At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic sales team in the UK Defence and Intelligence sectors.
- Company: Join Elastic, a leading Search AI company transforming data into actionable insights.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible schedules, generous vacation, and health coverage.
- Other info: Diversity is key; we welcome all backgrounds and offer inclusive support.
- Why this job: Shape strategies that impact national security while growing your career in tech.
- Qualifications: Proven sales leader with experience in enterprise SaaS and UK public sector.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
Elastic, the Search AI Company, enables everyone to find the answers they need in real time, using all their data, at scale — unleashing the potential of businesses and people. The Elastic Search AI Platform, used by more than 50% of the Fortune 500, brings together the precision of search and the intelligence of AI to enable everyone to accelerate the results that matter.
Elastic is looking for a high-energy Regional Vice President to manage the Sales function across the UK Defence, Intelligence, and National Security sectors. This position offers a unique opportunity to manage and shape Elastic’s strategy for this critical public sector vertical, including new logo acquisition across the Ministry of Defence (MoD), prime contractors, and the wider Intelligence Community.
You will be responsible for 1st Line Leadership across the sector—establishing a scalable, repeatable public sector sales motion and unlocking growth in one of Elastic’s most mission-critical segments. This role will report into the Global Vice President for Public Sector sales.
What You Will Be Doing
- Manage and grow a team of Accomplished Account Executives dedicated to the UK Defence and National Security markets.
- Build and execute a winning sales strategy tailored to the unique procurement frameworks, security protocols, and mission objectives of the UK defence landscape.
- Foster a culture of energy, growth mindset, and high performance—motivating your team to achieve extraordinary results.
- Lead from the front: actively engage in strategic, high-value government deals, coach your team, and set the standard for excellence.
- Design and implement scalable sales processes, compliant capture management plans, and strategic account segmentation across defence commands and intelligence agencies.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Product, Marketing, and specialized Public Sector Partner/SI teams to deliver mission-ready value and innovation to customers.
- Ensure quota attainment and drive Elastic’s enterprise sales methodology within complex, long-cycle public sector procurement routes (e.g., Crown Commercial Service frameworks).
- Champion teamwork, transparency, creativity, and continuous improvement.
- Travel regularly across the UK to assist in deal creation, secure facility meetings, and closure, as well as providing strong leadership and support to your field team.
- Partner across Elastic’s leadership community to ensure a seamless, highly secure customer experience from onboarding to deployment.
What You Bring
- Proven sales leader with extensive experience running high-performing enterprise SaaS or software sales teams within the UK Defence, MoD, or National Security verticals.
- Deep understanding of UK public sector procurement pathways and defense framework agreements.
- Experienced to lead in a complex, matrixed global technology organization.
- Growth mindset: resilient, curious, and motivated to build and scale a mission-critical sector.
- Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills.
- Experience designing and implementing structured sales strategies, capture plans, and territory management models for government accounts.
- Existing relationships with key UK defence primes, systems integrators, and crown stakeholders.
- Holding an active UK Security Clearance (SC or DV clearance), or eligibility and willingness to undergo the vetting process.
Bonus Points
- Prior experience at an open-source or developer‐centric infrastructure company.
- Familiarity with how observability (logs, metrics, traces) and security analytics (SIEM/XDR) protect critical national infrastructure (CNI) and support cyber defence operations.
Additional Information - We Take Care of Our People
As a distributed company, diversity drives our identity. Whether you’re looking to launch a new career or grow an existing one, Elastic is the type of company where you can balance great work with great life. Your age is only a number. It doesn’t matter if you’re just out of college or your children are; we need you for what you can do.
We strive to have parity of benefits across regions and while regulations differ from place to place, we believe taking care of our people is the right thing to do.
- Competitive pay based on the work you do here and not your previous salary.
- Health coverage for you and your family in many locations.
- Ability to craft your calendar with flexible locations and schedules for many roles.
- Generous number of vacation days each year.
- Increase your impact - We match up to $2000 (or local currency equivalent) for financial donations and service.
- Up to 40 hours each year to use toward volunteer projects you love.
- Embracing parenthood with minimum of 16 weeks of parental leave.
Different people approach problems differently. We need that. Elastic is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law, ordinance or regulation.
We welcome individuals with disabilities and strive to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all individuals. To request an accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please email candidate_accessibility@elastic.co. We will reply to your request within 24 business hours of submission.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws.
RVP - UK Defence and Inteligence employer: Referral Board
Elastic is an exceptional employer that champions a diverse and inclusive work culture, offering competitive pay and comprehensive health coverage for employees and their families. With a strong focus on employee growth, Elastic provides flexible working arrangements, generous vacation days, and support for community engagement through volunteer opportunities and financial matching for donations. Located in a dynamic environment, this role as a Mid-Market Account Executive not only allows you to drive meaningful impact but also fosters a collaborative atmosphere where innovative problem-solving is celebrated.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land RVP - UK Defence and Inteligence
✨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 RVP - UK Defence and Inteligence at Referral Board, 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 Referral Board. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a RVP - UK Defence and Inteligence. Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!
We think you need these skills to ace RVP - UK Defence and Inteligence
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 Referral Board:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for Referral Board. 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 Referral Board
✨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 Referral Board 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 Referral Board 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 Referral Board’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.