At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and scale a high-performance sales team to drive multi-million-pound revenue.
- Company: GDS Group, a global B2B growth partner with a dynamic culture.
- Benefits: Market-leading salary, uncapped earnings, and world-class training opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunity for international exposure and clear pathways to senior leadership.
- Why this job: Shape the future of sales in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in large-scale sales organisations and significant revenue delivery.
The predicted salary is between 150000 - 200000 £ per year.
Location: Central Bristol (Queens Square, Bristol)
Basic salary: £150,000 - £200,000 + Commission (OTE £400,000+)
About Us
GDS Group is a global B2B growth partner, delivering world-class insight, content, pipeline development and immersive event experiences across both virtual platforms and in-person environments. With over three decades of expertise, we partner with the world’s leading enterprise brands to connect them with senior decision-makers through high-impact, insight-led experiences. Our mission is to drive meaningful business outcomes by bringing together targeted audiences and transformative solutions in dynamic, results-driven environments. Operating internationally with offices in the UK, US and Europe, we are entering a significant phase of scale and are seeking a senior commercial leader to play a pivotal role in that growth.
The Opportunity
This is a strategic, executive-level leadership role for a high-calibre VP/SVP of Sales to lead and scale our UK-based sponsorship sales division. You will take full ownership of a multi-million-pound revenue function, leading a large, high-performance sales organisation (up to 40 heads) responsible for delivering sponsorship revenue across our global portfolio of digital and in-person events. This role goes beyond team management. You will be responsible for defining sales vision, driving commercial strategy and building a best-in-class sales engine capable of sustained growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership & Revenue Ownership
- Own and deliver annual revenue targets more than £10M, with full accountability for forecasting accuracy and commercial performance
- Define and execute a scalable sales strategy aligned with global growth objectives
- Partner with executive leadership to shape go-to-market strategy, pricing models and product positioning
- Identify new revenue streams, verticals and enterprise opportunities to expand market share
- Sales Organisation Leadership (Up to 40 Heads)
- Lead, inspire and scale a high-performing sponsorship sales organisation of 30–40+ individuals, including Sales Directors and Senior BDMs
- Build a robust leadership layer, developing Sales Directors to drive performance at scale
- Embed a high-performance, metrics-driven culture focused on accountability, activity and results
- Drive continuous optimisation of team structure, territories and sales processes
- Event Sponsorship Sales Excellence
- Oversee the full lifecycle of event sponsorship sales across a global portfolio, including in-person summits and flagship digital roundtables
- Ensure consistent delivery of high-value, multi-touch sponsorship packages to enterprise clients
- Elevate the quality of commercial conversations, ensuring teams engage confidently at C-suite and senior stakeholder level
- Maintain a deep understanding of client needs to align sponsorship offerings with measurable ROI
- Talent Development & Performance Management
- Attract, hire and retain top-tier sales talent and leadership
- Implement structured coaching, training and leadership development programmes
- Conduct regular performance reviews, pipeline inspections and strategic deal coaching
- Create clear progression pathways to support internal mobility and succession planning
- Operational Excellence
- Drive best-in-class use of CRM systems (Salesforce preferred) to ensure pipeline visibility, forecasting accuracy and data-driven decision-making
- Establish and refine KPIs, sales cadences and reporting frameworks
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Marketing, Production and Client Success teams to ensure seamless delivery
- Executive Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as a senior escalation point for key clients and strategic partnerships
- Build and maintain relationships with enterprise-level stakeholders and sponsors
- Represent the business externally as a senior commercial leader and brand ambassador
About You
- Proven track record of leading large-scale sales organisations (20–40+ people) in high-growth, fast-paced environments
- Demonstrated success owning and delivering significant revenue targets (£10m+ preferred)
- Deep experience in event sponsorship and solution-based sales
- Exceptional leadership capability, with a strong track record of building, scaling and transforming teams
- Highly commercial mindset with the ability to operate strategically and tactically
- Credibility and confidence engaging with C-suite stakeholders and enterprise clients
- Strong background as an individual contributor prior to leadership
- Experience with Salesforce or equivalent CRM platforms
What We Offer
- Market-leading compensation package with uncapped earning potential (OTE £400K+)
- A true executive-level platform to shape and scale a major revenue function
- Clear pathway to senior leadership progression within a global organisation
- Access to world-class training, leadership development, and coaching programmes
- Opportunity to work across international markets and global clients
- A high-performance, ambitious culture with no ceiling on growth or impact
VP Sales EMEA in Bristol employer: GDS Group
GDS Group is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant heart of Bristol, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. With uncapped earning potential and clear pathways for career progression, employees are empowered to engage with leading technology brands and C-suite executives, making a real impact in the industry. The company prioritises employee well-being through wellness classes and provides a supportive environment that encourages personal and professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VP Sales EMEA in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry leaders, attend events, and engage on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that VP Sales role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare to discuss your past successes in leading sales teams and hitting revenue targets. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your strategic thinking and leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your pitch. Focus on articulating your vision for the sales function and how you plan to drive growth at GDS Group.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace VP Sales EMEA in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the VP Sales EMEA role. Highlight your experience in leading large sales teams and achieving significant revenue targets. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission and the specific responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share your vision for driving sales growth and how you plan to lead our team to success. Keep it engaging and relevant to the position.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on quantifiable achievements. Did you exceed sales targets? Lead a successful project? We love numbers, so include metrics that demonstrate your impact and leadership skills in previous positions.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re proactive and keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at GDS Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a VP of Sales, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to own and deliver significant revenue targets. Brush up on your past achievements, especially those related to hitting or exceeding £10M in revenue. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you implemented to achieve these results.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This role requires exceptional leadership capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've built and scaled high-performing sales teams. Highlight your experience in developing talent and creating a metrics-driven culture that focuses on accountability and results.
✨Understand the Market
Familiarise yourself with GDS Group's offerings and the event sponsorship landscape. Be prepared to discuss how you would define a scalable sales strategy aligned with global growth objectives. Show that you can identify new revenue streams and enterprise opportunities.
✨Engage with C-Suite Confidence
You'll be engaging with senior stakeholders, so practice articulating your value proposition clearly and confidently. Prepare to discuss how you've elevated commercial conversations in the past and how you plan to maintain strong relationships with enterprise-level clients.
