Head of Sales Development

Validus Risk Management; City Of London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading advisory firm in the UK is seeking a Sales Development Leader to build and scale their inside sales function. The role involves generating new business, creating playbooks, and hiring a high-performing team. Ideal candidates should have a strong B2B sales background with experience in building sales teams and processes. Competitive compensation and benefits including healthcare and financial support for qualifications are offered.

Benefits

Company bonus scheme

Enhanced Health Insurance

Financial support towards qualifications

Pension

Qualifications

• Proven track record in outbound B2B sales development.
• Experience building SDR teams and processes.
• Strong individual contributor skills in cold outreach.

Responsibilities

• Generate qualified meetings with senior decision-makers.
• Develop the SDR/BDR playbook and implement the sales tech stack.
• Recruit and manage a team of SDRs/BDRs.

Skills

Outbound B2B sales development

Building SDR teams

Cold outreach and multi-channel prospecting

Modern sales tools expertise

Data-driven mindset

Exceptional communication skills

Adaptability in high-growth environments

Tools

HubSpot

LinkedIn Sales Navigator

Salesloft

Outreach

Clay

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a proven sales development leader to build, lead, and scale our inside sales function. In the first phase, you will act as both independent contributor and architect—personally generating new meetings, refining our outreach messaging, and creating the SDR playbook. You will assess and select the right tech stack, define KPIs, and put the processes in place to ensure repeatable success.

Once the foundation is set, you will transition into a player/coach role, hiring, onboarding, and developing a high-performing team of BDRs/SDRs to drive top-of-funnel growth globally.

Key Responsibilities

Phase 1 – Build & Execute (Months 0–6)

• Personally prospect and generate qualified meetings with senior decision-makers at target accounts.
• Develop and document the SDR/BDR playbook, including messaging frameworks, call/email cadences, and objection handling.
• Identify, evaluate, and implement the optimal sales tech stack (sequencing tools, intent data, enrichment, analytics).
• Collaborate with Marketing to align campaigns, messaging, and ABM targeting for maximum pipeline impact.
• Develop lead qualification criteria and handoff process to the senior sales team.

Phase 2 – Lead & Scale (Months 6+)

• Recruit, onboard, and manage a team of SDRs/BDRs, setting clear performance metrics and career development plans.
• Monitor and optimize team performance through regular coaching, training, and data-driven insights.
• Drive continuous improvement in outreach strategies, leveraging A/B testing and new channels.
• Provide regular reporting and insights to senior leadership on pipeline health and conversion rates.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in outbound B2B sales development, ideally selling to senior executives in financial services, private equity, or other complex industries.
• Experience building SDR teams and processes from the ground up—including playbooks, hiring, and training.
• Strong individual contributor skills in cold outreach, multi-channel prospecting, and deal origination.
• Expertise with modern sales tools (e.g., Clay, HubSpot, Outreach, Salesloft, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, intent data platforms).
• Data-driven mindset with the ability to track, analyze, and optimize conversion metrics.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable working in a high-growth, entrepreneurial environment where priorities can evolve quickly.

Compensation and Benefits

• Eligible for company bonus scheme
• Enhanced Health Insurance with Dental, Optical and Mental health benefits
• Financial support towards qualifications
• Pension

About the Company

Validus Risk Management is an independent technology-enabled advisory firm specialising in the management of FX, interest rate and other market risks. We work with institutional investors, fund managers, and portfolio companies to design and implement strategies to measure, manage and monitor financial market risk, using a market-tested combination of specialist consulting services, trade execution and innovative risk technology.

Working at Validus can offer an exciting opportunity for both personal development and professional growth. Share in our mission to become the largest and most respected specialist provider of financial market risk services in the world. Notable benefits include a competitive remuneration package (salary + bonus), health care, retirement plans, and financial support towards professional qualifications.

Core Values

• Accountability – Getting it done and owning the result.
• Teamwork – We succeed by helping others succeed.
• Integrity – We serve our clients; the responsibility is sacrosanct.
• Diversity – Diversity boosts creativity – creativity is our edge.
• Kaizen – Strive to do things better. Innovation kills complacency.

Validus is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

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