Sales Manager
£55,000 - £65,000 OTE Uncapped (£35,000 - £45,000 Base DOE) + Car allowance
Business overview & position
Are you a driven and experienced sales professional looking for a unique opportunity to shape the future of a growing creative agency? Celebrating our 12th year in business, GEL Studios is a purpose-led, B Corp certified agency based in Swindon, Wiltshire, and we're ready to embark on an ambitious growth plan for the next 3-5 years and beyond. This is where you come in.
As our first dedicated sales hire, you'll have a blank slate to build and define our sales function, making this a truly exciting chance to leave your mark. While some account management will be involved, your primary focus will be new business development. You'll be supported by our marketing team, but you'll need to be a self-starter, comfortable taking initiative and developing your own strategies.
We envision this role evolving into leadership of a sales team, potentially including account managers and business development roles – a structure you'll help us define as we grow. Crucially, we're looking for someone who thrives on understanding client needs and selling entire solutions, not just individual products or services.
You'll be experienced in engaging with senior and Director-level contacts, and importantly, you'll be inspired by our commitment to positive impact within the local community, our people, and the environment. If you're motivated by the potential for collective change and eager to build something from the ground up, we want to hear from you.
Key responsibilities
* Own and manage the entire business development pipeline, from lead generation to deal closing.
* Identify and qualify new prospects and target accounts that align with the agency’s growth strategy.
* Lead contract negotiations and renewals, aiming to maximise value for both the client and the agency.
* Develop and execute outreach strategies with the assistance of the internal marketing team to engage potential clients and move them through the sales funnel.
* Manage the preparation, presentation, and follow-up for new business pitches and proposals.
* Work closely with our marketing team to evolve our business materials, presentations, and pitch decks where needed to support client acquisition.
* Work with our internal marketing team to coordinate the planning and execution of events (digital and in-person) to engage prospects, elevate the agency’s profile, and drive suspects down the funnel.
* Build and maintain strong relationships with prospective clients, understanding their needs and positioning the agency’s service offering effectively.
* Track and report on all pipeline activity, including lead generation, conversion rates, and overall business development performance.
* Provide insights to the internal team on client needs and market trends to help shape our service offering.
Qualifications & Experience
* Proven track record in a new business development role within a creative agency, marketing firm, or similar environment selling solutions, not individual services.
* Strong understanding of the sales pipeline, with the ability to manage multiple prospects and close deals efficiently.
* Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with experience in crafting compelling/influential pitches and business proposals aimed at senior/Director level.
* Ability to work collaboratively with marketing teams to create effective business development materials.
* Proven track record of managing key customer relationships and successfully obtaining, retaining and growing accounts.
* Experience working in an earlier stage organisation where you can show how you have succeeded in sales and directly contributed towards growth.
* Strong analytical skills to track pipeline metrics and report on performance.
* High level of energy, ambition, and drive, with a focus on achieving results and contributing to the agency’s growth.
* A passion for creativity, innovation, delivering top-tier client solutions, and using business as a force for good.
Interview format
First will be a video call with the Managing Director/Founder and a member of the team. Second, will be a more traditional face-to-face interview based at our Swindon office with the Managing Director/Founder and Non Executive Director. It will include a pitch based upon a scenario we will provide in advance.
Why work for us?
* Competitive salary and OTE earnings uncapped, (£35,000 - £45,000 base DOE) £55,000 - £65,000 OTE uncapped.
* Car allowance after probation.
* B-Corp agency with a focus on doing good.
* 30 days base holiday, rising a day per year of service (max 8 additional days).
* A creative and best in class working environment with hybrid working available.
* Comprehensive benefits package including AXA health insurance and AVIVA pension plan.
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