Head of Sales

Head of Sales

Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Helical

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead sales efforts and build a high-performing commercial team from the ground up.
  • Company: Helical, an innovative AI-native lab transforming biology experimentation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, equity, and the chance to shape a category-defining company.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in drug discovery with cutting-edge AI technology.
  • Qualifications: Proven track record in closing complex deals and building sales functions.
  • Other info: Opportunity for career growth to CRO and direct collaboration with founders.

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

Own the Playbook. Win the Logos. Build the GTM. Helical is building the AI-native lab for biology; replacing slow, costly wet lab experimentation with scalable, virtual discovery. Our platform is already deployed with leading global pharma, enabling teams to run millions of experiments in days, not years. We have product-market traction. Now we’re scaling and looking for someone to build and lead that journey.

We’re hiring a Head of Sales to own new business and build Helical’s commercial function from the ground up. This is a player-coach role. You’ll be responsible for closing high-value deals yourself, while also shaping how we go to market; defining the playbook, building pipeline, and laying the foundations for a high-performing commercial team. This is not a "manage and inherit" role. This is build, sell, and scale.

Requirements
  • Win New Business
  • Land new logos across top pharma and large biotech
  • Own the full sales cycle from prospecting to close
  • Navigate complex, multi-stakeholder deals with scientific buyers
  • Turn initial deals into long-term, multi-program partnerships
  • Build the GTM Engine
    • Define and execute the go-to-market strategy
    • Build repeatable pipeline, qualification, and forecasting processes
    • Implement AI-first sales workflows across prospecting and pipeline management
    • Hire, mentor, and scale the early commercial team
  • Drive Strategic Growth
    • Develop partnerships across pharma, tech, and research ecosystems
    • Expand Helical’s footprint through high-value relationships and collaborations
  • Be the Market Face
    • Represent Helical with credibility at key industry events and conferences
    • Build relationships with decision-makers in discovery, computational biology, and AI
    Who You Are
    • Proven track record of closing complex enterprise deals and winning new logos
    • Experience building GTM and sales functions from scratch (early-stage environments)
    • Strong ability to sell into technical and scientific stakeholders
    • Comfortable operating in ambiguity and owning outcomes end-to-end
    • AI-first mindset—you leverage AI across your workflows to drive better results
    • Deep interest in how AI is transforming drug discovery
    Benefits
    • Proven product already in use with top pharma
    • Opportunity to shape a category-defining company at an inflection point
    • High ownership, direct impact, and close collaboration with founders
    • Clear trajectory to CRO / full commercial leadership
    • Competitive Salary, Equity and Benefits

    Head of Sales employer: Helical

    Helical is an exceptional employer for those looking to make a significant impact in the rapidly evolving field of AI-driven biology. With a strong focus on innovation and collaboration, employees enjoy a dynamic work culture that fosters growth and creativity, alongside competitive salaries and equity options. As the Head of Sales, you will have the unique opportunity to shape the future of the company while working closely with industry leaders and driving strategic partnerships in a high-stakes environment.
    Helical

    Contact Detail:

    Helical Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Head of Sales

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks at conferences and events. Building relationships with decision-makers in pharma and biotech can open doors that a CV just can't.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Show off your sales skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, be ready to discuss your past successes in closing complex deals. Share specific examples that highlight your ability to navigate multi-stakeholder environments.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Be proactive! Don’t wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like Helical, and express your interest in building their commercial function. A personal touch can make all the difference.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Leverage AI in your approach! Since Helical is all about AI-driven solutions, show how you’ve used AI in your previous roles to enhance sales processes. This will resonate well with their mission and demonstrate your fit for the role.

    We think you need these skills to ace Head of Sales

    Sales Strategy Development
    New Business Acquisition
    Full Sales Cycle Management
    Complex Deal Navigation
    Partnership Development
    Go-to-Market Strategy Execution
    Pipeline Management
    Forecasting Processes
    Team Building and Mentoring
    Relationship Management
    Industry Representation
    AI Integration in Sales Workflows
    Understanding of Computational Biology
    Ability to Operate in Ambiguity

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Own Your Narrative: When you’re writing your application, make sure to own your story. Highlight your achievements and experiences that align with the Head of Sales role. We want to see how you've built and scaled sales functions before, so don’t hold back!

    Showcase Your Sales Savvy: This role is all about closing deals and building relationships. Use your application to demonstrate your track record in winning new business and navigating complex sales cycles. We love numbers, so if you’ve got metrics to back up your success, flaunt them!

    Be Authentic: We’re looking for someone who can represent Helical with credibility. Let your personality shine through in your application. Share your passion for AI and how it’s transforming drug discovery. We want to know what drives you!

    Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Helical.

    How to prepare for a job interview at Helical

    ✨Know the Playbook Inside Out

    Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand Helical's platform and how it revolutionises the lab experimentation process. Familiarise yourself with their current clients and the impact of their AI-native solutions. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you articulate how you can contribute to building the sales playbook.

    ✨Demonstrate Your Sales Savvy

    Prepare to discuss your past experiences in closing complex deals, especially within the pharma and biotech sectors. Have specific examples ready that showcase your ability to navigate multi-stakeholder environments and turn initial deals into long-term partnerships. This is your chance to shine as a player-coach!

    ✨Showcase Your GTM Strategy Skills

    Think about how you would approach building a go-to-market strategy for Helical. Be ready to share your ideas on creating a repeatable pipeline and implementing AI-first sales workflows. This will demonstrate your strategic thinking and readiness to take ownership of the commercial function from the ground up.

    ✨Be the Market Face

    Research key industry events and conferences where Helical might be represented. Prepare to discuss how you would build relationships with decision-makers in discovery and computational biology. Showing that you can represent Helical with credibility will highlight your understanding of the market and your networking capabilities.

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