At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a sales team while driving new lending opportunities.
- Company: Ambitious specialist lender with significant funding capacity and growth potential.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and the chance to shape business strategy.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to build valuable industry relationships.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on a growing company and influence its future direction.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in property-backed lending and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid, with an expectation of attending the Cornwall or Cheltenham office once a week, or a minimum of twice a month depending on location.
A rare opportunity for an established property finance sales leader to take ownership of business development and help shape the next phase of growth for an ambitious specialist lender. An established specialist lender is entering an exciting period of growth, with significant funding capacity to deploy and several new lending products being brought to market.
The business is now looking for an experienced Senior Sales Manager with a strong background in property-backed lending to drive sales forward, develop an ambitious and disciplined business development strategy, and maximise the opportunity within its intermediary network. This is a role for someone who wants to do more than manage an existing sales team. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape how the business goes to market, develop new opportunities and influence the evolution of the product offering through direct feedback from brokers and introducers.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Head of Commercial, the Senior Sales Manager will lead sales and business development activity across the organisation. There is already an experienced Relationship Management team and an established network of brokers and introducers. The opportunity is to build on these foundations and create a more extensive, structured and highly disciplined business development strategy capable of supporting the organisation's growth ambitions.
A key part of the role will be understanding what brokers and introducers want from a specialist lender — where the gaps in the market are, what products they need and where opportunities exist — and using those insights to help shape the organisation's future product offering. With substantial lending capacity available and a number of new products being launched, the successful candidate will play a central role in turning that capacity into quality lending opportunities and sustainable revenue growth.
What you'll be doing
- Lead, motivate and develop an experienced team of Relationship Managers
- Take ownership of the sales and business development strategy
- Build a comprehensive and disciplined approach to business development and deal origination
- Drive new lending opportunities and maximise the organisation's available funding capacity
- Develop and strengthen relationships with brokers, introducers and professional intermediaries
- Identify new intermediary relationships and opportunities to expand market reach
- Establish clear pipeline, activity and conversion targets and ensure they are consistently managed
- Use sales MI and market data to identify opportunities, address underperformance and improve conversion
- Gather structured feedback from brokers and introducers to understand market demand and emerging opportunities
- Translate intermediary and market insight into recommendations for future products and propositions
- Support the successful launch and commercial development of new lending products
- Coach and develop Relationship Managers to improve business generation and sales effectiveness
- Work closely with underwriting, credit, completions and marketing to ensure the customer journey supports growth
- Represent the organisation at industry events, conferences and networking opportunities
- Provide market intelligence and commercial insight to the senior leadership team
Who they're looking for
The organisation is looking for an established Sales Manager or senior business development professional with a proven background in property-backed lending. This could include experience across:
- Property finance
- Commercial mortgages
- Development finance
- Bridging finance
- Secured lending
- SME property lending
The key requirement is a strong understanding of property-backed lending and the intermediary market, combined with the commercial drive and leadership capability to take sales performance to the next level. The successful candidate will bring:
- Proven experience managing and developing sales or relationship management teams
- A strong track record in property-backed or specialist lending
- Established relationships with commercial finance brokers and introducers
- A demonstrable ability to generate and convert new business
- Experience developing and implementing structured business development strategies
- A disciplined approach to pipeline management, sales activity and performance measurement
- Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of credit and lending
- Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills
- The ability to listen to the market and turn broker insight into commercial opportunities
- The energy and entrepreneurial mindset to drive growth in an evolving business
Why this role?
The opportunity is significant. The business has the funding capacity to lend, an experienced Relationship Management team and new products coming to market. What it now needs is an ambitious sales leader who can bring greater structure, focus and momentum to its business development activity. The successful candidate will have genuine influence over how the organisation grows, who it does business with and ultimately what it offers to the market. For an experienced property finance sales professional who enjoys building relationships, developing people and creating new opportunities, this is an opportunity to have a real commercial impact on a growing specialist lender.
Senior Sales Manager in Exeter employer: Redland Search - Professional Recruitment Solutions
Join a dynamic and established financial services business in Cheltenham, where you will have the autonomy to manage a complex loan portfolio and make impactful decisions. Our supportive work culture values fairness, openness, and initiative, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development. With a focus on collaboration and transparency, we empower our employees to take ownership of their work and contribute meaningfully to the success of our clients and the business.
Contact Details:
Redland Search - Professional Recruitment Solutions Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Sales Manager in Exeter
✨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 Senior Sales Manager at Redland Search - Professional Recruitment Solutions, 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 Redland Search - Professional Recruitment Solutions. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a Senior Sales Manager. Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Sales Manager in Exeter
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 Redland Search - Professional Recruitment Solutions:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for Redland Search - Professional Recruitment Solutions. 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 Redland Search - Professional Recruitment Solutions
✨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 Redland Search - Professional Recruitment Solutions 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 Redland Search - Professional Recruitment Solutions 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 Redland Search - Professional Recruitment Solutions’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.
