At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sales for Spotify's innovative B2B SaaS products and drive revenue growth.
- Company: Join Spotify, a leader in tech innovation and developer experience.
- Benefits: Flexible work options, extensive learning opportunities, and generous parental leave.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to represent Spotify at industry events.
- Why this job: Shape the future of software development with AI-driven solutions at scale.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in B2B SaaS sales and experience leading high-performing teams.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
The Platform team creates the technology that enables Spotify to learn quickly and scale easily, enabling rapid growth in our users and our business around the globe. Spanning many disciplines, we work to make the business work; creating the infrastructure, tooling, frameworks, and capabilities needed to welcome a billion customers. Backstage was created at Spotify and has grown into a leading SaaS and open source platform for developer portals. Thousands of companies use Backstage to bring structure to complex microservices environments, improve developer experience, and ship high-quality software faster — including in the age of AI — without losing autonomy or control.
This role leads sales for Shipping Our Expertise (SOE), Spotify's B2B SaaS business built on our platform capabilities. Our flagship products — Backstage Portal and Confidence — are AI‑first and built to support both human developers and automated systems. Everything we bring to market is battle‑tested at Spotify scale, giving our customers confidence that our solutions work in the most complex R&D environments.
What You'll Do
- Own revenue targets across new business, expansion, and retention for the SOE product portfolio
- Lead, coach, and grow a distributed team across Account Executives, Sales Engineers, and Customer Support
- Define and execute a sales strategy focused on engineering leaders, platform teams, and developer experience buyers
- Partner closely with Marketing to align on pipeline generation, messaging, and go‑to‑market strategy
- Collaborate with Product and Engineering to represent customer needs and influence roadmap priorities
- Build deep expertise in Backstage Portal and Confidence, translating technical value into clear customer outcomes
- Tell a compelling story about Spotify’s dogfooding approach and how our products are proven internally at scale
- Establish strong forecasting discipline and maintain a healthy, predictable pipeline
- Track and improve key metrics such as pipeline coverage, conversion rates, time to close, and net revenue retention
- Design scalable sales processes, onboarding programs, and playbooks as the business grows
- Represent Spotify externally at industry events, conferences, and key customer engagements
Who You Are
- You have 8+ years of experience in B2B SaaS sales, including 3+ years leading and developing high‑performing teams
- You are excited about how AI is transforming software development and can connect that shift to real customer value
- You are comfortable engaging with engineering leaders, CTOs, and platform teams, and build credibility through understanding their challenges
- You have experience selling to R&D, engineering, or developer experience buyers and understand their decision‑making processes
- You bring experience working alongside Sales Engineering and understand the importance of technical depth in complex sales
- You have owned or partnered closely with Customer Support or Customer Success and view post‑sale health as part of revenue strategy
- You are data‑driven and use metrics to guide forecasting, performance, and decision‑making
- You are able to build structure and process from the ground up without adding unnecessary complexity
- You thrive in environments where the product is innovative and requires educating the market
Where You'll Be
- This role is based in London
- We offer you the flexibility to work where you work best! There will be some in‑person meetings, but still allows for flexibility to work from home
- Extensive learning opportunities, through our dedicated team, GreenHouse.
- Flexible share incentives letting you choose how you share in our success.
- Global parental leave, six months off - for all new parents.
- All The Feels, our employee assistance program and self‑care hub.
- Flexible public holidays, swap days off according to your values and beliefs.
Director of Sales, Backstage in London employer: Spotify AB
Spotify is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. As the Director of Sales for Backstage, you'll lead a talented team in a flexible environment based in London, with extensive learning opportunities and a strong focus on employee growth. With unique benefits like global parental leave and flexible public holidays, Spotify prioritises the well-being and success of its employees, making it a truly rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Sales, Backstage in London
✨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 Director of Sales, Backstage at Spotify AB, 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 Spotify AB. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a Director of Sales, Backstage. Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Sales, Backstage in London
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 Spotify AB:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for Spotify AB. 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 Spotify AB
✨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 Spotify AB 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 Spotify AB 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 Spotify AB’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.
