At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and deliver sales strategy across UK and Emerging Markets, driving growth and partnerships.
- Company: Dynamic company in the Travel, Cruise, and Leisure sectors with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, staff rates on ships, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in a senior leadership role while shaping the future of the business.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in senior sales, strong commercial acumen, and proven team leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 € per year.
We are seeking an experienced Sales Director to lead and deliver our commercial strategy across the UK and Emerging Markets within EMEA. This is a senior leadership role with full ownership of regional sales performance across B2B and B2C, responsibility for key strategic partnerships, and a mandate to grow market share through both existing and new routes to market. You will act as a senior commercial leader and external ambassador for the business, working closely with executive stakeholders while leading and developing a high-performing regional sales team.
Key Responsibilities
- Own, develop, and deliver the sales strategy across the UK and Emerging Markets (B2B & B2C)
- Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing regional sales team, fostering a collaborative and results-driven culture
- Build and maintain senior-level relationships with strategic partners, agencies, and distribution networks across the region
- Drive effective budget management, forecasting, and ROI optimisation with key partners
- Identify and develop new market opportunities, partnerships, and routes to market to expand regional footprint
- Work closely with Marketing, Revenue Management, and Product teams to ensure aligned go-to-market execution
- Represent the company at industry events, trade shows, and partner forums across the UK and EMEA
- Act as a subject-matter expert internally, anticipating market, commercial, and regulatory challenges and recommending improvements to processes, products, or services
Leadership & Impact
- Operate with significant autonomy, setting goals and determining approaches to critical commercial initiatives
- Lead cross-functional and department-level projects
- Influence senior internal and external stakeholders on matters of strategic importance
- Make decisions with a direct and material impact on company performance, revenue, and long-term growth
Skills & Competencies
- Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to operate credibly at executive level
- Proven senior sales leadership experience within Travel, Cruise, Hospitality, or Leisure
- Strong commercial acumen, including contract negotiation, pricing strategy, and margin management
- Data-driven mindset, confident using insights and analytics to guide strategy and decision-making
- Inspirational people leader with a track record of building, coaching, and retaining high-performing teams
- Strategic thinker able to translate vision into clear, executable sales plans
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, both internally and externally
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, changing environment with a hands-on leadership approach
Experience & Qualifications
- Degree-educated or equivalent relevant experience
- 10+ years' experience in a senior sales or commercial environment
- Demonstrable experience leading and scaling sales teams
- Experience working across international businesses and markets
- Existing B2B relationships and sector connections highly advantageous
- Experience within Cruise, Travel, or Leisure sectors desirable
- Strong experience using Power BI or similar tools to review and drive performance
- Knowledge of Salesforce CRM desirable but not essential
Personal Attributes
- Results-driven with a balanced mid- to long-term strategic outlook
- Strong sense of ownership and accountability
- Able to shape departmental strategy and align operational goals accordingly
- Encourages collaboration across teams and with external stakeholders
- Motivates others through clear goal-setting and continuous feedback
What we offer
- A dynamic and inclusive work environment where your ideas are valued
- Opportunities for professional and personal development
- Staff rates on our ships for you and your family
- Hybrid working arrangements, minimum 2 days in the office to support work-life balance
- A competitive benefits package
Sales Director, UK & Emerging Markets employer: Hurtigruten
Join a dynamic and inclusive work environment as a Sales Director, where your leadership will drive our commercial strategy across the UK and Emerging Markets. We offer exceptional opportunities for professional growth, a competitive benefits package, and the chance to work with a high-performing team that values collaboration and innovation. With hybrid working arrangements and staff rates on our ships for you and your family, this role not only promises a rewarding career but also a fulfilling work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales Director, UK & Emerging Markets
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, trade shows, and forums where you can meet potential employers and partners. Remember, it’s all about building relationships that could lead to your next big opportunity.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with decision-makers, don’t hold back! Share your insights on market trends and how you can drive sales growth. Position yourself as a thought leader, and they’ll see you as an invaluable asset.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn to showcase your achievements and connect with industry leaders. Share relevant content and engage in discussions to increase your visibility. It’s a great way to get noticed by recruiters and hiring managers!
✨Apply Directly Through Us
Don’t forget to check out our website for open positions! Applying directly through us not only shows your interest but also gives you a better chance of standing out. We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Sales Director, UK & Emerging Markets
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Sales Director role. Highlight your experience in leading sales teams and driving commercial strategies, especially in B2B and B2C environments. 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 showcase your leadership style and how you’ve successfully built relationships with strategic partners. Let us know why you’re passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our growth.
Showcase Your Achievements:Quantify your successes! Whether it’s revenue growth, market expansion, or team development, we love numbers that tell a story. Make sure to include specific examples that demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hurtigruten
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, dive deep into the UK and Emerging Markets landscape. Understand the key players, market trends, and potential challenges. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you articulate how you can drive sales strategy effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be ready to discuss your approach to leading and developing high-performing teams. Share specific examples of how you've motivated teams in the past, especially in fast-paced environments. Highlight your ability to foster collaboration and achieve results through others.
✨Prepare for Strategic Conversations
Expect to engage in discussions about strategic partnerships and market opportunities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully built relationships with senior stakeholders and how you've identified new routes to market. This will demonstrate your commercial acumen and strategic thinking.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Since the role requires a data-driven mindset, be prepared to discuss how you've used analytics to guide your sales strategies. Familiarise yourself with tools like Power BI and be ready to explain how you've leveraged insights to optimise performance and drive revenue growth.