At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a high-performing sales team to drive revenue growth.
- Company: Dynamic startup connecting students, universities, and advertisers.
- Benefits: Pension contributions, 25 days off, share options, and work-from-home budget.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while shaping the future of student engagement.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading sales teams, preferably in media or advertising.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 Β£ per year.
Location: London, UK (Hybrid, 2-3 days in the office per week)
native has been building for 10 years, but we are still very much a startup: fast-moving, ambitious, and building with intent. We are creating the infrastructure that connects students, Students' Unions, universities, and advertisers through a managed marketplace. Our goal is to deliver for students by increasing engagement, while enabling Students' Unions to secure sustainable funding. For advertisers, we offer meaningful, measurable routes to student audiences. The more aligned these incentives are, the more defensible and scalable our business becomes.
The Opportunity
The Head of Sales is accountable for the overall performance, structure, and effectiveness of native's sales function. You will lead our Growth Sales Managers and Brand Labs Sales Director, ensuring the category-led sales model drives clear ownership, genuine expertise, and predictable revenue growth. Your role is to translate commercial strategy into execution by setting direction, building capability, and holding teams accountable for outcomes. This is not a player-coach role. You may support key deals where appropriate, but your impact comes from how the system performs, not what you personally close.
What You Will Be Working On
- Sales Strategy and Revenue Ownership
- Own overall sales performance across Growth and Enterprise segments
- Translate commercial goals into clear sales strategy, targets, and execution plans
- Ensure the category-led model delivers focus, expertise, and improved win rates
- Partner with Commercial Leadership to define revenue mix, priorities, and growth levers
- Own and evolve native's category-based sales structure
- Ensure clear category ownership across Growth and Enterprise teams
- Prevent silos by enabling insight-sharing and collaboration across categories
- Team Leadership and Development
- Directly manage and develop a team of Growth and Enterprise Sales Execs including SDR's
- Set clear expectations across targets, behaviours, and ways of working
- Run regular, high-quality one-to-ones and performance reviews
- Coach individuals to improve sales quality, productivity, and confidence
- Address underperformance early with clear feedback and support
- Support progression and capability-building across the team
- Performance Management and Forecasting
- Own pipeline health, forecasting accuracy, and CRM discipline
- Use data to identify risks and unblock performance issues
- Hold leaders accountable for numbers, not narratives
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Work closely with Growth Account Management, Campaign Management, Marketing, and Product and Sales Operations
- Improve handovers, lifecycle ownership, and customer experience across the funnel
- Act as the voice of Sales in commercial planning and operational decision-making
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience leading a high-performing sales organisation
- Experience in media, advertising, or B2B services is essential
- Track record of scaling revenue through structure, process, and people
- Experience operating within category-led or verticalised sales models
- Strong commercial judgement and leadership presence
- Comfortable operating in fast-scaling environments
What's in it for you
- Pension contributions of 5%
- 25 days off (excluding bank holidays)
- Day off on your birthday
- Share Options for all
- Work from home set-up budget
- Season Ticket Loan Scheme
- Paid maternity, paternity, adoption or shared parental leave
Head of Sales in London employer: Native
Contact Detail:
Native Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Head of Sales in London
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant online groups, and donβt be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
β¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their products and services, especially how they engage with students and advertisers. This will help you tailor your responses and show that youβre genuinely interested in what they do.
β¨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Head of Sales. Highlight your leadership skills and how you've driven revenue growth in past roles. Confidence is key, so rehearse until it feels natural.
β¨Tip Number 4
Donβt forget to apply through our website! Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. Letβs get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Sales in London
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Head of Sales role. Highlight your experience in leading sales teams and driving revenue growth, especially in media or advertising. We want to see how your skills align with our fast-paced, ambitious environment.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our mission. Be sure to mention your experience with category-led sales models and how you've successfully scaled revenue in the past.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: In your application, give us a glimpse of your leadership style. Weβre looking for someone who can develop and inspire a team, so share examples of how you've coached individuals and managed performance effectively 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 applications and ensures you get all the updates. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Native
β¨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the company's mission, values, and recent developments. Understanding how native connects students, Students' Unions, and advertisers will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals.
β¨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As the Head of Sales, you'll be leading a team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership approach, how you develop talent, and your strategies for driving performance. Use specific examples from your past roles to illustrate your points.
β¨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and commercial judgement. Think about challenges you've faced in previous sales roles and how you overcame them, especially in fast-paced environments similar to native's.
β¨Demonstrate Data-Driven Decision Making
Since the role involves pipeline health and forecasting, be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive sales strategies. Highlight any tools or methodologies you've employed to improve sales performance and accountability.