Associate Director of Sales

TPP Recruitment; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading workforce development agency in the UK is looking for an Associate Director of Sales to lead a national sales team. You will drive partnerships, manage senior relationships, and coach a high-performing sales team. This role offers a salary between £75,150-79,100 per annum, with flexible hybrid working arrangements and requires national travel. Ideal candidates will have senior leadership experience in B2B sales or partnerships, particularly within the education sector, and possess excellent communication and coaching skills.

Qualifications

• Experience in partnerships and commercial development within education.
• Capacity to build and lead high‑performing sales teams.
• Skilled in pipeline management and CRM.

Responsibilities

• Lead the B2B sales strategy.
• Manage senior, high-value relationships.
• Coach and mentor a high‑performing sales team.

Skills

Senior leadership experience in B2B sales

Understanding of Further Education landscape

Consultative selling

Team leadership

Strong communication skills

Job description

What could you achieve if you led a national sales team where every partnership directly fuels positive change in education?

TPP Recruitment is partnering with the workforce development body for the Further Education and Training sector to appoint an Associate Director of Sales. This is a pivotal position: you'll set direction and lead from the front with senior customers.

Salary: £75,150-79,100 per annum, depending on experience
Employment type: Permanent
Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week
Working arrangements: Hybrid with national travel; typically, around three days per week with customers/prospects or in the office (London), with flexibility required
Start date: ASAP

About the Organisation

This organisation is the workforce development body for the Further Education and Training sector, working in partnership with others to deliver professional learning and development for teachers, trainers and leaders. Their mission is to improve education and training for learners aged 14 and over, supporting lifelong learning and social justice. The organisation is proud to foster a culture where everyone can thrive, guided by values and a commitment to sustainable practice.

About the Role

As Associate Director of Sales, you will lead regional and central teams that generate income through membership subscriptions and associated services, building long‑term, solution‑led partnerships with colleges, training providers, and adult education organisations. You'll be outward-facing, developing senior relationships with Principals, Vice Principals and HR/People Directors, while coaching your team, improving sales operations, and enhancing the customer experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the B2B sales strategy to grow partnership, leadership development and learning offers
• Personally manage senior, high-value relationships and open doors at executive level
• Model consultative, solution‑led selling; tell compelling stories that bring value to life
• Align sales activity with marketing and product to deliver a seamless customer journey
• Strengthen customer success and regional engagement to ensure measurable impact and renewals
• Mature sales operations (pipeline, forecasting, performance reviews and dashboards)
• Embed effective use of customer relationship management systems and data insight
• Lead, coach and mentor a small, high‑performing sales and customer success team

Skills / Experience Required

• Senior leadership experience in B2B sales, partnerships, or commercial development, ideally within the education, learning, or professional membership sector
• Deep understanding of the Further Education and skills landscape, including workforce challenges and sector priorities
• Demonstrable success in consultative, solution‑based selling to senior leaders in colleges, training providers, or adult education organisations
• Experience designing and delivering people‑focused solutions such as membership, CPD, or leadership development offers
• Proven ability to build and lead high‑performing sales teams, with a collaborative and coaching approach
• Skilled in pipeline management, forecasting, and performance accountability, with strong CRM and data insight capabilities
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills, able to engage credibly with education sector stakeholders
• Motivated by social purpose and sector impact; outward‑facing and relationship‑driven

Interview Process

• Screening and informal chats (pre‑Christmas) coordinated by TPP Recruitment
• Final interviews mid‑January 2026 (in‑person) with senior leaders at the organisation
  • Assessment task included in the invitation to interview

To Apply

• Supporting statement (no more than 2 pages)
• CV

Thoughtful use of AI tools is acceptable; we also want to understand your voice, strengths and judgement through your statement.

Deadline

• Applications will be reviewed on receipt
  • Early applications (before Christmas) are encouraged to secure January interview slots.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.