Senior Business Development Executive

Application Deadline: 31 August 2026

Department: Sales

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Swansea, UK

Reporting To: Head of UK & Ireland

Description

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a portfolio of Tier 2–4 commercial accounts across the UK and Ireland. 
• Conduct regular customer account reviews to identify opportunities for growth and strengthen customer relationships. 
• Build and maintain strong relationships with existing, former and prospective customers through regular engagement. 
• Develop an understanding of customer business priorities and position SANS solutions to support their cyber security capability and workforce development objectives. 
• Deliver an exceptional customer experience throughout the sales lifecycle.

• Convert qualified inbound leads into sales opportunities across assigned accounts. 
• Proactively identify and develop new business opportunities within existing and prospective customers. 
• Execute outbound business development campaigns using telephone, email, LinkedIn and other sales channels. 
• Promote the full SANS portfolio of training, certifications and cyber security solutions. 
• Develop and maintain a robust sales pipeline through Salesforce. 
• Prepare accurate monthly sales forecasts in line with agreed business processes. 
• Follow market trends and emerging cyber security developments to identify new commercial opportunities and translate these into customer-focused solutions.

• Promote SANS training events, webinars and initiatives to customers across the UK and Ireland. 
• Invite key customers and prospects to relevant SANS events and executive briefings. 
• Conduct follow-up activity with delegates following events to identify new sales opportunities. 
• Maintain regular contact with previous delegates to encourage continued engagement with SANS programmes. 
• Support SANS events and industry conferences where required, representing the organisation professionally.

• Manage sales opportunities through the CRM system (Salesforce), ensuring customer and pipeline data remains accurate and up to date. 
• Prepare quotations, proposals and supporting commercial documentation. 
• Support tender responses, framework submissions and customer procurement activities where appropriate. 
• Monitor invoice queries and support timely resolution of outstanding customer payments in collaboration with Finance. 
• Produce sales reports and pipeline updates for the UK & Ireland Sales Leadership Team. 
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve sales processes and customer engagement. 

• Deliver agreed sales targets, KPIs and business objectives. 
• Maintain high levels of commercial professionalism and customer service. 
• Collaborate effectively with Business Development Managers, Customer Success, Marketing and other internal stakeholders. 
• Promote the SANS brand, mission and values in all customer interactions. 
• Undertake additional responsibilities appropriate to the role. 

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Proven experience in business development, inside sales, account management or customer success. 
• Demonstrable experience of developing customer relationships and generating sales opportunities. 
• Experience working in a target-driven commercial environment. 
• Experience managing customer information using CRM platforms (Salesforce preferred).
• Experience preparing quotations, proposals or commercial documentation. 

• Understanding of consultative selling and account management principles. 
• Knowledge of sales processes and pipeline management. 
• Understanding of customer relationship management best practice.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to build and maintain effective client relationships.
• Strong relationship-building and customer engagement skills.
• Excellent planning, organisation and sales forecasting skills.
• Commercial awareness and negotiation ability. 
• Strong organisational and time management skills. 
• High level of attention to detail and administrative accuracy. 
• Strong objection handling and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple opportunities simultaneously. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications. 
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively within a team.  

• Customer-focused, with a commitment to delivering outstanding service.
• Self-motivated and results driven.
• Professional, confident and credible.
• Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced sales environment. 
• Collaborative and supportive team player.
• Proactive with a strong sense of ownership and accountability. 
• Flexible and willing to travel throughout the UK and Ireland to attend customer meetings and SANS events.

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.

• Experience selling technology, cyber security, professional services or learning solutions. 
• Experience managing commercial customer accounts. 
• Experience supporting marketing campaigns, customer events or lead generation activities. 

• Knowledge of the Cyber Security sector, including current market trends and customer challenges.
• Knowledge of the UK and Ireland commercial market.

• Proficient in Salesforce and Tableau.