitment and a genuine interest in contributing to their success.
