Head of Direct Sales in London

Head of Direct Sales in London

London Full-Time 90000 - 110000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
S

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and inspire a successful sales team while driving growth for elite clients.
  • Company: Join Saxo Bank, a purpose-driven organisation with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Robust career development, diverse culture, and opportunities to make a real impact.
  • Other info: Dynamic international environment with immense career opportunities.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of VIP client business and exceed ambitious targets.
  • Qualifications: Proven sales leadership experience and strong communication skills required.

The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.

Join our Direct Commercial team in London, where you will lead and inspire one of Saxo’s most successful sales teams, while also playing a key role in driving new business. You will drive growth, innovation, and client success for the most valuable clients in our portfolio. This is your opportunity to shape the future of our Elite VIP client business, exceed ambitious targets, and make a real impact across multiple markets. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will lead a core focus area of the business with a mandate to drive innovation and growth.

The Saxo Elite offering caters to our most valuable direct-to-customer clients contributing a substantial portion of the business’ revenue. You’ll be responsible for your own book of clients, originating new business, and leading a team of Relationship Managers.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and Inspire: Guide the Relationship Management teams to exceed annual sales targets, acting as a role model and fostering a high-performance culture across the organisation.
  • Business Development & VIP Client Experience: Ensure the sales team continuously delivers outstanding VIP client experiences. Acquire and manage your own top clients and high-potential opportunities, ensuring exceptional service and conversion of key prospects.
  • Strategic Growth: Define and implement growth strategies for our VIP clients, driving business development and expanding the client base across Active Trading, Investing, and Wholesale segments.
  • Compliance & Best Practice: Support KYC and due diligence for VIP clients, ensuring compliance with sales policies and alignment with global priorities and the Strategy Execution Plan (SEP).
  • Performance Management: Oversee pipeline management, set and track KPIs, conduct regular reviews, and provide coaching and feedback to maximize team performance.
  • Cross-Functional Leadership: Promote collaboration across teams, lead skills development initiatives, represent Saxo in the market, and ensure operational excellence in all activities.

Your profile

We are looking for an inspiring leader and coach with a passion for sales, trading, and a proven track record of driving business growth. Furthermore, we’re looking for someone who is motivated by business development and has a natural ability to cultivate long-term client relationships. To succeed in this role, you need strong communication skills and the ability to thrive within an international, fast-paced environment. It is essential that you have exceptional stakeholder management skills and can foster team spirit and develop talent. If you are commercially driven, results-oriented, and comfortable making decisions that balance risk and opportunity, you should apply for this position.

Required skills and experience

  • Passionate about business development and a proven ability to build and maintain client relationships.
  • Extensive experience leading sales teams within financial services.
  • A book of ready clients you would seek to onboard with Saxo and the ability to successfully build strategies for acquiring new clients.
  • A deep understanding of trading and investing.
  • Familiarity with regulatory compliance and risk management in sales.
  • Experience working in an international environment and managing cross-border teams.
  • Excellent communication skills in English (including coaching experience).
  • Willingness to travel as required.
  • A university degree.

Location: London, with expectations for regional travel.

When you work at Saxo, you become a Saxonian and part of a purpose-driven organisation, where good ideas are always taken seriously, and where you can make a true impact. We are invested in your development, and you can expect a robust career from day one when you join Saxo – no matter which role you take on. You will join 2,500 other ambitious colleagues across 11 countries and become part of an international organisation. Working in Saxo, you will get to meet colleagues from many different cultures and backgrounds, and you should know that we value diversity and inclusion and see it as a genuine source of strength to drive growth, foster innovation and position us for long-term success. We encourage an open feedback culture and supportive team environments enabling employees to grow and fulfil their career aspirations. When you bring passion, curiosity, drive and team spirit, your learning journey will be dynamic and your career opportunities in Saxo will be immense. At Saxo we don’t just offer a job – we offer an opportunity to invest in your future!

About Saxo Bank

We believe access to global capital markets is not only for the privileged few. Our vision is to enable people to fulfil their financial aspirations to make an impact. That’s why we use the power of technology to deliver clients what they need, when they need it in a user-friendly and personalised experience. We aim to deliver the world’s most user-friendly and personalized trading and investment platform experience, which gives our clients exactly what they need to make more informed investment decisions.

So, if you’re up for the challenge of breaking down barriers in global financial markets, we’re always looking for ambitious and enthusiastic people who share our passion for clients, technology and innovation and can bring new perspectives to our diverse team.

Head of Direct Sales in London employer: Saxo Group

Saxo Bank is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, where your ideas are valued and your career development is prioritised from day one. As the Head of Direct Sales in London, you will lead a high-performing team while enjoying robust growth opportunities within a diverse international environment, all while making a significant impact on our Elite VIP client business. Join us to not only advance your career but also to be part of a purpose-driven organisation committed to transforming access to global capital markets.

S

Contact Details:

Saxo Group Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Direct Sales in London

Tap into Campus Networks

If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.

Get Certified

Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.

Connect on Professional Platforms

Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.

Apply Directly and Be Proactive

Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Saxo Group. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Direct Sales in London

Sales Leadership
Business Development
Client Relationship Management
Strategic Growth Planning
Compliance Knowledge
Performance Management
Cross-Functional Collaboration

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.

Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Saxo Group.

Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.

Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Saxo Group's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Saxo Group

Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills

Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Saxo Group.

Prepare for Case Studies

Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.

Show Your Passion for Finance

Since this is a full-time position, employers at Saxo Group will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.

Network with Industry Professionals

Before your interview, reach out to current or former Saxo Group employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.