Senior Sales Lead, WPP Open

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients, and communities.

Working at WPP means being part of a global network of more than 100,000 talented people dedicated to doing extraordinary work for our clients. We operate in over 100 countries, with corporate headquarters in New York, London and Singapore.

WPP is a world leader in marketing services, with deep AI, data and technology capabilities, global presence and unrivalled creative talent. Our clients include many of the biggest companies and advertisers in the world, including approximately 300 of the Fortune Global 500.

Our people are the key to our success. We're committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow.

WPP Open is at the forefront of transforming how brands connect with consumers globally. As WPP's unified operating system, we are building the next generation of marketing technology, data, and AI solutions that power creativity and drive unparalleled client value. Joining WPP Open means being part of a dynamic, collaborative environment where innovation is not just encouraged, but essential, as we shape the future of advertising and marketing for the world's leading brands.

Why we're hiring:

We are looking for an experienced and entrepreneurial Senior Sales Lead/Sales Director to establish, manage, and grow the WPP Open direct client sales team. This is a foundational leadership role where you will work closely with the Senior Executive Team to build the sales function from the ground up, with the initial focus on securing early wins and establishing a scalable model for identifying and converting client demand.

You will be responsible for setting the strategy, achieving ambitious pipeline and revenue targets, and building a high-performing team to drive the adoption of our transformative AI platform.

What you'll be doing:

Team Leadership & Development: Build, lead, and manage the entire WPP Open sales operation. You will directly manage and develop team members, monitoring performance through KPIs to optimise success.

Sales Strategy & Process: Define, implement, and automate lead and sales management processes, documenting them in a comprehensive Sales Playbook. You will segment prospects and design customised sales journeys, from enterprise engagement to self-service conversions.

Direct Sales & Pipeline Management: Personally run client and agency sales meetings, conduct discovery sessions, deliver demos, and manage the sales process through to contract signature. You will proactively manage the sales pipeline to drive deal progression and ensure the CRM is meticulously maintained.

Collaboration & Growth: Work closely with marketing on lead generation campaigns, coordinate with pre-sales on larger opportunities, and collaborate with the Commercial Operations Lead on pricing. You will also develop affiliate, reseller, and partner programs to expand market reach.

Continuous Improvement: Provide detailed feedback to the product and proposition teams to drive continuous improvement and identify process enhancements to increase sales team performance.

What you'll need:

Previous senior leadership experience as a Sales Manager in a B2B SaaS business with the ability to evidence conversion of large scale client contracts.

A proven track record of successfully scaling SaaS sales teams in both the UK and the USA.

A history of consistently exceeding new business sales targets, both as an individual contributor and as a team lead.

Excellent people management and communication skills, with experience managing and developing successful sales teams.

Exceptional gravitas and presentation skills, with the ability to present confidently at the Board level.

An entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to adapt and thrive under pressure.

Experience working within a start-up and/or agency environment.

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

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