Commercial Sales Lead (London Area)

Climbing Trees is a dynamic and innovative digital advertising agency comprising a close-knit team of professionals. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment where creativity and strategic thinking thrive. As we continue to grow, we recognise the need to enhance our human resources practices to support our team\’s development and well-being. We want to be an excellent place for our staff to do some of the best work of their careers.Our valuesWe’re seeking someone that truly connects with our values – to promote them internally and help us embed them in our decisions, our actions, and our impact every single day.We are ethicalEverything we do is underpinned with honesty, impeccable decision-making, kindness and thoughtfulness. The team share a passion for building a sustainable and inclusive future. We work together to find solutions for our clients’ challenges while always considering their impact on the wider world.We are curiousWe’re always learning, staying ahead of trends, and exploring new ideas with open and inquisitive minds. This means clients can expect industry leading digital marketing campaigns with results to match. Our regular thought leadership, research and events and an insight into our inquisitive mind.We are caringWe genuinely give a damn about our clients, their businesses and our work. We take their success personally, our desire to succeed means we invest our time and emotions into doing a great job. We are client-focused We pride ourselves on keeping good company. When we find a client that aligns with our values and has interesting challenges we can solve, we don’t let them go! Our exceptional client service and quest to always add value is how we have forged such long-lasting relationshipsAs Sales Lead, you’ll own the commercial growth of Climbing Trees by bringing in premium clients that align with our ethical mission. You’ll combine your agency experience, strategic mindset, and exceptional relationship-building skills to move away from volume-based sales and build consultative, high-value partnerships.You will lead our sales engine, collaborate across the agency, and serve as a visible brand ambassador in the right rooms—connecting us with the clients we’re here to serve.Sales Strategy & LeadershipDevelop and lead a robust sales engine in collaboration with our marketing team (Friday Sorted)Shape and refine a consultative, ethical sales strategy aligned with our mission and revenue goalsLead the qualification, management, and reporting of the prospect pipelineCreate clear and actionable KPI frameworks, focused on quality over quantityBusiness Development & Client AcquisitionIdentify, engage, and convert ethically aligned prospects into high-value, long-term clients (retainers of £60k+ annually)Leverage your existing network and presence at relevant industry and sustainability events to connect with senior decision-makersPresent tailored proposals that reflect our performance marketing expertise and ethical positioningBuild and nurture relationships that are advisory—not transactionalCommercial & Operational ExcellenceAccurately forecast revenue and lead conversion metricsEnsure robust CRM hygiene and data-driven pipeline reportingSupport our agency’s shift toward premium positioning and away from high-volume/low-revenue clientsDrive negotiation strategies that focus on value, not discountingThought Leadership & Brand AdvocacyRepresent Climbing Trees publicly as a credible, inspiring leader, you will have an interest in our market and sharing that knowledge to build our reputation within the digital marketing space.Collaborate on thought leadership content to position the agency as a go-to expert in ethical digital marketingBe a role model across the agency, promoting cross-team collaboration and client-first thinkingKey Challenges:As the first dedicated sales lead, you’ll need to bring the wider team on the journey — especially where sales processes impact delivery and marketing.Wearing Multiple HatsWith a lean team, you\’ll need to be comfortable flexing between business development, marketing collaboration, pipeline reportingFiltering for FitFinding clients that align with both commercial goals and ethical values will require rigorous qualification and long-term vision.Refine and Elevate a Proven Sales FoundationThis is a unique opportunity to take an already successful, founder-led sales function and evolve it into a focused, scalable engine — refining what\’s worked, formalising best practices, and unlocking sustainable growth.Define How Values-Driven Sales WorkLearn how to sell ethically — not just for profit, but for impact — and help create a new model for sustainable agency growth.Direct Access to StrategyClose collaboration with leadership means your input will shape positioning, service design, and client experience.Master Selling into Purpose-Led SectorsHone your ability to speak to sustainability, B Corp, and ESG-driven decision-makers — a highly valuable and emerging skillset.Be the Catalyst for ScaleYour work will lay the foundation for future hires, tools, and systems that enable growth beyond founder-led sales.Our ideal candidate will:Have a proven track record in a sales or business development role within a digital or performance marketing agency securing and growing large client retainers (£60k+/year)Deep understanding of performance marketing channels (PPC, SEO, Paid Social, Analytics)Strong commercial acumen with accurate forecasting and KPI tracking abilityExceptional pitch, presentation, and negotiation skillsOutstanding relationship-building and qualification skillsNatural networker with access to the right events and executive decision-makersStrategic thinker who can communicate our unique ethical value propositionWhats it like to work at Climbing Trees?At Climbing Trees, we’re a tight-knit, purpose-driven team that thrives on collaboration, transparency, and doing great work that does good in the world. We’re small enough to stay agile, but established enough to have processes that work — and we’re always open to evolving them.How We Work Together:Collaborative, Not Hierarchical – Everyone’s voice matters. We work together across roles to solve problems, win business, and deliver impactful campaigns.Purpose-Led – We’re values-first, not just in who we work with, but how we treat each other. Trust, integrity, and sustainability guide both our client work and internal culture.High Standards, Low Ego – We care about quality and accountability, without the politics or posturing.Open Communication – Weekly team meetings, clear reporting, and approachable leadership keep everyone aligned and in the loop.Focus Time + Flow – While we value collaboration, we also protect time for deep work — respecting boundaries and individual ways of working.In-Office Culture – With 3 days a week together in our Essex office, we prioritise real connection, shared energy, and informal idea-sharing.BenefitsCompetitive SalaryWe proudly offer a competitive salary designed to recognise and reward your talent and impact.Flexible workingWe’ve been working flexibly and remotely since before it was trendy.Volunteering daysChoose how you want to make personal impact by volunteering on our time.Bespoke trainingAccess a self-directed training plan tailored just for you.BoundariesLook after yourself, always make time to switch off.Emergency loanLife can throw unexpected curveballs, be covered with a £1k emergency loan once you’ve passed probation.Free refreshmentsWe keep you going with free tea, coffee, and fruit in the office. (plus free air right?!)Socials and tripsWe shut the office annually to spend time as a team, as well as lots of socials throughout the year.HealthcareTo keep you fighting fit, take up our private healthcare plan.3:30pm Friday FinishLook forward to the weekend and get the Friday feeling by finishing earlySabbaticalTake time out to rediscover yourself once you’ve been with Climbing Trees for ten years.Happy Birthday!Our gift to you is to never have to work your birthday again.