Head of Sales and Business Development

Head of Sales and Business Development

Location: UK-based, with flexibility to travel between DEKRA offices (Southampton, Aberdeen & Leeds) and client sites
Salary: Competitive DOE + bonus and car allowance
Contract: Full time, Permanent
Benefits: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, Holiday buy and sell scheme, Private health insurance, Pension contribution, Employee referral scheme, Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme, Free parking at Milton Keynes site, Eye test vouchers and Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).

We are DEKRA Automotive, part of a global organisation employing over 49,000 people in more than 60 countries! In the UK, we deliver a wide range of services spanning the automotive, oil and gas, insurance, and chemical and process safety industries.

We re now looking for an experienced and strategic Head of Business Development and Sales to drive revenue growth, lead our talented BD and Sales team, and strengthen DEKRA s position as a trusted partner in process safety consultancy and testing.

This is a pivotal, high-impact leadership position. You ll be responsible for defining and executing the sales and marketing strategy for DEKRA Process Safety across the UK and beyond.

Reporting to the Director of Process Safety UK, you will:

• Own the sales strategy, ensuring alignment with DEKRA s growth and client objectives.
• Lead, coach, and inspire the BD and Sales team to deliver ambitious targets and exceptional client experiences.
• Take accountability for the sales pipeline, forecasts, and KPIs, ensuring effective processes and CRM discipline (Salesforce).
• Manage relationships with strategic accounts, securing long-term partnerships and uncovering new opportunities.
• Deliver data-driven insights to leadership through market intelligence, forecasting, and sector analysis.
• Develop scalable structures, tools, and performance frameworks that enable sustainable success.

About You:

You ll be both a strategist and a hands-on leader, someone who understands how to inspire people, build relationships, and deliver measurable growth.

You ll also bring:

• A degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific field (essential).
• 10+ years experience in technical sales, including leading and developing teams.
• Proven success managing complex contracts (£10k £10M) and sustainable pipelines (£5 10M+).
• Experience using CRM and ERP platforms (e.g. Salesforce, SAP).
• Strong negotiation, presentation, and client management skills.
• The ability to turn strategy into action and action into results.

Above all, you ll bring a people-centric approach and the confidence to represent DEKRA s values of safety, integrity, entrepreneurship, customer focus, and teamwork in everything you do.

If you feel you have the necessary skills and experience to be successful in this role, click on APPLY today!

No agencies please.