Innovation Services Sales Lead (London)

Innovation Services Sales Lead

Salary: £40,000 - £45,000 plus bonus

Diversity

We're an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to building a diverse workforce and fostering an inclusive environment, where everyone can thrive and be their authentic selves at work. We recognise that the climate crisis intersects with social and inclusion issues, and we're particularly eager to receive applications from individuals who bring diverse perspectives, including people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, parents, carers, and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. We also value different experiences and encourage applicants whose backgrounds may not exactly match the criteria in the job description to apply.

About the role

We're seeking a results-driven sales lead to join our fast-paced Commercial team. You'll play a pivotal role, connecting our climate-tech entrepreneur customers to our innovation and growth solutions - including R&D Tax credits, grant writing, and brand & design services. This is a unique opportunity where you'll be using your consultative sales talents to help our startups address their most pressing innovation needs.

Your key responsibilities

• Drive revenue growth through proactive outbound sales, building a robust pipeline, and closing deals.
• Leverage your knowledge of the UK's funding landscape to consult with entrepreneurs, position our innovation services as solutions to their challenges, and negotiate impactful partnerships.
• End-to-end deal management - from initial outreach to deal closure.
• Scout startups by attending and networking at industry events.
• Consultative sales - understand customer needs and scope tailored solutions.
• Run innovation roadmap planning sessions with startups, referring them to relevant internal teams and trusted suppliers, including professional services partners.
• Oversee lead and deal flow via Pipedrive CRM.
• Prepare proposals, manage contracts, and lead negotiations to deal closure.
• Build and maintain strong, lasting relationships with startups, fostering trust and positioning the company as a long-term innovation partner.
• Collaborate with our wider internal teams to deliver high-quality growth solutions to clients.

We expect you to have

• 3+ years' B2B sales experience, ideally within professional services.
• Proven track record of achieving sales targets.
• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills.
• Confidence in consultative selling.
• Ability to thrive under pressure in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.

Desirable

• Experience of working in climate or sustainability-related sectors.
• Founder experience, especially those who have successfully raised funding.
• Higher education in business, innovation, or related fields.

Remuneration: £40,000 - £45,000 per annum plus bonus

Based: London, with travel across the South East and to our Cambridge office

Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week - hybrid working (with 3 days in the workspace/office)

Additional details

• 25 days Holiday + Bank Hols
• Monthly Wellness Day (time to rest & recharge)
• Paid Sick Leave + Private Health Insurance Scheme
• Enhanced Pension Scheme
• Cycle to Work Schemes + Octopus EV Lease Scheme

As you grow with us, you can access additional benefits, including enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave & pay from 2 years' service).

Recruitment process

• 30 min phone screening interview
• Two-stage, in-person interview, in-person exercise that aligns with the work that you will be delivering

About Sustainable Ventures

We're Europe's largest ecosystem of climate tech startups. Following our recent expansion of our Central London headquarters, we're focused on our mission to develop 1000 new businesses by 2025 and expand our operations across UK regions.

Our impact on the planet's climate and its natural resources is being felt more often and by more people than ever before. It is clear that significant changes must be made to achieve the targets set by the IPCC and reach Net Zero by 2050. This presents the world's biggest challenge, and it is something that SV has been addressing since 2011.

We believe in the power of commercial innovation to address the twin challenges of climate change and resource scarcity.