A sales director is responsible for achieving and exceeding sales targets within assigned territory and accounts. The overall goal is to meet revenue growth projects for a business. The job includes developing strong client relationships and understanding customer trends in the relevant area.
What does a sales director do?
The main job responsibilities for a sales director include:
- Managing and overseeing senior management and their teams with regards to sales strategies and growth objectives
- Achieving sales targets
- Developing and executing strategical plans to achieve desired growth and expand customer base
- Build and maintain strong, long-lasting customer relationships, likely with business owners at this level
- Reporting on forces that shift tactical budgets and strategic direction of accounts
- Effectively communicate the vision and direction of the organisation to all relevant staff through proposals and presentations
What skills are needed to be a successful sales director?
To become a successful sales director, you’ll ideally have built up the following skills from your years of experience working in sales:
- Excellent persuasive and negotiation skills
- Excellent understanding of how to run a business
- Be a key motivator and leader
- Initiative, drive and enthusiasm
- Excellent communication skills
- Organisational and planning skills
- Be able to work under pressure
- Good IT, budget and report writing skills
- A full driving licence
What qualifications do I need to become a sales director?
Although most individuals at this level have a degree, if you have years of experience in sales, a proven track record of success in building revenue and growth, and can display excellent leadership skills, becoming a sales director is achievable. Other qualifications might include:
- BA/BS degree or equivalent
- Proven sales executive, manager or sales and marketing director experience
- Proven ability to communicate, present and influence all levels of the organisation including executive and C-level
- Proven ability to drive a sales process from plan to close
- Proven ability to articulate distinct aspects of products and services
- Proven ability to position products against competitors
- Experience as head of sales, developing client-focused, differentiated and achievable solutions
- Professional certifications in Strategic Sales, Account Management and Sales Management
Is a sales director role the right move for me?
If the below sounds like you, a career as a sales director could be for you:
- Managing stress
- Good people skills
- Committed to continuous development attending professional workshops, industry events, certification courses, and reviewing professional publications
- Expert in your industry
- You love working with numbers
- You enjoy negotiating and can do it well
- You are a good mentor and coach to others
- You have the ability to effectively and proactively assess and discipline employees when they fail
- You enjoy travelling a lot for work
Read this blog to find out about a day in a sales director’s shoes.
What are the working conditions for a sales director?
As a director, you will likely be in and out of the office attending events, travelling to meet with clients, and visiting other branches/companies within your district. So if you enjoy not being tied to your desk and having lots of face time with people, then working as a sales director could suit you well.
What is the average salary for a sales director?
According to our most recent data in 2018, the average salary for a sales director was £69,259.95. This figure showed a 3.68% increase from the data collected from the Simply Sales Jobs site in 2017.
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