Have you spent the last few years in a scale-up where the owner carries the quota, manages everything, and the commercial operation never quite gets systematised?
If so, keep reading.
We have an exclusive opportunity with a profitable, fast-growing B2B services business looking for someone to take commercial ownership – and actually run the sales operation properly.
THE ROLE
80% hands-on sales. 20% building the strategy and team that makes it repeatable.
You'll:
- Own revenue accountability over 2 years (new business + renewals + expansion)
- Personally hunt and close high-value accounts (£25k+ typical deal size)
- Direct marketing strategy to drive qualified pipeline – you own what marketing does and how it feeds sales, not the other way around
- Build and manage a small sales team
- Own proposals, renewals, and client expansion
- Define the commercial strategy based on what actually sells
- Tell the founder where to focus (they're stepping into ambassador role)
- You carry quota. You close deals. You build the team. You're not managing from above.
✓ B2B Services selling experience – You've sold complex, relationship-driven deals
✓ B2B marketing acumen – You understand what actually works in B2B (and what doesn't)
✓ Proven sales team management – You've managed salespeople and set the bar
✓ Quota-carrying capability – Comfortable being accountable for revenue
✓ Founder-business experience – You understand speed, autonomy, less process
✓ Commercial toughness – You can say no to leadership and make hard calls
Sector experience is a plus – but not essential if you're a strong B2B operator.
WHAT THIS ISN'T
✗ Big corporate sales management (you'll find the lack of process frustrating)
✗ Strategy-only role (this is 80% doing, 20% planning)
✗ First-time management (you need to step in and immediately add value)
✗ A role where marketing runs the show (you do)
✗ Full remote (4-5 days on-site, flexible scheduling possible)
THE OPPORTUNITY
This is a 2-3 year build toward exit. The business is profitable, growing, and positioned for scale to £3m+. Equity/EMI options are on the table as the business approaches exit – you're not getting it today, but you're building toward it.
You'll work closely with the founder on strategy and major accounts, but you own the outcome. No micromanagement. Clear accountability. Real autonomy.
WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR
You've probably:
- Managed 2-5+ person sales teams in B2B services
- Carried 40-60% of your own quota (hands-on, not just management)
- Made B2B marketing work – you know the difference between vanity metrics and actual pipeline
- Built something from scratch (even if it was just a vertical or region)
- Been frustrated by big-company bureaucracy
- Wanted autonomy and the chance to actually run something
We're a specialist recruitment consultancy with an exclusive mandate on this role. We're not circulating widely – this is a confidential, targeted search for the right person.
If you're a proven B2B sales leader who's managed teams, understands what makes B2B marketing work, and wants to own something real, get in touch.
Contact Emma Baylis NOW at Select Recruitment.