Sales Director

Sales Director

Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Credit Benchmark

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive sales growth across EMEA, focusing on structured credit and asset management.
  • Company: Join Credit Benchmark, a leader in financial data analytics with a collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous commission, private health insurance, and professional development opportunities.
  • Other info: Hybrid working model with a supportive environment that values diversity and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of credit risk intelligence.
  • Qualifications: 5-7 years in SaaS sales within financial markets; strong networking and relationship-building skills.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

Who we are

Credit Benchmark is a financial data analytics company that has partnered with the world’s leading financial institutions to create the largest and most sophisticated contributed credit risk data platform in the market.

We help clients identify, quantify, and monitor credit risk across a wide array of exposures by leveraging CB’s unique and sophisticated data and analytics. The comprehensive nature of CB’s consensus ratings coverage on over 115,000 sovereigns, FIs, NBFIs, corporates and funds uniquely place CB as the leading provider of credit risk intelligence.

We have experienced significant growth over the last 12 months across our different client segments and are looking to scale up the commercial team for the next phase of growth.

The role

We are looking for a Sales Director to join our London office to help drive our expansion efforts across EMEA with a strong focus on structured credit, insurance and asset managers. You will be responsible for quantifying and growing your territory by identifying, qualifying, developing, and closing sales opportunities.

You will have access to a proven and effective playbook, and extensive evidence of success across our existing portfolio of clients. In addition, you will have a strong support team comprised of highly experienced credit risk experts, quants, product specialists and technical sales engineers, to aid the sales process.

In addition to the focus on established segments, you will be able to help build other emerging segments including CLOs, direct lending, etc. You will also be required to provide specialist subject matter input into defining and expanding our network of partnerships. Crucial to this role is the ability to leverage existing long-standing relationships as entry points into viable prospective clients. Having worked in an entrepreneurial environment and/or a proven track record in selling a completely new product/data set would be highly advantageous.

We are looking for someone who will help us build a business that we believe will be the cornerstone of our commercial success, not just a salesperson looking to bring in individual deals.

The role is based in our London office with a hybrid working pattern involving a minimum of three days in the office and moderate travel. There is also the possibility for the role to be based in our New York office (for candidates with relevant US work eligibility).

Your responsibilities will include

  • Sales Execution: Lead sales cycles from initial outreach through to contract, targeting senior stakeholders across multiple regions and verticals across your segment.
  • Target Development: With a strong entrepreneurial mindset, build and manage a focused list of high-value accounts aligned to our ICPs across the buy-side.
  • Cross-Regional Coordination: Work closely with US Sales Directors to align go-to-market efforts and ensure consistency and close collaboration.
  • Segment Expertise: Develop deep insight into your vertical(s) and become a market-visible advocate within your client segments.
  • Cross Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with Product, Legal, Marketing, and Customer Success to deliver tailored, high-impact value propositions.
  • Pipeline Management: Own a well-qualified, data-driven pipeline with disciplined CRM use, clear forecasting, and strong CRM hygiene.

What we are looking for

  • 5 to 7 years’ experience selling SaaS solution(s) into financial markets; buy-side (e.g. Insurance, Pension Funds, Asset Managers, specialist investors, CLO, SRT, Structured Credit, Private Debt, Secondaries, etc.) related to credit risk solutions.
  • Solid understanding of financial markets; knowledge of credit risk analytics, fixed income solutions or capital market services.
  • Leverage existing relationships to gain entry to prospective clients.
  • Experience working in an entrepreneurial environment and/or a proven track record in selling a completely new product/data set would be highly advantageous.
  • Ability to generate leads and develop relationships, where none exist and follow-up effectively.
  • Ability to drive product development that allows effective integration into client workflow.
  • Experience in leveraging tools for prospecting, CRM (e.g. Salesforce) and ability to help drive best practices.
  • Excellent networking and presentations skills (both written and spoken).
  • Proactive, with an ability to work under pressure and deliver to deadlines.
  • Strong team player.
  • Fluency in other foreign languages a bonus.
  • Eligible to work in the UK (or US - dependent on location).

Salary

  • Competitive base salary based on skills and experience.

Benefits

  • Generous commission scheme.
  • Holidays: Competitive holiday package.
  • Health and Wellbeing: Private health Insurance cover including mental health cover.
  • Pension: Opportunity to join company pension plan.
  • Travel: Cycle to work scheme.
  • Healthy work/life balance.
  • Family Friendly: Supportive environment and generous paid leave for new parents.
  • Learning and Development: Professional development opportunities through seminars, conferences, training and courses and internal mentorship.
  • Community: Supportive, collaborative and social team environment.

Our commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion

At Credit Benchmark, we are deeply committed to diversity, equality and inclusion. This means celebrating who we are as individuals and as a team because our company and culture reflect the sum of our employees.

We strive to create a mindful and respectful environment that includes fairness, kindness, and understanding. We empower each other to bring our authentic selves to work and champion our colleagues’ development and achievements. Our diversity brings a multitude of perspectives and ideas and is imperative to the success of our business.

We are dedicated to ensuring that principles of diversity, equality and inclusion are rooted in Credit Benchmark’s DNA. We continue to build on these principles as our company grows while retaining the progress we have made as a team.

Credit Benchmark is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We believe no one should be at a professional disadvantage because of their background. We do not discriminate based upon any legally protected characteristics and are committed to fostering a working culture that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Credit Benchmark is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures and employment. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please let us know by contacting our HR team at careers@creditbenchmark.com.

Sales Director employer: Credit Benchmark

Credit Benchmark is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a strong focus on employee growth through professional development opportunities and a supportive culture that values diversity and inclusion, we empower our team to thrive both personally and professionally. Our competitive benefits package, including generous commission schemes and private health insurance, ensures that our employees feel valued and motivated as they contribute to our mission of delivering cutting-edge credit risk intelligence.

Credit Benchmark

Contact Details:

Credit Benchmark Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Sales Director

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your existing contacts in the financial sector and let them know you're on the lookout for new opportunities. A personal recommendation can go a long way in landing that Sales Director role.

Tip Number 2

Do your homework! Research Credit Benchmark thoroughly. Understand their products, clients, and market position. This knowledge will help you tailor your pitch and show how you can contribute to their growth.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for the interview by practising your sales pitch. Be ready to discuss your past successes in selling SaaS solutions and how you can leverage your relationships to drive sales at Credit Benchmark.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Credit Benchmark.

We think you need these skills to ace Sales Director

Sales Execution
Target Development
Cross-Regional Coordination
Segment Expertise
Cross Functional Collaboration
Pipeline Management
SaaS Sales Experience

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Sales Director role. Highlight your experience in selling SaaS solutions and any relevant achievements in financial markets. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about credit risk analytics and how you can contribute to our growth. Keep it engaging and personal – we love a good story!

Showcase Your Relationships:Since leveraging existing relationships is key for this role, make sure to mention any relevant connections you have in the industry. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so let us know how you can open doors!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

How to prepare for a job interview at Credit Benchmark

Know Your Numbers

As a Sales Director, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of financial metrics and credit risk analytics. Brush up on key performance indicators relevant to the role and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive sales in the past.

Leverage Your Network

Since existing relationships are crucial for this position, come prepared with examples of how you've successfully leveraged your network to gain entry into new clients. Highlight specific instances where your connections led to significant sales opportunities.

Showcase Your Entrepreneurial Spirit

This role requires an entrepreneurial mindset, so be ready to share experiences where you've taken initiative or developed new strategies. Discuss how you've navigated challenges in previous roles and what innovative approaches you've implemented to achieve success.

Collaborate and Communicate

Cross-functional collaboration is key in this role. Prepare to discuss how you've worked with different teams, such as marketing or product development, to create tailored solutions for clients. Emphasise your communication skills and ability to work effectively in a team environment.