At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to drive new business growth across EMEA.
- Company: Join WGSN, the global leader in consumer trend forecasting.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible benefits, 25 days holiday, and great learning opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with a commitment to sustainability and diverse perspectives.
- Why this job: Shape the future of brands while leading a high-performance sales culture.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in sales with a focus on SaaS or tech industries.
The predicted salary is between 56250 - 68750 £ per year.
WGSN is the global authority on consumer and trend forecasting. We help the world's leading brands create the right products, experiences and strategies for tomorrow's consumer, powering decision-making across fashion, beauty, consumer tech, interiors, food & drink and lifestyle. We're hiring a Sales Manager to lead our SMB & Mid-Market New Business team across EMEA.
You'll own an 8-person team of Business Development Managers and a £3.5m new business target, reporting to the Head of New Business. You'll combine commercial leadership, operational rigour and coaching to build a high-performance sales culture where data drives decisions and process drives scale. This role comes at a pivotal point for the team, with real scope to shape process, culture and go-to-market strategy across the region.
What You'll Do
- Own and deliver a £3.5m annual new business target across SMB and Mid-Market segments in EMEA
- Lead, coach and develop a team of 8 Business Development Managers across multiple EMEA markets
- Build accurate forecasts and drive predictable pipeline generation across the team
- Embed best-practice sales methodology across prospecting, qualification, discovery, negotiation and closing
- Drive operational rigour around forecasting, pipeline management and CRM hygiene
- Partner with senior commercial leaders to define and execute regional growth strategies
Requirements
- Proven experience leading high-performing new business sales teams in SaaS, subscription, technology, data, research or insight-led businesses
- Track record of consistently achieving and exceeding team revenue targets
- Experience managing teams in highly KPI-driven, performance-focused environments
- Strong forecasting, pipeline management and sales operations capability
- Demonstrated ability to coach sales professionals through complex commercial sales cycles
Nice to Have
- Familiarity with structured sales methodologies such as MEDDIC
- Experience selling into or leading teams across fashion, beauty, consumer tech, interiors or lifestyle sectors
- Experience leading teams across multiple EMEA markets or time zones
We'd also love to hear from senior individual contributors who haven't formally managed a team yet but can clearly demonstrate management potential — strong commercial acumen, sales methodology expertise, and a track record of informally coaching or mentoring peers.
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.
Our culture
An inclusive culture is one of our key priorities. 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. Conversations about flexible working have always been—and will continue to be—actively encouraged here, but we do not offer full remote working.
A Note for Applicants: We use AI to help our team screen applications and identify candidates whose skills and experience match the role. This technology removes personal information to promote a fair and unbiased process. We believe this tool helps us find the best talent while maintaining transparency and fairness.
A Note for Recruiters: Thank you so much for your interest in working with us at WGSN! Our internal Talent Acquisition team takes care of all our recruitment efforts. When we need some extra help, we partner with agencies on our Preferred Supplier List (PSL) that truly understand our business, culture and ways of working together.
Head of New Business – SMB & Mid-Market, EMEA employer: WGSN
WGSN is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, empowering employees to thrive in their roles. With a strong focus on professional development, you will have access to extensive growth opportunities while working alongside a talented team in a vibrant EMEA location. Join us to lead innovative sales strategies and make a significant impact in the fast-paced world of SaaS.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of New Business – SMB & Mid-Market, EMEA
✨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 New Business – SMB & Mid-Market, EMEA 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 Head of New Business – SMB & Mid-Market, EMEA. Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of New Business – SMB & Mid-Market, EMEA
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.
