Sales Director in St Albans

This is a Sales Director opportunity with a UK market leading, design led, specialist subcontractor. A business with over 60 years of heritage, employee-owned, working on some of the most architecturally significant buildings in the country. A business with genuine values, a board that leads with integrity and a clear ambition to grow. And a sales function that is ready to be transformed by the right leader.

If you are a commercially sharp, people-first sales leader who wants to make a real and visible impact in a business that genuinely cares about its work, its people and its buildings, read on.

The Business

With roots going back to 1966, this business has spent six decades becoming the most technically capable specialist subcontractor in the UK. It designs, manufactures and installs its own products, working with architects, conservation officers, acousticians, heritage advisors, energy consultants and security specialists on projects ranging from private homes to some of the UK's most celebrated and protected buildings.

A few years ago the business transitioned to an Employee Ownership Trust. That is not a footnote. It shapes how decisions are made, how people are treated and why the culture here is genuinely different from most businesses of this size. The board are values-driven, purposeful and collaborative and they expect the same from everyone who joins them.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will take full ownership of the commercial function. That means the strategy, the team, the culture, the pipeline, the processes and the results.

In practice, that means:

• Building and owning a credible, board-aligned commercial growth strategy and delivering against it
• Transforming a talented team from an inbound-focused mindset to a proactive, business-development-led culture
• Embedding clarity, accountability and a strong coaching culture from day one
• Leading the introduction and adoption of a new CRM system and driving strong data discipline across the team
• Representing the company at high profile events, delivering talks and presentations
• Getting personally involved in high-value, complex project pursuits alongside the team
• Building high-profile relationships across architecture, heritage, healthcare, education and the commercial sector
• Driving specification pull-through, repeat business and new sector growth
• Working closely with marketing, operations, production and technical teams to deliver a unified proposition
• Representing the sales function at board level with clarity and commercial credibility

What We Are Looking For

You will need to bring:

• Director or senior sales leadership experience with a clear track record of transforming teams, not just managing them
• A background in construction product sales, engineered building systems or other technically complex, specification-led B2B markets. Strong candidates from adjacent sectors where the selling environment is similarly complex and relationship-led will also be considered
• Real commercial depth: pricing strategy, multi-stakeholder negotiation, disciplined opportunity qualification and evidence-based forecasting
• Confidence using CRM and sales technology as genuine strategic tools rather than reporting systems
• The ability to develop deep product knowledge quickly and become technically credible with architects, heritage specialists and engineers
• Strong communication and influencing skills with both technical and non-technical audiences

It would also be helpful if you have:

• Familiarity with building regulations, heritage environments or listed building requirements
• Experience with specification intelligence tools such as NBS
• Degree in Business, Sales, Marketing or a related field

The Kind of Person

Experience and capability will get you to the shortlist. Values and personality will determine whether this is the right fit.

This business is looking for someone who is genuinely curious about the buildings they will be working on. Someone who finds real satisfaction in the idea of making a historically protected building warmer, quieter and safer without compromising its character. Someone who cares about sustainability as a personal conviction rather than a professional talking point.

You will be collaborative rather than territorial. Calm rather than reactive. Honest rather than political. You will be energised by the pace and visibility that comes with a smaller, agile business where good decisions happen quickly and where your contribution is seen and valued every day.

The board leads with integrity and they need a Sales Director who does the same.

The Package

Base salary £100,000 to £120,000 per annum

• 2% Deferred Incentive Scheme, commencing following January and payable in March. OTE up to £45,000 based on 2023 to 2025 performance figures
• Employee Ownership profit share: paid annually each January to all employees following six months of service. This is profit-dependent and will vary year to year
• Private healthcare including partner cover (currently WPA)
• Pension: 7.5% employer contribution, matched
• Life assurance: 4x annual salary
• Executive electric vehicle
• Flexible working features

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

This business is committed to a workplace where every person is valued, respected and supported to grow. That commitment is built into its core values of Fairness, Respect and Support.

Applications are warmly welcomed from candidates of all backgrounds and communities. If you do not feel you meet every requirement listed here but believe this is the right role for you, please do apply. We are committed to a fair and inclusive recruitment process.

How to Apply

This appointment is being managed exclusively on a retained basis. Please apply via this listing only.

To have a confidential conversation before applying, or to find out more about the role and the business, please contact the consultant managing this search directly via LinkedIn message or the contact details in this listing.

NB: I AM ON HOLIDAY FROM THE 12TH OF JUNE TO THE 22ND JUNE, I WONT BE RESPONDING TO APPLICANTS IN THAT TIME. SO DONT WORRY THAT YOU HAVENT HEARD ANYTHING I WILL BE IN TOUCH UPON MY RETURN.

Please do not approach the business directly. Any unsolicited agency approaches to the client will be treated as an introduction made under the terms of this retained search.