Commercial Sales Director - Exhibitions and Sponsorhips

We Are Aspire; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading event management firm in London is seeking a Commercial Sales Event Director to lead the sales strategy for a flagship Pan-African defence and security exhibition. You will drive sales growth, build strategic partnerships, and oversee a high-performing sales team. Ideal candidates will have over 7 years of B2B sales experience and a strong network in the defence industry, with a competitive salary of £80,000 plus commission and benefits.

Benefits

Excellent benefits

International travel opportunities

Qualifications

• 7-10+ years of B2B sales experience, ideally within large-scale international exhibitions.
• Proven track record of exceeding commercial targets and growing revenues.
• Strong network within the African and global defence/security industries.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive sales strategy to achieve revenue targets.
• Drive exhibitor and sponsorship acquisition across various sectors.
• Build and manage strong relationships with key stakeholders.

Skills

B2B sales experience

Negotiation skills

Strategic leadership

Strong CRM skills

Education

Degree educated

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Overview

Commercial Sales Event 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.

We Are Aspire Ltd are a Disability Confident Commited employer