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 compensation, uncapped earnings, and world-class training opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunity for international exposure and clear pathways to senior leadership.
- Why this job: Shape a major revenue function and make a significant impact in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in large-scale sales organisations and experience in event sponsorship.
Location: Central Bristol (Queens Square, Bristol)
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.
- 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 West Bromwich employer: GDS Group
GDS Group is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant heart of Central Bristol, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and high performance. With a market-leading compensation package and uncapped earning potential, employees benefit from world-class training and clear pathways for career progression within a global organisation. The company prioritises talent development and provides opportunities to engage with senior stakeholders, making it an ideal place for ambitious professionals looking to make a significant impact in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VP Sales EMEA in West Bromwich
✨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 leadership skills in interviews. Be ready to share examples of how you've built and scaled sales teams in the past. We want to see your strategic mindset and how you can drive revenue growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Research GDS Group thoroughly. Understand our mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your conversations and demonstrate your genuine interest in being part of our team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining us at GDS Group and contributing to our exciting growth phase.
We think you need these skills to ace VP Sales EMEA in West Bromwich
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 inspire and lead a high-performance team. Keep it engaging and relevant to what we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on quantifiable achievements. Did you exceed revenue targets? Lead a successful project? We love numbers, so include metrics that demonstrate your impact and success in previous positions. This will help us see your potential at GDS Group.
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 that align with the £10M+ revenue expectations. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you implemented to achieve these goals.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This role requires leading a large sales organisation, so be prepared to share examples of how you've built and scaled teams in the past. Highlight your experience in developing talent and creating a high-performance culture, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Understand the Market
Familiarise yourself with GDS Group's offerings and the event sponsorship landscape. Be ready to discuss potential new revenue streams and how you would position their products in the market. This shows that you're not just a fit for the role but also genuinely interested in the company's growth.
✨Engage at the C-Suite Level
Since you'll be engaging with senior stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully navigated conversations with C-suite executives in the past, as this will be crucial for building relationships and driving commercial strategy.
