New Business Sales Executive

Company Description

AccountingWEB is the premier online community for accounting professionals in the UK, including accountants, bookkeepers, and financial decision-makers. The platform offers valuable news, insights, and practical guidance through collaboration with leading voices in the industry. It serves as the go-to destination for professionals seeking to enhance their expertise and stay informed. AccountingWEB is part of Sift, a forward-thinking digital media company (https://www.sift.co.uk/).

Job Title: New Business Sales Executive

Salary £30,000 - £36000 + quarterly commission scheme + benefits

Remote with client visits as required.

Following rapid growth Sift is seeking to hire a New Business Executive.  

Sift is the parent company of AccountingWEB and The Finance, Accounting and Bookkeeping Show (FAB). Established over 30 years ago, Sift is a leading B2B media and events business renowned for providing 350,000 UK Finance and Accounting subscribers with knowledge, news and expertise on a daily basis. Via its trusted and unique brand AccountingWEB, Sift delivers digital marketing solutions 365 days a year to a successful and diverse global client base. Our annual two day live event FAB attracts 6000 delegates and this year had over 100 paid exhibitors.

The newly created New Business Executive position will play a vital role specifically targeting new opportunities from a commercially lucrative, mid market client base that Sift has identified as strategically critical for the firm’s long term success. Typically these clients are already at scale (£10 million T/O +) and can be characterised as successful market leaders in the niche they occupy within the global finance and accounting market.

As New Business Executive you will play a key role in delivering revenue by researching, identifying and winning integrated digital and event mandates from this target cohort. Responsibilities will include managing the sales process from initial prospecting and client contact through to proposal writing, negotiation and closing.

As New Business Executive you will be a driven, money motivated and commercially minded B2B sales professional, ideally (but not exclusively) from a publishing/events background, possessing a “Hunter” mentality and with the natural gravitas to hold high level discussions with senior decision makers at mid/large corporate organisations. You’ll bring strong communication + negotiation skills and the discipline to manage realistic forecasts and CRM pipelines.

The role will report to the New Business Director and involve regular interaction with the Senior Leadership Team. You will be joining an already successful and cohesive New Business Division so team players only please.

In return you will be joining a strongly led, established business that is committed to developing its employees and that has a demonstrable (already proven) plan for double digit growth year on year.

Responsibilities will entail:

• Prospecting & Lead Generation: Proactively identify, research, and contact potential new clients to build a strong pipeline via phone, email, and social media.
• Questioning: Lead powerful discussions focused on the client’s role, business needs and challenges. 
• Presenting & Closing: Deliver persuasive presentations containing insights and outcomes to showcase value  
• Relationship Management: Transition new clients to an account management programme, ensuring seamless handover that ensures upselling opportunities are fully capitalised on.
• Pipeline Management: Maintain accurate records in CRM systems, manage sales forecasts, and achieve monthly/quarterly targets.
• Market Analysis: Keep abreast of industry trends, competitor activity, and market dynamics to adapt sales strategies. 

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Experience: 1–3+ years of experience in B2B sales, ideally including direct experience in events/ exhibitions 
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with strong presentation ability.
• Negotiation: A natural ability to influence stakeholders and close high-value deals.
• Organization: Strong time management skills to handle multiple leads simultaneously

Demonstrable ability to work in a small team