Head of Client Sales (Retail, Food and Drink)

The Telegraph; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a Head of Client Sales to lead commercial efforts in the retail, food, and drink sectors. This pivotal role focuses on building strategic partnerships with key marketing decision-makers, driving revenue growth through innovative digital and editorial solutions. The ideal candidate will have a robust network of senior-level contacts and a proven ability to leverage these relationships for business development. Join a fast-paced environment that values creativity and collaboration, where your contributions will significantly impact the company's growth strategy. If you're ready to make a difference, this is the opportunity for you.

Benefits

Flexible Working

Medical Cover

Parental Leave

Life Assurance

Season Ticket Loans

Qualifications

• Proven track record in developing and winning complex digital and partnership pitches.
• Strong client relationships with senior decision-makers in retail and food & drink sectors.

Responsibilities

• Own and grow direct client relationships within the food & drink vertical.
• Drive revenue by securing digital and editorially integrated partnerships.

Skills

Commercial Strategy

Client Relationship Management

Digital Marketing

Partnership Development

Strategic Thinking

Presentation Skills

Multitasking

Communication

Job description

Head of Client Sales (Retail, Food and Drink)

Join to apply for the Head of Client Sales (Retail, Food and Drink) role at The Telegraph.

As Head of Client Sales, you will be the lead commercial face of Telegraph Media Group (TMG) within the retail, food & drink category, driving revenue growth through direct relationships with key brand-side marketing decision-makers. Your priority will be to develop and grow long-term strategic partnerships with clients within the sector, delivering high-value digital and Editorially Integrated Partnerships (EIP).

This is a pivotal role, designed to deepen TMG's footprint in a crucial growth sector. Extensive senior-level contacts within the retail, food & drink sectors are essential, with a proven ability to leverage these relationships to generate new business. Our focus is on client-first relationship building, ensuring brand stakeholders see The Telegraph as a trusted partner in their marketing strategy. The ideal candidate will bring a pre-existing network of influential contacts, enabling them to hit the ground running and immediately cultivate high-value opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and grow direct client relationships within the food & drink vertical, focusing on brand-side senior decision-makers (up to CMO level).
• Leverage existing senior client relationships in retail, food & drink to open doors and drive new revenue for TMG.
• Drive revenue by securing digital and editorially integrated partnerships (EIP) through proactive client engagement and solution selling.
• Identify long-term opportunities by understanding clients' marketing priorities and shaping tailored, high-impact commercial responses.
• Collaborate internally with Digital, EIP, and Editorial teams to craft best-in-class partnership solutions and deliver gold-standard service.
• Share market insights to inform sector strategy, support trade marketing initiatives, and elevate TMG's visibility in the category.
• Act as a category champion, contributing to internal knowledge and helping to shape how TMG presents itself in the retail, food & drink space.

Requirements

• Strong commercial lead with a track record of developing and winning complex digital and partnership pitches.
• Established, senior-level client relationships within the retail, food & drink sector, ideally including CMOs, Marketing Directors, and other key brand decision-makers.
• Experience working with both clients and agencies, up to Business/Strategy Director and Client Partner level.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to understand broad business and marketing challenges and translate them into audience-relevant communications.
• Commercially minded, with the ability to identify high-value opportunities and develop compelling pitch strategies.
• Confident presenter with proven pitch experience to senior stakeholders.
• Strong multitasker, capable of managing multiple projects and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment. Comfortable leading and supporting as needed.
• Excellent communicator and collaborator, both internally and externally.

Benefits

The nature of our industry means life at the Telegraph Media Group is fast-paced, demanding, and interesting. We also want it to be rewarding by offering a suite of benefits that support lifestyle choices and leisure activities. From flexible working, medical cover, parental leave (including six months fully paid maternity leave and enhanced paternity/partner leave), to life assurance and season ticket loans, we provide options to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Training and Development

With support from your manager and colleagues, you'll have access to various training and development opportunities through The Academy, covering personal and professional skills to support a rewarding career.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

At Telegraph Media Group, we foster a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are committed to building a team that reflects a wide range of skills, perspectives, and backgrounds. We value equality of opportunity and welcome candidates from all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion, or belief.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you are disabled or have a long-term health condition and require support or reasonable adjustments during the application process, please let us know.

For more on our diversity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives, visit our website.