At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth in education recruitment and lead new service development.
- Company: Operam Education Group, a leader in education recruitment with a focus on sustainable growth.
- Benefits: Up to 34 days holiday, performance bonuses, enhanced sick pay, and volunteer days.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education recruitment while making a positive impact.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in education recruitment and strong leadership experience required.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to creating an equitable workplace.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Location: Manchester / Birmingham / London. Manchester will be the main base for this role, with travel required across our group portfolio branch locations. We are open to discussing hybrid working arrangements, subject to business needs.
The Opportunity: Operam Education Group is entering into its next exciting phase of growth. We have a clear ambition to accelerate scalable, sustainable organic growth across the Group by building on our proven operating model, expansion of our client base and developing into new regional territories and service lines. This role sits at the heart of that ambition.
We are looking to appoint a Sales Director to work closely with our Executive Directors, Regional Leaders, and Value Creation Team to shape and deliver our organic and new business development growth strategy. This is a senior, visible role with real influence, combining strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
The Role: As Sales Director, you will be responsible for driving organic growth across our client base while leading the development and commercialisation of new service lines and regional locations. You will:
- Lead growth initiatives that expand Operam’s territorial and sector footprint
- Translate strategy into clear commercial plans, KPIs, and outcomes
- Support and challenge regional teams to maximise performance
- Play a key role in shaping how Operam grows; sustainably, profitably, and at pace
This is a hands-on role. You will be actively involved with clients, the partnerships team, and senior stakeholders, helping to win business, launch new propositions, and embed best practice across the Group.
Key Responsibilities:
- Drive revenue growth across client relationships through upselling and deepening engagement within our client portfolio.
- Develop targeted strategies to increase share of wallet and maximise opportunities within our key accounts and partnerships.
- Identify, assess, and support the opening of new regional locations, working in partnership with the value creation team and leadership.
- Support the Regional Directors and their sales teams in building long-term, value-driven partnerships with clients, and reengaging with lapsed clients.
- Strengthen commercial disciplines, performance metrics, and accountability.
- Act as a senior ambassador for Operam with clients and partners.
About You: You are a commercially minded recruitment leader with a strong track record of building and scaling recruitment businesses. You will bring:
- 10+ years’ experience in education recruitment, staffing, or talent solutions
- At least 3 years in a senior leadership role
- Experience launching or commercialising new recruitment services
- Exposure to opening new offices or regional expansions (preferred)
- A strong understanding of recruitment delivery models, fee structures, and client needs
- The ability to lead, influence, and collaborate at senior level
- A data-driven mindset with experience using CRM/ATS and performance forecasting
Why Join Operam: High visibility and influence at Executive level. A genuine opportunity to shape the future growth of a respected recruitment group. The chance to drive strategic, hands-on impact across regions and service lines. The ability to contribute to Operam’s Impact strategy and be at the forefront of driving positive change in education recruitment.
Our Employee Benefits Include:
- Performance-driven bonus plan tied to revenue, profitability and growth milestones
- Up to 34 days holiday + Bank holidays
- This includes your birthday off on us and a wellbeing day to focus on self-care
- Enhanced sick pay after 2 years' service
- Life Assurance
- Paid volunteer days aligning to our impact and pledge programme
- Employee Assistant programme
- Perks and discounts app
In addition, this role provides access to an expanded leadership benefits package, aligned to senior-level responsibility and impact.
Application Process: Interested candidates should submit a CV and a cover letter detailing relevant recruitment sector experience, examples of organic growth achievements, and experience launching new services or regions. Selected candidates will be contacted for interviews.
As a proud member of Inclusive Employers, we are committed to creating a diverse, welcoming, and equitable workplace. We believe in providing a fair and transparent recruitment process, where every candidate is assessed solely on their skills, experience, and potential. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the application process or at any stage of the interview, please let us know. We are committed to making the necessary accommodations to support you fully.
Please note that all successful candidates will be required to provide proof of their right to work in the UK before commencing employment.
Sales Director in Manchester employer: Operam Education Group
Contact Detail:
Operam Education Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales Director in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Sales Director role.
✨Tip Number 2
Be ready to showcase your achievements! When you get that interview, have specific examples of how you've driven growth in previous roles. Numbers speak volumes, so bring those stats along!
✨Tip Number 3
Research the company inside out. Understand Operam's mission and values, and think about how you can contribute to their growth strategy. This will show you're genuinely interested and invested.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the team at Operam Education Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Sales Director in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Sales Director role. Highlight your experience in education recruitment and any achievements related to organic growth. We want to see how your background aligns with our goals!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us about your passion for education recruitment and how you’ve successfully launched new services or regions. Keep it engaging and relevant to the role.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a senior role, we’re looking for strong leadership qualities. In your application, share examples of how you've influenced teams and driven performance. We want to know how you can lead us into our next phase of growth!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at Operam!
How to prepare for a job interview at Operam Education Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Sales Director, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of key performance metrics. Brush up on your past achievements in revenue growth and client engagement. Be ready to discuss specific figures and how you achieved them.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
This role requires a blend of strategic thinking and hands-on execution. Prepare examples of how you've translated strategy into actionable plans in previous roles. Highlight your experience in launching new services or expanding into new regions.
✨Engage with the Team
Since collaboration is key, think about how you've supported and challenged teams in the past. Be prepared to share stories that illustrate your leadership style and how you foster long-term partnerships with clients and internal teams.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to drive growth. Prepare for hypothetical scenarios related to client engagement or regional expansion, and think through your approach to tackling these challenges.