Executive Sales Director – Europe

Quacquarelli Symonds Limited; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading higher education services company is seeking an Executive Director for Europe to drive commercial growth and client engagement. This pivotal leadership role manages the account management functions and spearheads new business acquisition. The ideal candidate has significant experience in commercial leadership, fluency in English, and a strong presence in the higher education landscape. Competitive salary with a hybrid working model offered.

Benefits

Competitive base salary

Access to an annual bonus scheme

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Generous pension plan

Private medical insurance

Qualifications

• Significant experience in senior commercial leadership, ideally within higher education or B2B sectors.
• Proven track record of managing integrated sales and account management teams with annual revenue responsibility of £15m+.
• Fluent in English; additional European languages preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead QS’s commercial growth strategy and client engagement across the European region.
• Own the Account Management organisation across Europe, ensuring strong renewal performance.
• Lead new business acquisition across all segments.

Skills

Senior commercial leadership

Client relationship management

Strategic planning

Sales forecasting

CRM management

Education

Degree qualified

Postgraduate business qualification (MBA or equivalent) desirable

Tools

HubSpot

Job description

Executive Director - Europe

Location: London, UK

Business unit: Commercial

Job type: Full time, permanent

Working arrangement: Hybrid

This position offers a hybrid work model, allowing flexibility between working from home and our office.

Typically, employees are expected to work 2 days in the office per week.

Why QS?

At QS, we believe that work should empower you. That’s why we foster a flexible working environment that encourages every employee to own their career whilst flourishing personally and professionally. Our company values underpin everything we do – we collaborate, respect and support each other.

It’s our mission to empower motivated people around the world to fulfil their potential through higher education, ensuring that everyone has access to opportunities that change lives.

Our diversity makes us stronger. By sharing our experiences, we learn from one another and achieve more together, driving progress across the sector.

At QS, you’ll be responsible for implementing real change in the international higher education landscape. You’ll take on meaningful challenges that see a positive impact across the business and the wider sector.

We’re confident you’ll feel right at home here. QS was named as one of Newsweek’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces® in the UK (October 2023), recognising the respect, trust and appreciation that drive our culture every day. And as a gold-accredited Investors in People organisation – putting us among the top 28% of workplaces globally – it’s official: QS is a place where everyone can thrive.

The role

The Executive Director – Europe, will lead QS’s commercial growth strategy and client engagement across the European region, with full ownership of both the New Business and Account Management functions.

This is a pivotal leadership role within QS’s global commercial organisation, responsible for driving regional revenue growth, deepening client relationships, and ensuring that universities and partners across Europe experience the full value of QS’s portfolio - including rankings, digital and branding solutions, analytics, events, and student recruitment services.

As part of the Global Commercial Leadership Team, the Executive Director will champion a culture of commercial excellence, collaboration, and accountability, ensuring the European region consistently delivers against its growth and retention objectives.

Role responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Growth

• Define and deliver the regional commercial strategy aligned to QS’s global 5-year growth plan.
• Lead go-to-market planning across all QS product lines, integrating acquisition, retention, and expansion strategies.
• Deliver accurate forecasting, pipeline management, and performance tracking through HubSpot and Sales Operations.
• Identify market opportunities, sector trends, and client needs to inform product development and regional focus.

Account Management & Client Retention

• Own the Account Management organisation across Europe, ensuring strong renewal performance, retention, and multi-product expansion.
• Develop strategic account plans for key institutions and government partners, focusing on long-term value creation.
• Oversee client engagement strategies to strengthen satisfaction, advocacy, and measurable impact.
• Collaborate with global Delivery and Marketing teams to ensure seamless service and results-driven outcomes.

New Business & Pipeline Development

• Lead new business acquisition across all segments, from flagship universities to private and government stakeholders.
• Drive regional pipeline generation and coverage, ensuring consistency with QS’s growth ratios and forecasting standards.
• Foster a high-performance sales culture grounded in professionalism, transparency, and integrity.

Leadership & People Development

• Inspire and lead a diverse, high-performing team across multiple European markets.
• Embed the QS Sales Charter principles across the team — accurate forecasting, pipeline hygiene, single-quote discipline, and client-first behaviours.
• Partner closely with Sales Operations, Inside Sales, and Marketing to enhance commercial effectiveness.
• Mentor future commercial leaders, ensuring succession readiness and professional development.

Commercial Governance & Collaboration

• Oversee regional commercial governance — pricing, contracting, and margin management.
• Align with Product, Marketing, and Data & Insights teams to develop propositions that meet evolving market demand.
• Represent QS at major regional summits, conferences, and client engagements as a senior brand ambassador.
• Provide market intelligence and competitor insight to inform strategic decision-making.
• Any other duties that fall within the purpose and scope of the role.

Key skills and experience

• Significant experience in senior commercial leadership, ideally within higher education, digital services, data, or B2B sectors.
• Proven track record of managing integrated sales and account management teams with annual revenue responsibility of £15m+.
• Deep understanding of the European higher education landscape and internationalisation trends.
• Demonstrated ability to drive profitable growth, improve retention, and strengthen client satisfaction.
• Experienced in CRM management (HubSpot preferred) and data-driven sales forecasting.
• Strong executive presence, communication, and influencing skills.
• Degree qualified; postgraduate business qualification (MBA or equivalent) desirable.
• Fluency in English required; additional European language(s) preferred.

Key Attributes

• Strategic & Commercial: Balances growth ambition with disciplined execution and profitability.
• Client-Centric: Builds trusted partnerships based on value, outcomes, and long-term impact.
• Collaborative: Creates alignment and shared purpose across teams and geographies.
• Results-Driven: Sets high standards and delivers measurable, consistent performance.
• Innovative & Adaptive: Embraces digital transformation and AI-enabled tools to drive commercial excellence.

Please note, if you don't meet all the criteria but believe you have the skills and passion to thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply.

So, who are we and what do we do?

QS is the world leader in higher education services, analytics, insights and intelligence. From consultancy to student mobility, academic partnerships to branding solutions, our services power both institutional and individual success.

We’re behind the world’s most widely read university rankings (Meltwater 2023). Our QS World University Rankings® reach hundreds of millions, shaping decisions and guiding futures.

Since launching in 1990, our impact and influence have only grown. Today, we work with more than 2,000 of the world’s leading higher education institutions, over 12,000 employers, and governments seeking change and socioeconomic development through higher education.

Join QS and you’ll join an 800-strong community of problem-solvers, creators, collaborators and change-makers based in 40+ countries and 11 international offices, including Australia, Malaysia, India, Romania, Singapore, France, Germany, the USA and our headquarters in London.

With every talented new hire, business acquisition and bold initiative, we’re strengthening our reach and delivering even greater value to institutions and learners worldwide. Are you ready to shape the future of higher education?

We take investing in our people very seriously.

Benefits

As standard you will have:

• Competitive base salary
• Access to an annual bonus scheme (for qualifying roles only)
• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays – increasing to 27 days after 5 years’
• Access to a Buy Holiday scheme allowing you to buy up to 5 additional holiday days per year
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Generous pension through Royal London
• Comprehensive private medical insurance and wellness scheme through Vitality
• Access to QSmiles – a discount scheme that actually makes a significant difference
• Cycle to work scheme
• A vibrant social environment and multicultural and multinational culture

But that’s not all. Outside of these standard benefits we also offer resources to allow professional growth and wellness initiatives to nurture a healthy mindset:

• Free subscription to the Calm App – the #1 app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation
• A focus on welfare which is led by our global wellness team, with mental health first aiders globally
• Access to a variety of diversity and inclusion initiatives and groups
• Strong recognition and reward programs – including a peer-to-peer recognition platform, quarterly and annual QS Applaud Awards, Connect with your Career annual PD event
• Support for volunteering and study leave
• Free subscription to LinkedIn learning – with over 5000 courses and programmes at your fingertips
• Options to join our outstanding global Mentorship programme

Like what you’ve heard? Great, apply now!

As a candidate, we know the application and interview process can be daunting and so it’s important that you have a great experience with us. Our dedicated Talent Team will work hard to ensure you are fully informed at all stages and you are really excited by this opportunity to do meaningful work in the education space.

Equal opportunities

QS Quacquarelli Symonds is proud to be a fair and equal organisation where everyone has the same opportunity to achieve their full potential, irrespective of their background or personal attributes. We celebrate our diversity and believe through sharing our experiences we can learn from one another, be stronger together, and enable our business to thrive.

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