Commercial Sales Director

Hubbul; City Of London; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international exhibition organizer in London is looking for a Sales Director to shape the commercial strategy for a flagship Pan-African defence and security event. The role involves driving sales, managing partnerships, and mentoring a sales team. Suitable candidates will have extensive B2B sales experience, preferably in large-scale exhibitions, and a strong network within the defence industries. This position offers a competitive salary of £80,000 plus commission and excellent benefits.

Benefits

Commission

Excellent benefits

International travel opportunities

Qualifications

• 7-10+ years of B2B sales experience in international exhibitions.
• Proven track record of exceeding commercial targets.
• Strong network within the defence/security industries.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive sales strategy.
• Drive exhibitor and sponsorship acquisition across sectors.
• Lead and mentor a high-performing sales team.

Skills

B2B sales experience

Strong communication and negotiation skills

Team management

CRM skills (Salesforce)

Education

Degree

Job description

Overview

Sales Director - Flagship International Exhibition, London | £80,000 + Commission + Excellent Benefits

I am recruiting on behalf of my client for an experienced Sales Director to lead the commercial strategy for a flagship Pan-African defence and security exhibition and conference.

This high-profile role is responsible for driving exhibitor and sponsorship sales, building strategic partnerships, and ensuring revenue growth across African and international markets. The successful candidate will play a critical role in delivering a world-class event that attracts government, military and industry stakeholders from across the globe.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive sales strategy to achieve revenue targets
• Drive exhibitor and sponsorship acquisition across defence, aerospace, security, and related sectors
• Build and manage strong relationships with defence contractors, government officials, international delegations, and trade associations
• Lead and mentor a small but high-performing sales team, monitoring performance and KPIs
• Collaborate with marketing, content, and operations teams to ensure consistent messaging and delivery
• Oversee international agents and country pavilions to maximise participation
• Monitor global defence market trends, identifying new opportunities for growth

About You

• 7-10+ years of B2B sales experience, ideally within large-scale international exhibitions (experience in defence, aerospace or security strongly preferred)
• Proven track record of exceeding commercial targets and growing revenues
• Strong network within the African and global defence/security industries (experience with events such as IDEX, AAD, DSEI is an advantage)
• Degree educated with excellent commercial and strategic leadership skills
• Confident communicator and negotiator with senior-level stakeholders
• Experience managing and motivating sales teams
• Comfortable working across diverse geographies and cultures
• Willingness to travel extensively across Africa and internationally
• Strong CRM skills (Salesforce desirable)

Package

• £80,000 base salary + commission
• Excellent benefits
• International travel opportunities

This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially astute sales leader who thrives on building global partnerships and delivering growth on a high-profile international stage.