Sales Director

Influx Search; Leeds; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering company in the UK is looking for a Sales Director to spearhead its water and utilities business. This pivotal role involves developing a growth strategy, acquiring new projects, and establishing key relationships in the UK water sector. The ideal candidate will possess extensive commercial leadership experience, particularly within UK water utilities. This opportunity offers an influential position with an opportunity to shape the company's future in a rapidly evolving market.

Qualifications

• Commercially astute leader with deep understanding of the UK water sector.
• Proven track record of opening and scaling new market segments.
• Confidence in selling complex, engineered, project-based solutions.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute a clear UK water growth strategy.
• Lead the acquisition of new water and wastewater projects.
• Build a dedicated water-focused sales capability.

Skills

Commercial leadership experience

Understanding of UK water sector

Experience in project-based solutions

Strategic capability

Entrepreneurial mindset

Job description

Ready to take on a senior commercial leadership challenge at a pivotal growth stage?

Influx Search is supporting a UK-based, engineering-led manufacturer and service provider specialising in advanced pipeline maintenance, inspection and integrity solutions. With a long-established heritage in complex industrial environments, the business is now scaling rapidly into the UK water, market, transferring proven technologies into a sector ready for innovation.

This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of a strategically critical market and play a central role in shaping long-term growth.

The opportunity

The Sales Director will lead the development of the company’s water and utilities business, accelerating growth from an emerging revenue stream into a core pillar of the organisation. Initially operating in a player‑coach capacity, the role combines hands‑on business development with senior‑level strategy, working closely with the Managing Director and Board.

You will move the business from a reactive, project‑led approach to a proactive, relationship‑driven commercial model, securing frameworks, influencing specifications and establishing the organisation as a trusted partner to UK water utilities and contractors.

Key responsibilities

• Define and execute a clear UK water growth strategy, including market segmentation, target accounts and routes to market
• Personally lead the acquisition of new water and wastewater projects, moving beyond inbound enquiries
• Build and develop a dedicated water‑focused sales capability as momentum grows
• Establish senior relationships with utilities, contractors and key industry stakeholders
• Work closely with engineering and operations teams to scope, price and deliver complex, tailored solutions
• Act as a credible commercial partner to the Board, providing forecasting, insight and strategic input

Candidate profile

We are seeking a commercially astute, self‑starting leader with deep understanding of the UK water sector .

You are likely to bring

• Senior commercial leadership experience within UK water utilities and / or water contractors
• A proven track record of opening and scaling new market segments
• Confidence selling complex, engineered, project‑based solutions in multi‑stakeholder environments
• Strong strategic capability, with the gravitas to operate at board level
• An entrepreneurial mindset, resilience and comfort with long sales cycles

Direct experience of pipeline pigging or inspection technologies is not essential but would be a huge plus. Sector knowledge, networks and the ability to translate opportunity into structured growth are far more important.

Next steps

If you are motivated by building something of substance within a technically credible, growth‑oriented organisation, this role offers genuine influence and long‑term opportunity.

If it sounds like the right next step for you, apply via LinkedIn or get in touch with Max Fraser-Krauss ([e-mail]) to apply directly!

Influx Search is a global executive and specialty search recruitment consultancy that helps businesses find the best talent across a wide range of water, clean‑tech and environmental applications.

Our mission is clear : to streamline, optimise and propel your businesses recruitment plans.