UK Market Lead in London

We are Menlo79, a Berlin-based startup founded in 2019. Our software, WILSON, is a comprehensive workforce management solution that helps railway companies plan shifts, respond to short-term staffing changes, comply with regulatory requirements, and take employee preferences into account. Our platform provides real‑time insights and optimization capabilities to improve workforce efficiency. Founded by railway industry experts with backgrounds at Deutsche Bahn, we combine deep operational knowledge with modern technology. Today, WILSON is trusted by leading railway operators across the DACH region and has become one of the leading workforce management solutions for the rail industry in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Our mission is to modernize the railway industry and drive innovation.

As we continue our expansion into the UK market, we are looking for an entrepreneurial and commercially driven UK Market Lead to lead our growth efforts. In this role, you will be responsible for building and developing our presence in the UK rail industry, turning market opportunities into long‑term customer relationships and strategic partnerships.

As UK Market Lead, you will build WILSON’s commercial presence in the UK rail market. You will work with train operating companies, rail construction businesses, labour providers and other rail service companies that want to improve how they manage workforce, qualifications, planning, time tracking and payroll‑related processes. This is a hands‑on commercial role with significant ownership.

What you will do:

• Convert existing warm leads from events, marketing activities and industry contacts into demos, pilots and signed customers.
• Build and own a focused outbound pipeline across relevant UK rail segments.
• Run discovery calls, product demos and commercial discussions with operational and senior stakeholders.
• Build a clear understanding of customer needs, buying processes and barriers to adoption in the UK market.
• Work closely with colleagues from Germany on customer demos, solution design and complex commercial discussions.
• Represent WILSON at trade fairs, conferences and industry events across the UK, supported by our German team where useful.
• Prepare and follow up trade shows together with our marketing and sales teams.
• Develop relationships through regular on‑site meetings and face‑to‑face conversations.
• Identify and develop partnerships with complementary software providers and relevant industry partners.
• Continuously assess product‑market fit and provide structured feedback to our product and management teams in Germany.
• Build the foundation for a local UK team and, as the business grows, support the hiring and onboarding of additional colleagues.

At the beginning, you will be our first local team member in the UK and work closely with our experienced team in Germany. Especially during the first phase, experienced colleagues will join customer demos, support trade shows, help prepare proposals and contribute product and industry expertise. The goal is not to build a remote outpost, but a strong UK presence that is fully integrated into the wider WILSON team.

Your Profile:

Essential:

• Experience in B2B sales or business development, ideally with software, digital solutions or complex B2B products.
• Confidence in managing the full sales cycle, from first contact to signed agreement.
• Strong communication skills in English and credibility in face‑to‑face customer meetings.
• Willingness to spend time on‑site with customers and at industry events across the UK.
• Ability to understand operational workflows and translate them into clear customer value.
• A structured, self‑driven working style and the ability to operate independently without an established local team.
• The ambition and potential to take on broader commercial and leadership responsibility as the UK business grows.

Valuable, but not essential:

• Experience in rail, transport, infrastructure, construction or another operationally complex industry.
• Experience selling into regulated or safety‑critical environments.
• SaaS sales experience.
• Existing contacts in the UK rail ecosystem.
• Experience building partnerships with software vendors, consultants or industry organisations.
• Initial experience mentoring colleagues, building teams or taking informal leadership responsibility.
• Familiarity with workforce management, qualifications, planning, time tracking or payroll‑related processes.

Our Offer:

• Competitive compensation package with a fixed salary and a performance‑based bonus (60/40 split), offering significant upside for strong commercial impact.
• Clear initial focus: build a strong pipeline, win first customers and establish WILSON in the UK rail market.
• Opportunity to grow into a Country Manager UK role as the market develops, with responsibility for local commercial setup, team building and long‑term market expansion.
• Join an experienced and ambitious team with deep expertise in rail, mobility, transport and logistics, supported by a strong industry network.
• Work in a fast‑moving, flat‑structured organization with short decision‑making paths and close collaboration with the CEO and CRO.
• High level of influence on strategy, go‑to‑market approach, product direction and overall UK market development.
• Be part of a scale‑up phase (~50 employees) where you can actively shape structures, processes, and growth.
• Strong flexibility in working hours and working style – focus on outcomes, not a 9‑to‑5 structure.