what is a sales director?

As a sales director, you're a motivator and planner. You are hired by an employer to manage salespeople across multiple teams to follow effective strategies. Additionally, you work with marketing divisions to create campaigns that increase the organisation's revenue and client base. As you are at director level of senior management, you have complete control of the sales portion of a company's budget.

role of a sales director

Sales directors are critical in every sector of industry that produces materials for public consumption. This includes business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-customer (B2C). You work with your leaders to promote the company's strengths through comprehensive plans.

coordination with other directors

In your role as a sales director, you coordinate with other executive-level leaders. This is done to verify that all teams are on the same page when it comes to boosting sales. For instance, you meet with the director of marketing to develop recommendations used in sync with sales teams.

sales director jobs
1

average salary of a sales director

Every sector requires a sales director, including small to medium-sized businesses. Due to this great need, the salary range of your position is usually well above the average of other professions.

2

types of sales directors

There are several types of sales director positions. These are specified to different organisational units. For example, a role as an e-commerce manager, or your focus as a director of IT sales is the sale and service of hardware, software applications, or both. On the other hand, when you take the director position for external sales, your operations look beyond the scope of your geographic region. For instance, sales products and services in Europe or Asia.

3

working as a sales director

You'll succeed in the position of sales director if you can increase the revenue and customer service levels of an organisation. With the development of strategic plans and sure-fire motivation, you encourage your managers and their salespeople to go beyond their normal responsibilities. Ultimately, you set the tone for all the salespeople under you.

top executive job

Overall, the role of a sales director is one of the top professions in a company. If you're just out of college, expect to work your way up from an entry-level position before becoming a director. You must prove that the company's return on investment is well worth your hiring. However, once you gain the position as a head of sales and managerial experience, a higher-paying sales director position could be in your future.
Different companies will have different expectations for their sales directors. However, there are a few things you can expect regarding your responsibilities, an average office environment, and your typical workday.

sales director job description

As a sales director, you take on several duties to make sure your company's products or services are getting sold. Some take place on a regular schedule. Others occur on an as-needed basis.

male wearing a tie working on his computer.
male wearing a tie working on his computer.

work environment

You work in an executive office that's normally on the same floor as other directors. It contains a desk and a sitting area for small meetings. Occasionally, it's connected to a larger conference room.

the typical work schedule

As a sales director, you usually work a standard 9-5 schedule Monday through Friday. There are moments where you come in earlier or later. For instance, when you deal with international clients or must be available for an executive meeting. However, you don't come in for second or third shifts when the company operates on a 24/7 schedule.

shorted workweeks

To reduce stress and create a better work-life balance, you operate on a compressed schedule. Usually, this is Monday through Thursday or Tuesday through Friday, between the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. In the end, the four-day schedule grants an extra day off to you and your team.

4

education & skills

Here is a breakdown of the education and qualifications companies look at when they hire you as a sales director.

Two men working together in an office environment
Two men working together in an office environment

skills & competencies

To be a successful sales director for any organisation, you require a strong set of skills & competencies.

5

FAQs

Here are the most asked questions about working as a sales director.

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