At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the growth strategy for our Quick Service Restaurant division and drive franchise sales.
- Company: Join the fastest growing tech company in the UK, redefining the restaurant industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy share options, flexible working, generous holidays, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping the future of food and expanding beloved brands.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in sales leadership, innovative mindset, and a passion for great food.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 110000 £ per year.
£80k - £110k OTE (Basic 80k + Monthly Uncapped Commission) – Hybrid: London Based (Victoria Station) & Remote 1 or 2 days per week, with some travel duties.
Who Are We?
Fastest Growing UK Tech Company (Sunday Times) Fastest Growing UK&I Company (Sifted) Fastest Growing Europe Company (Sifted)
Sessions is building the operating model for the future of restaurants, giving consumers instant access to the brands they love, wherever they live. The Sessions distribution engine runs through 400+ delivery kitchens and 16 high street restaurants across the UK. Founded in 2020 and led by ex-Deliveroo MD Dan Warne, Sessions has grown 7x in three years. Our platform has processed over 5 million orders and reaches 60% of the UK population. Our team brings experience from Deliveroo, Amazon, BrewDog, and Gousto. We scale brands at a pace that redefines what’s possible in food.
About the Role
As the Head of Commercial for our fast‑growing Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) division, you will be the chief architect of our expansion, directly responsible for fuelling the company’s growth through creating and delivering the franchise sales strategy for multiple brands including SoBe Burger, Ivan Ramen and future star brands. This is a high‑impact leadership role that requires a blend of strategic foresight, sales acumen, and exceptional people management skills. Your primary mandate is to ensure an ambitious, qualified, and diverse pipeline of future franchise openings that aligns with our aggressive expansion goals and brand standards.
You will lead, mentor, and motivate a high‑performing team of Development Managers, providing them with the tools, training, and strategic direction necessary to successfully identify, qualify, and close deals with prospective franchise partners. You will also take ownership of the entire open pipeline, from initial lead generation and discovery through to final contract execution, ensuring process efficiency and maximising conversion rates. Success in this role will be defined by your ability to develop and execute a comprehensive, scalable franchise sales strategy across multiple headline brands, hitting annual unit growth targets, and establishing robust systems for long‑term sustainable development.
Responsibilities
- Pioneering Growth Strategy: Create, develop, own, and execute the comprehensive sales strategy for the Sessions QSR vertical. This includes leveraging market data, competitive intelligence, and internal performance metrics to identify and prioritise high‑potential growth territories and target demographics for new franchise partner acquisition.
- Performance & P&L Accountability: Establish, monitor, and enforce ambitious, data‑driven targets across the entire sales pipeline, ensuring alignment with the QSR P&L and aggressive market penetration goals.
- Cross‑Functional Onboarding Excellence: Act as the Executive Sponsor and primary liaison with Operations and Launch Teams to design and enforce a seamless, high‑velocity, and scalable new Franchise onboarding pipeline, proactively resolving systemic bottlenecks.
- Franchise Value Maximisation & Retention: Direct and empower Operations teams to monitor and improve operational and financial performance, maximising partner lifetime value and overall system profitability, and owning the strategy to prevent critical partner churn.
- Team Leadership & Capability Building: Recruit, train, mentor and performance manage the QSR team’s Development Managers, growing the team as the business expands.
- Strategic Market Intervention: Collaborate closely with Growth and Finance to define and initiate targeted, high‑impact commercial and discounting strategies that accelerate market share capture and optimise the quality and size of the acquired partner base.
- Executive Reporting & Forecasting: Deliver high‑stakes monthly and quarterly performance reviews and accurate forward‑looking forecasts to the Managing Director and the wider Executive Team, articulating key drivers, strategic risks, and necessary course corrections.
Requirements
- Academic background from a top‑tier university
- 3+ years of complex sales or commercial leadership experience
- Experience growing a foundational team into a fully‑fledged business
- Strong commercial and management experience
- Innovative thinker – able to build a new model in a new region
- Passion for great food and an entrepreneurial mindset
- Street hustler, prepared to ‘get stuck in’ and do what it takes to close deals and grow revenue
- Prepared to work very hard, take decisions at speed and get things done, comfortable finding order in chaos
- Strategic thinker – able to elevate the business from day‑to‑day where appropriate
- Well‑rounded individual able and willing to flex to take ownership outside core responsibilities
- Strong commercial acumen with strong negotiation skills
- Charismatic and energetic with a passion for food
- Expert level of English language
- Right to work in the UK
Benefits & Perks
- Financial: Share options – Receive an amount of share options for Sessions Market Ltd. Pay day on demand – Access to pay whenever needed. Expense card – Company Card. Finance Platform – Access to 'Mintago', Financial Wellbeing Platform.
- Social, Mental & Physical Wellbeing: Hybrid working – up to 2 days working remotely per week. Holidays – 25 days + bank holidays + birthday off. Healthcare – Healthcare CashPlan scheme. Employee Assistance Programme – support for mental health and legal services. Socials – monthly socials. Dog Friendly – we welcome pets in the office. Wear what you like – no suits and ties required.
- Technology Perks: Laptop – Apple Mac. Phone – Apple iPhone and company SIM provided.
- Progression & Development: High Growth Start Up – chance to be part of a growing company with progression opportunities from day one. Be Inspired – learn from a team that has scaled some of the UK’s biggest consumer companies. Membership & Qualifications – sessions help support employees with funds for work‑based qualifications and memberships.
Sessions are a living wage and equal opportunity employer. All applicants are reviewed anonymously; only work experience and education are available for the hiring manager to view. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, family or parental status, national origin, veteran, neurodiversity status or disability status.
Head of Commercial in City of Westminster employer: Sessionsmarket
Sessionsmarket is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that thrives on innovation and collaboration. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide ample opportunities for professional development and career advancement within the fast-paced QSR sector. Located in the vibrant UK market, our team enjoys a supportive environment that values creativity and efficiency, making it a rewarding place to contribute to the success of over 20 brands.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial in City of Westminster
✨Get to Know Your E-commerce Community
Dive into specific e-commerce forums and groups on platforms like Reddit or Facebook. Engaging with these communities can open up opportunities and give you insights into what companies like Sessionsmarket are looking for when hiring for a Head of Commercial.
✨Showcase Your Skills with an Online Portfolio
In e-commerce, a strong online presence can set you apart. Create a portfolio that highlights any projects, case studies, or even personal ventures related to e-commerce. When you apply to Sessionsmarket for the Head of Commercial, a tangible demonstration of your skills could make a huge difference.
✨Attend E-commerce Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on e-commerce conferences and workshops in your area. Not only will you gain valuable knowledge, but networking with industry professionals could lead to job leads. Plus, if you're keen to work at Sessionsmarket as a Head of Commercial, rub shoulders with their representatives when possible!
✨Utilise Company Resources
Don’t forget to check out Sessionsmarket’s career page for any unique application processes or opportunities that might not be listed on job boards. Applying directly through their website might give your application a bit more visibility, especially for a Head of Commercial.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your E-Commerce Savviness:When you're applying for an e-commerce role at Sessionsmarket, make sure your CV reflects your familiarity with online retail platforms, digital marketing, and user experience. Highlight any relevant tools and technologies you've used, like Shopify or Google Analytics, to demonstrate that you’re well-versed in the industry.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not just reiterate your CV; it’s your chance to showcase your passion for e-commerce and how it aligns with Sessionsmarket's goals. Mention specific projects or achievements that relate to the role, and don’t forget to express your enthusiasm for working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where you can make a tangible impact.
Metrics Matter:In the world of e-commerce, numbers speak volumes. When detailing your past experiences, quantify your achievements wherever possible—like the percentage of sales growth you contributed to or successful conversion rates from marketing campaigns. This will make your application stand out and show that you're results-driven.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t forget to customise your CV and cover letter for the specific position at Sessionsmarket. Use keywords from the job description, and address the unique challenges the company may face in the e-commerce space. A personalised application helps us see that you're not just applying everywhere but are genuinely interested in being part of our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sessionsmarket
✨Show Off Your E-commerce Know-How
In a sector like e-commerce, having a strong grasp of current trends and technologies is crucial. Let’s make sure you’ve brushed up on key platforms that Sessionsmarket uses—think about popular e-commerce software, digital marketing strategies, and how these affect consumer behaviour. Being able to discuss these intelligently can really set you apart.
✨Portfolio Power: Showcase Your Results
For a full-time e-commerce role, it’s key for us to present a portfolio that highlights your results rather than just your tasks. If you’ve worked on campaigns or projects, bring examples that showcase your contribution and the impact they made—use metrics if you can! This helps to illustrate your value in a real-world context.
✨Technical Questions: Prep for the Specifics
Get ready to tackle some technical questions related to e-commerce analytics, SEO tools, or website optimisation. Think about any past experiences where you utilised data to inform decisions or improve sales. Being prepared with specific examples will showcase not just your knowledge, but also your practical application of it, which we all know is crucial!
✨Engage in a Conversational Style
Full-time interviews can feel quite formal, but try to keep it conversational, especially if you click with your interviewers at Sessionsmarket. Share your thoughts and ideas about the future of e-commerce, and don’t shy away from engaging with their questions openly. The more genuine and relatable you are, the better connection you’ll create!