Sales Lead

Sword is a leading provider of business technology solutions within the Energy, Public and Finance Sectors, driving transformational change within our clients.  We use proven technology, specialist teams and domain expertise to build solid technical foundations across platforms, data, and business applications.  We have a passion for using technology to solve business problems, working in partnership with our clients to help in achieving their goals. 

This is a pivotal leadership role at a time of significant evolution for Sword. As the organisation continues its journey to evolve and strengthen its Data, Analytics, AI & automation offerings, this role will play a critical part in shaping how we position, sell, and scale our AI & Data transformation services within a key business unit.

The Sales Lead will be instrumental in translating strategic ambition into tangible revenue, working closely existing and new customers to unlock new opportunities and deepen relationships. This role goes beyond traditional sales execution, it is about actively shaping how Sword takes its transformation capabilities to market, aligning customer needs with innovative, outcomes‑driven solutions.

We are seeking a highly motivated, growth‑oriented individual who wants to be part of an exciting and forward‑looking journey. The successful candidate will thrive in an environment of change, be energised by building and expanding customer relationships, and be passionate about helping organisations realise value through data‑led and AI‑enabled transformation.

By combining hands‑on sales leadership with strategic influence, this role will be central to positioning Sword for sustained growth across its core sectors, while helping customers move confidently from ambition to measurable impact.

The Sales Lead is responsible for driving revenue growth, owning business development targets, and leading a high‑performing sales team focused on complex transformation engagements.

The role combines hands‑on selling, team leadership, and strategic account development, with an initial focus on Energy, Financial Services, and Public Sector clients. The successful candidate will understand how to sell outcomes‑led transformation across data, cloud, AI, and digital platforms.

Key Objectives / Outcomes

• Develop & deliver (in collaboration with the management team) a successful sales strategy to grow and diversify our customer base within our strategic target sectors.
• Achieve and exceed personal and team revenue targets
• Grow and diversify pipeline across Energy, FS, and Public Sector
• Position the organisation as a trusted transformation partner
• Build, lead, and develop a scalable, high‑performing sales team
• Drive predictable forecasting, strong deal qualification, and value‑based selling

Core Responsibilities

1. Business Development & Direct Selling

• Own a personal sales quota focused on new business and strategic expansion
• Lead complex, multi‑stakeholder transformation deals end‑to‑end
• Build strategic relationships with senior stakeholders to achieve “trusted partner” status
• Shape and influence client demand using outcome‑led, value‑based propositions
• Develop and execute account‑based sales plans for key clients

2. Sales Strategy & Growth

• Develop and execute a sector‑aligned sales strategy in collaboration with leadership
• Identify whitespace opportunities and new routes to market
• Contribute to the evolution of digital, data, and AI service propositions
• Translate organisational strategy into actionable sales plans

3. Sales Leadership & Team Development

• Build, lead, coach, and performance‑manage a sales and business development team
• Set clear targets, expectations, and success measures
• Establish a strong sales culture grounded in accountability and collaboration
• Provide mentoring on complex deal management and enterprise selling

4. Pre‑Sales & Bid Leadership

• Lead commercial and technical pre‑sales activities alongside delivery teams
• Influence and contribute to RFP, RFI, and tender responses
• Ensure proposals are compelling, accurately costed, and value‑driven
• Support complex bid strategies, pricing models, and risk management

5. Stakeholder & Internal Collaboration

• Work closely with delivery, technical, and practice leads to shape solutions
• Act as a bridge between customers, sales, and delivery teams
• Build trusted relationships internally and externally
• Represent the sales function at leadership level