At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sales and customer operations, driving performance and managing a dynamic team.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company with direct access to the Chief Executive.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for career advancement.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to shape operations and drive growth in a vibrant environment.
- Why this job: Step up your career and make a real impact in a pivotal role.
- Qualifications: Degree educated with proven experience in sales or customer service management.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Great opportunity for a Head of Sales & Operations. We would love to hear from you if you are someone with a strong record as a manager or assistant manager who is ready for the next level. What you would get is a real operation to run, manage and a team beneath you, direct access to the Chief Executive, and for the right person a path to becoming his number two.
The Job:
- Own the performance of sales and customer operations across the trade: conversion, average booking value, service standards, review scores and contacts per booking.
- Lead the Customer Operations Manager rather than around them - set the objectives, hold the standard, and let them run the day-to-day.
- Make sure the team is resourced against real demand across the season, and say early when it is not.
- Take ownership of the operational decisions that currently reach the Chief Executive, and make them.
- Own the conversion of every enquiry that reaches a person, and the plan for improving it.
- Raise average booking value through better consultative selling, not discounting.
- Grow our travel trade channel from a standing start to a meaningful share of sales, and own the relationships that come with it.
- Represent sales and operations at the weekly business review - the numbers, what sits behind them, and what you are doing about them.
- Deputise for the Chief Executive on operational matters in their absence, and increasingly by design rather than only by absence.
- Contribute to planning and budgeting for your part of the business, and be accountable for delivering against it.
- Work with the technology team on what to build or automate next, with the evidence for why.
- Protect our service reputation we compete on it, and review scores are a company-level measure.
- Be the final point of escalation below the Chief Executive: the person who takes the difficult complaint and resolves it well.
- Hold the relationships that bring customers back, and treat the repeat rate as a number you own.
- Handle supplier failures and itinerary changes with judgement, speed and a clear head about cost.
What We're Looking For:
- Educated to degree level or equivalent.
- Several years in sales or customer service, including a good period at manager or assistant manager level, with a genuine record of running a team and improving how it performs - we will want to talk about specific numbers.
- Ready for the step up: this should be a bigger job than your last one, and you should want it to be.
- Commercially literate - comfortable with conversion, average booking value, margin and cost of sale, and able to see what is really driving a number.
- Numerate and evidence led. You will be asked how you know, and 'it feels like it' is not an answer.
- Able to lead through another manager without either abandoning them or doing their job for them.
The Package:
- London based Hybrid.
- Salary £50,000 - £60,000.
Head of Sales & Operations in London employer: Travel Trade Recruitment
Join a dynamic team as a Systems Operations Manager in our London office, where you will thrive in a data-driven environment that values structured thinking and innovation. We offer a hybrid working model, competitive salary, and generous holiday allowance, alongside opportunities for personal and professional growth within a supportive culture that encourages ownership and accountability. With a focus on employee development and a commitment to excellence, we empower our team to make meaningful contributions to the customer experience and drive the success of our operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Sales & Operations 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 Head of Sales & Operations at Travel Trade Recruitment, 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 Travel Trade Recruitment. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a Head of Sales & Operations. Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Sales & Operations 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 Travel Trade Recruitment:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for Travel Trade Recruitment. 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 Travel Trade Recruitment
✨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 Travel Trade Recruitment 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 Travel Trade Recruitment 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 Travel Trade Recruitment’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.
