At a Glance
- Tasks: Generate leads, research growth opportunities, and communicate WGSN's value to clients.
- Company: Join WGSN, the global leader in consumer trend forecasting.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, flexible benefits, and great learning opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Kickstart your sales career in a fast-paced, creative environment.
- Qualifications: Fluency in French and English, passion for sales, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are looking to hire a Business Development Associate to join our Sales team in London. Fluency in French is required.
Working at WGSN, we create tomorrow. A career with WGSN is fast-paced, exciting and full of opportunities to grow and develop. We're a team of consumer and design trend forecasters, content creators, designers, data analysts, advisory consultants and much more, united by a common goal: to create tomorrow. WGSN's trusted consumer and design forecasts power outstanding product design, enabling our customers to create a better future. Our services cover consumer insights, beauty, consumer tech, fashion, interiors, lifestyle, food and drink forecasting, data analytics and expert advisory.
WGSN is looking for a driven, curious, and self-motivated Business Development Associate to join our dynamic EMEA New Business team. This is a unique opportunity to kickstart or elevate your sales career with the world’s leading consumer trend forecasting company, helping global brands stay ahead of what's next. In this high-volume sales role, you’ll be at the forefront of our growth engine, reaching out to prospective clients, sparking meaningful conversations, and driving new business opportunities across different markets and verticals. If you're fluent in French, love the idea of turning insight into opportunity, and are looking to build a career in sales as part of a fast-paced, collaborative team, we want to hear from you.
At WGSN, we have high-performing sales teams made up of Client Services Coordinators, Business Development Associates, Business Development Managers, and Account Managers who have worked incredibly hard over the past year to achieve outstanding results. Our teams are diverse, tenacious, resilient, and extremely dedicated because they truly believe in the value WGSN services bring to our global clientele who operate in Fashion, Beauty, Interiors, Food & Drink and Consumer Tech. We never compromise on collaboration, which allows us to have a strong team dynamic. From Start-Ups to Fortune 500 companies; WGSN supplies specialised intelligence to the most valuable brands in Fashion, Beauty, Food & Drink, Interiors and Consumer Tech, allowing these brands to produce outstanding products that consumers will demand for years to come.
Key accountabilities:
- Generate outbound leads via email, social outreach, and high-volume cold calling.
- Research and identify strategic growth opportunities within key industries and markets.
- Qualify inbound and marketing-generated leads, and book discovery calls for Business Development Managers.
- Effectively communicate WGSN’s value proposition to a wide range of professionals, from creatives to C-suite.
- Help build and maintain a robust pipeline to support the wider sales team’s ambitious goals.
- Collaborate with Business Development Managers to ensure seamless lead hand-off and follow-up.
- Track and optimise outreach effectiveness through CRM and sales enablement tools.
- Meet and exceed key activity metrics — including outreach volume, meetings booked, and engagement conversion.
This list is not exhaustive and there may be other activities you are required to deliver.
Skills, experience & qualifications required:
- You’re fluent in French and English (essential).
- You’re passionate about sales and excited to build or continue your career in a fast-growth environment.
- You’re energised by hitting (and exceeding) targets and KPIs.
- You’re a confident communicator who enjoys talking to people and building relationships.
- You’re naturally curious about trends, industries, people, and business challenges.
- You’re organised, proactive, and thrive in a fast-paced, high-output team.
- You want to work in a creative, global company that is at the forefront of consumer insights.
- Bonus points if you have experience using Salesforce, Salesloft, or similar sales tools, and/or previous experience in a high-volume outbound sales environment.
What we offer:
- 25 days of holiday per year - with an option to buy/sell up to 5 days.
- Pension, Life Assurance and Income Protection.
- Flexible benefits platform with options including Private Medical, Dental Insurance & Critical Illness.
- Employee assistance programme, season ticket loans and cycle to work scheme.
- Volunteering opportunities and charitable giving options.
- Great learning and development opportunities.
WGSN is the global authority on consumer trend forecasting. We help brands around the world create the right products at the right time for tomorrow’s consumer.
Our values:
- We Are Everywhere: The future is everything, it happens everywhere.
- We Are Future Focused: We utilise our global resources and intelligence to research, source and analyse quantitative and qualitative data to produce our forecasts.
- We Are Rigorous: We source, review and assess quantitative and qualitative data to produce robust, actionable forecasts.
Our culture is inclusive, and we want our people to truly be themselves and thrive. We love having a diverse team of people who bring new ideas, different strengths and perspectives & reflect the global audience we work with.
We are committed to supporting the environment and sustainability, including ensuring our pension plan defaults to sustainable options and striving to be net zero by 2030. Recognising great performance is a key part of our culture. Our Awards schemes recognise and reward the brilliant achievements of our people. We offer a flexible working environment with a wide range of flexible, hybrid and agile working arrangements.
We want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to perform their best when interviewing, so if you require any reasonable adjustments that would make you more comfortable during the process, please let us know so that we can do our best to support you.
Business Development Associate, EMEA (French Speaking) in London employer: WGSN
WGSN is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic work environment in London, where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to lead best practices and mentor others while enjoying competitive benefits such as flexible working options and a robust learning culture. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and supports your career progression in a vibrant city.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Associate, EMEA (French Speaking) 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 Business Development Associate, EMEA (French Speaking) at WGSN, 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 WGSN. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a Business Development Associate, EMEA (French Speaking). Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Associate, EMEA (French Speaking) 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 WGSN:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for WGSN. 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 WGSN
✨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 WGSN 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 WGSN 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 WGSN’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.