At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead high-value sales deals from sourcing to contract signing in the insurtech space.
- Company: Join a fast-growing, VC-backed insurtech redefining commercial insurance with AI.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, uncapped commission, equity options, and flexible working arrangements.
- Other info: Dynamic startup culture with opportunities for leadership and career growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a pioneering team transforming how insurers assess risk and drive innovation.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in enterprise B2B sales with a proven track record in closing significant deals.
Join the team redefining commercial insurance with AI. Nettle is a fast-growing, VC-backed insurtech building one of the most compelling real-world applications of AI: transforming how commercial insurers assess risk – 5x faster, more consistently, and at far greater scale than ever before.
We have strong product-market fit and are scaling quickly:
- $2m pre-seed raised in 2025; oversubscribed seed round closing with a tier-1 specialist insurtech fund
- Six-figure annual revenue with eight figures in active pipeline
- Working with tier-1 global carriers, including Allianz, as well as specialty and regional carriers across Europe and the US
- Insurtech of the Year 2025 (Finance Awards) and European Insurtech of the Year 2025 (Guidewire Awards)
- Founding team with experience from McKinsey and QuantumBlack
About the Role: Nettle is building the AI platform that is redefining how the world's largest commercial insurers assess and manage risk. Our product replaces slow, manual workflows with intelligent automation, and we're working with some of the biggest carriers on the planet. We are live in production and have a strong pipeline of six- and seven-figure deals across Europe and the US.
We're hiring a Sales Director to own high-value deals from sourcing through signed contract. You'll find opportunities, run discovery, scope and manage the PoC that sits at the heart of every enterprise insurance deal, navigate procurement, and get the contract signed. Once a deal is in production, it moves to our customer success function.
This is a foundational hire with a defined path to leadership. You join as an individual contributor inheriting live enterprise accounts, and – as you deliver – step up to lead our European sales function, making your first hire in early 2027. A counterpart will build the US function in parallel, both tracks reporting directly to our CEO. We're hiring the outlier IC whose trajectory makes the leadership step obvious.
What You'll Accomplish:
- Close enterprise deals end‑to‑end. You own the full cycle: sourcing, discovery, qualification, PoC scoping and execution, commercial negotiation, procurement navigation, and contract signature.
- Run PoCs as a closing mechanism, not a delivery exercise. Scope pilots with clear success criteria tied to commercial outcomes. Manage milestones, risk, and stakeholder engagement throughout.
- Map the power structure and multi‑thread from day one. Know who the economic buyer is, who the champion is, who can block you, and who else in the organisation cares about the problem.
- Build a repeatable sales process. You'll be Nettle's first dedicated sales hire. What you build becomes the playbook for everyone who follows – including the team you'll go on to hire.
- Keep the pipeline honest. Maintain a clean, accurate forecast. Call your deals straight. Update the CRM because it's how you run your business, not because someone asked you to.
What We're Looking For:
- Must-haves: 8+ years in enterprise B2B sales, with a track record of personally closing six‑and seven‑figure deals. Experience selling into insurers – you understand how the industry buys, you can read insurance buying signals, and you know the difference between real pipeline and a polite waiting game.
- Demonstrable experience with structured deal qualification. Exceptional communication. Self‑directed and low‑maintenance.
Nice‑to‑haves: Experience at an early‑stage startup where you've built a sales process from scratch. Experience selling workflows and outcomes into the enterprise. German, French, or Spanish language skills.
How We Work: We're a small team that ships fast and holds each other to a high bar. We use AI tools daily to operate at a level that shouldn't be possible for a team our size.
Location: London (Shoreditch). We work from the office Monday to Thursday, with Fridays from home. Expect meaningful travel to customers.
£240k–£340k OTE (50:50), tied to closed revenue. Variable is uncapped. 0.5‑1% equity (EMI options; standard four‑year vesting, one‑year cliff). You inherit live accounts and deals already in or entering PoC – you're not building pipeline from zero.
Interview Process: Intro call (45 min)– A conversation with our Chief of Staff about your background, deal history, and what you're looking for. Culture interview (30 min)– A deeper conversation with our CEO about how you work, how you handle challenges, and what you value. Technical assessment (90 min, in person)– A 30‑minute interview with our CTO, and, later, a hands‑on simulation with our CEO and our Chief of Staff. Client materials & deal strategy (24h async + 40 min review)– Produce a client‑facing document, then iterate on feedback with our CEO and another team member.
Sales Director in London employer: Nettle
Nettle is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Shoreditch, London, where innovation meets collaboration. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to shape the sales function and step into leadership roles as the company scales rapidly. Enjoy competitive compensation, uncapped variable earnings, and equity options, all while being part of a team that values high performance and leverages cutting-edge AI technology to redefine the commercial insurance landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales Director in London
✨Leverage Your Network
In sales and business development, who you know can often be as important as what you know. Get involved with local networking events or industry meetups to connect with key players. Don't be shy—share your passion for the field and let folks know you're on the lookout for opportunities!
✨Show Your Skills Through Real-World Results
When targeting a full-time role like Sales Director at Nettle, presenting tangible results from your previous sales experience can set you apart. Bring along case studies or examples of how you've closed deals or expanded accounts, and don't forget to showcase your problem-solving prowess. It’s all about quantifying your success!
✨Engage with Sales Communities
Dive deep into online sales communities, like Sales Hacker or LinkedIn groups dedicated to sales professionals. Engaging in discussions and sharing insights can boost your visibility and might just put you on the radar of hiring managers looking for fresh talent in business development.
✨Direct Applications Matter
While we all know the online application route, consider sending direct applications to companies you admire, including Nettle. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a Sales Director. Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!
We think you need these skills to ace Sales Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Those Sales Skills:In your CV and cover letter, highlight any previous sales or business development experience you have. Use numbers and examples to showcase your achievements – did you exceed sales targets or bring in new clients? Make those accomplishments shine!
Tailor Your Message for Nettle:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for Nettle. Show that you know the company’s mission and how your skills align with their goals in the sales landscape. This personalised touch will grab their attention!
Keep It Professional Yet Engaging:Sales is all about relationships, so while you want to maintain professionalism in your application, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Engage the reader and demonstrate your enthusiastic approach to sales and business development!
Proof of Performance:Include any relevant certifications or training you’ve undertaken in sales or negotiation tactics. If you’ve attended workshops or courses, list these to showcase your commitment to professional development. This extra touch can set you apart from the competition!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nettle
✨Know Your Sales Methodologies
Brush up on popular sales methodologies like SPIN Selling or Challenger Sales. Being able to discuss these techniques and how you've applied them will show Nettle that you understand the role and can hit the ground running in the sales game.
✨Demonstrate Your Deal-Making Skills
Prepare to share stories from your past experiences where you closed deals, overcame objections, or started new client relationships. We want to show Nettle that you’re not just about numbers but also about building lasting connections in business development.
✨Prepare for Role-Play Scenarios
In a full-time sales interview, don’t be surprised if they throw in a role-play exercise to test your pitching skills. Practising how you would pitch a product or handle an objection will help us shine in this simulation—think of it like a dress rehearsal for your future sales calls!
✨Align Your Goals with the Company’s Vision
Take a moment to reflect on how your career ambitions align with Nettle’s objectives. When we articulate how our personal growth ties in with the company’s goals, it shows commitment and a genuine interest in contributing to their success.
