Associate Director of Sales

What could you achieve if you led a national sales team where every partnership directly fuels positive change in education?

TPP Recruitment is partnering with the workforce development body for the Further Education and Training sector to appoint an Associate Director of Sales. This is a pivotal position: you’ll set direction and lead from the front with senior customers.

Salary: £75,150-79,100 per annum, depending on experience
Employment type: Permanent
Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week
Working arrangements: Hybrid with national travel; typically, around three days per week with customers/prospects or in the office (London), with flexibility required
Start date: ASAP

About the Organisation

Every day, educators and leaders across the Further Education (FE) and Skills sector inspire curiosity, drive progress and empower learners to achieve their potential. This organisation is here to champion the vital role of the FE and Skills workforce. Working in partnership, they drive professionalism by setting the professional standards for the quality of teaching and leadership across the sector. The organisation provides educators with a pathway of professional development throughout their careers, champions inclusion and enables sector change for a thriving FE and Skills sector. Together, they are transforming lives and opportunities for learners aged 14 and above.

About the Role

As Associate Director of Sales, you will lead regional and central teams that generate income through membership subscriptions and associated services, building long‑term, solution‑led partnerships with colleges, training providers, and adult education organisations. You’ll be outward‑facing, developing senior relationships with Principals, Vice Principals and HR/People Directors, while coaching your team, improving sales operations, and enhancing the customer experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the B2B sales strategy to grow partnership, leadership development and learning offers
• Personally manage senior, high‑value relationships and open doors at executive level
• Model consultative, solution‑led selling; tell compelling stories that bring value to life
• Align sales activity with marketing and product to deliver a seamless customer journey
• Strengthen customer success and regional engagement to ensure measurable impact and renewals
• Mature sales operations (pipeline, forecasting, performance reviews and dashboards)
• Embed effective use of customer relationship management systems and data insight
• Lead, coach and mentor a small, high‑performing sales and customer success team

 
Skills / Experience Required

• Senior leadership experience in B2B sales, partnerships, or commercial development, ideally within the education, learning, or professional membership sector
• Deep understanding of the Further Education and skills landscape, including workforce challenges and sector priorities
• Demonstrable success in consultative, solution-based selling to senior leaders in colleges, training providers, or adult education organisations
• Experience designing and delivering people-focused solutions such as membership, CPD, or leadership development offers
• Proven ability to build and lead high-performing sales teams, with a collaborative and coaching approach
• Skilled in pipeline management, forecasting, and performance accountability, with strong CRM and data insight capabilities
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills, able to engage credibly with education sector stakeholders
• Motivated by social purpose and sector impact; outward-facing and relationship-driven

Interview Process

• Screening and informal chats (pre‑Christmas) coordinated by TPP Recruitment
• Final interviews mid‑January 2026(in‑person) with senior leaders at the organisation
  • Assessment task included in the invitation to interview

To Apply

• Supporting statement (no more than 2 pages)
• CV

N.B. Thoughtful use of AI tools is acceptable; we also want to understand your voice, strengths and judgement through your statement.

Deadline 

• Applications will be reviewed on receipt
  • Early applications (before Christmas) are encouraged to secure January interview slots.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.