As a Sales Director, you know the importance of strategy, leadership, and delivering measurable results. But not so fast – there’s one key pitch you need to master first: your CV.
Think of your CV as your ultimate sales deck – it needs to grab attention and close the deal. This guide, complete with Sales Director CV examples, will help you craft an application that does just that and gets you to the top of the shortlist.
Sales Director CV example
Head of Sales CV example
How to write your Sales Director CV
Learn how to create your own interview-winning Sales Director CV with this simple step-by-step guide.
This guide will walk you through writing a Sales Director CV that highlights your proven expertise and key qualifications. By the end, you’ll have a CV that opens doors to executive opportunities.
Sales Director CV structure
Your CV should be as strategic and results-focused as your sales campaigns. Recruiters need to see your leadership experience, qualifications, and your most enviable skills with just a brief look. This can be achieved with a consistent and clear layout.
Here’s how to structure your Sales Director CV:
- Name and contact details – Place these at the top for immediate accessibility. Photos are entirely optional.
- CV profile – Provide a summary of your leadership, strategic sales expertise, and career highlights.
- Core skills – Highlight your strengths, such as team leadership, strategic planning, and revenue growth.
- Work experience – Detail your professional history in reverse chronological order, focusing on key achievements.
- Education – Include academic qualifications and certifications relevant to sales and leadership.
- Additional info – Optionally, mention professional memberships or major industry awards, along with relevant interests.
Sales Director CV format
With hundreds of applications to look through, a recruiter won’t pay much attention to one they can’t navigate or bear to look at. Poor formatting can undermine even the most impressive accomplishments, so ensure your CV is clear, consistent, and easy to read.
Here’s a few good tips to format your Sales Director CV effectively:
- Bullet points – Use these to break down achievements and responsibilities into digestible details.
- Divide sections – Clear headings make it easy for recruiters to find key information quickly.
- Use a clean font – Stick to professional, readable typefaces with consistent formatting.
- No more than 2 pages – Keep it concise to highlight your expertise while holding the recruiter’s attention.
Sales Director CV profile
Your CV profile is the elevator pitch for your career – a brief snapshot of your leadership abilities and sales expertise. You’re going to need to entice the recruiter to read on with a quick overview of what makes you the best candidate.
Sales Director CV profile examples
Profile 1
Experienced Sales Director with over eight years leading high-performing teams in the technology sector. Skilled in developing and executing sales strategies, managing multimillion-pound accounts, and exceeding revenue targets. Proficient in CRM tools like Salesforce and HubSpot to optimise pipelines and drive growth.
Profile 2
Dedicated Sales Director with six years of experience in the FMCG industry, focused on driving market share and expanding distribution networks. Expertise in strategic planning, team leadership, and managing relationships with key clients. Proficient in leveraging data analytics to inform sales strategies and improve performance.
Profile 3
Proficient Sales Director with more than a decade of experience in the financial services sector, specialising in business development and client retention. Skilled in managing cross-functional teams, building long-term partnerships, and overseeing successful product launches. Experienced in using Tableau and Power BI to track and report on KPIs.
What to include in your Sales Director CV profile
Tailor your profile to align with the company’s goals, referencing specific skills or achievements relevant to the role.
Here’s what to include in your Sales Director CV profile:
- Where you’ve worked – Mention industries or companies where you’ve led sales teams, and the level of experience you’ve got.
- Your top qualifications – Highlight degrees like an MBA or certifications in sales strategy or leadership.
- Key sales skills – Include expertise in revenue forecasting, strategic planning, or business development.
- Team size you’ve led – Reference the size of teams or regions you’ve managed to showcase your leadership scope.
- Revenue achievements – Highlight metrics such as percentage increases in sales and market share gains.
- Software you know – You’d be expected to make use of specialist software, so let the recruiter know that you’re able.
Core skills section
The core skills section is your CV’s highlights reel, giving recruiters an instant overview of the abilities that make you an effective Sales Director.
For this role, focus on skills that demonstrate strategic thinking, leadership, and the ability to deliver measurable results. Tailor this section to the job description to emphasise the skills most relevant to the role.
Top skills for your Sales Director CV
- Strategic Sales Planning – Developing and executing sales strategies to achieve revenue and market share goals.
- Team Leadership – Leading and mentoring sales teams to drive performance and achieve targets.
- Revenue Growth – Identifying and capitalising on opportunities to maximise sales and profitability.
- Business Development – Expanding client portfolios and securing new partnerships.
- Data-Driven Decision Making – Leveraging analytics to refine strategies and improve sales outcomes.
- Client Relationship Management – Building and maintaining long-term relationships with key accounts.
- Market Analysis – Conducting in-depth research to identify trends and inform strategic decisions.
- Contract Negotiation – Securing favourable terms in high-stakes deals with clients and partners.
- Budget Management – Allocating resources effectively to maximise ROI.
- Sales Pipeline Optimisation – Streamlining processes to improve conversion rates and shorten sales cycles.
Work experience
Your work experience section is where you demonstrate how you’ve driven revenue growth and led teams to success. For a Sales Director, this section should highlight your strategic contributions, leadership achievements, and measurable impact.
List your roles in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position. If you’re transitioning into a director-level role, highlight relevant management experience and achievements.
How to structure jobs
- Outline – Briefly describe the organisation, your role, and the scope of your responsibilities.
- Responsibilities – Highlight key tasks such as managing sales teams, developing strategies, or driving business growth. Use action verbs like “spearheaded,” “implemented,” or “expanded.”
- Achievements – Quantify your impact with metrics like revenue growth percentages, market share gains, or team performance improvements. Numbers are essential here!
Example jobs for Sales Director
Sales Director | Futures Tech
Outline
Led the sales strategy for a leading technology firm, managing a team of 20 account managers and driving revenue growth. Focused on expanding market share and nurturing strategic client relationships.
Responsibilities
- Developed and implemented sales strategies to meet and exceed revenue targets.
- Managed a portfolio of high-value accounts, fostering long-term client relationships.
- Led and coached the sales team, ensuring consistent performance and professional development.
- Collaborated with marketing to align campaigns with sales objectives and generate leads.
- Analysed sales data using Salesforce to identify trends and refine strategies.
Achievements
- Increased annual revenue by 25% by securing key enterprise accounts.
- Reduced customer churn by 15% through improved client engagement strategies.
- Developed a training programme that improved team close rates by 20%.
Sales Director | Garner & Co.
Outline
Oversaw sales operations for a national FMCG brand, leading a team of regional managers to deliver consistent growth. Focused on building partnerships with retail chains and expanding product distribution.
Responsibilities
- Developed strategic sales plans to grow market share and achieve revenue goals.
- Built and maintained relationships with key retail clients, negotiating favourable contracts.
- Managed and supported regional sales managers to ensure alignment with company objectives.
- Analysed market trends and competitor activity to inform pricing and promotional strategies.
- Presented performance reports to senior leadership, highlighting key achievements and opportunities.
Achievements
- Increased product distribution by 30%, securing listings with major supermarket chains.
- Achieved a 20% growth in sales revenue through targeted promotional campaigns.
- Reduced operational costs by 12% by streamlining sales processes.
Sales Director | Scruton Finance
Outline
Directed sales initiatives for a financial services firm, focusing on business development and client retention. Led a team of business development managers to deliver tailored solutions to corporate clients.
Responsibilities
- Defined and executed sales strategies to achieve business objectives and revenue targets.
- Managed relationships with corporate clients, ensuring satisfaction and long-term retention.
- Oversaw the onboarding and training of new business development managers.
- Monitored sales metrics using Tableau to track progress and optimise strategies.
- Collaborated with product teams to align sales efforts with client needs.
Achievements
- Grew revenue by £5M annually by securing contracts with high-value clients.
- Improved client retention rates to 95% through proactive relationship management.
- Delivered a 15% increase in team productivity by implementing a new sales performance dashboard.
Education section
The education section highlights the qualifications and training that support your expertise as a Sales Director. Include degrees, certifications, and relevant professional development courses.
For more qualified candidates, this section can be brief, focusing on key qualifications. If you’re transitioning into a director role, emphasise relevant coursework or certifications that demonstrate leadership potential.
List qualifications in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.
Best qualifications for Sales Directors
- MBA (Master of Business Administration) – Advanced training in leadership, strategy, and financial management.
- ISM Diploma in Strategic Sales Management – Focuses on designing and implementing effective sales strategies.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or Marketing – Provides a solid foundation in sales principles and market dynamics.
- HubSpot Sales Software Certification – Demonstrates proficiency in CRM tools for sales management.