UK Commercial Lead / Country Manager - SME Finance - Michael Page

Big Think Capital is an established US-based business financing company providing access to a broad range of alternative lending and commercial finance solutions.

As part of its international expansion, the business is launching its UK operation and is looking to appoint a senior commercial leader to help establish and grow its presence in the UK SME and alternative finance market.

This represents an opportunity to combine the autonomy and pace of building a new business with the infrastructure, resources and backing of an established US organisation.

Description

The UK Commercial Lead / Country Manager will play a foundational role in launching and developing Big Think Capital's UK business.

The role is broader than traditional sales management. Its foundations are firmly rooted in sales leadership, production and accountability, with the successful individual expected to lead from the front while helping establish the wider UK operation.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading, motivating and developing a high-performing team of business finance sales professionals.
• Driving sales activity, pipeline management, conversion and revenue production.
• Remaining hands-on with client conversations, deal structuring, negotiations and closing opportunities.
• Establishing clear performance expectations and creating a culture centred on accountability and results.
• Recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, coaching and developing new sales talent.
• Establishing training, performance management and KPI frameworks.
• Supporting the day-to-day development and operation of the UK office.
• Helping develop and execute the UK go-to-market strategy.
• Building relationships with lending partners, referral sources and other relevant market stakeholders.
• Developing a strong understanding of the UK alternative lending landscape, lender products and underwriting criteria.
• Identifying opportunities to develop new products, distribution channels and revenue streams.
• Working closely with the US leadership team on processes, best practice, staffing, sales strategy, market positioning and longer-term expansion.
• Taking ownership of wider commercial and operational priorities as the UK business develops.

Profile

The opportunity will suit an entrepreneurial and commercially driven sales leader who enjoys building rather than simply managing an established operation.

Relevant backgrounds could include business finance, alternative lending, commercial finance brokerage or comparably fast-paced sales environments. Familiarity with UK SME lending, commercial finance or the alternative finance market is highly desirable.

The successful applicant should be able to demonstrate:

• A strong track record in sales leadership and developing high-performing teams.
• Credible individual sales experience and the ability to remain directly involved in winning and closing business.
• A hands-on leadership approach, with confidence coaching and supporting salespeople in real time.
• Experience recruiting, training, mentoring and developing sales talent.
• Strong commercial judgement and an understanding of what drives sales productivity and revenue.
• An entrepreneurial mindset and enthusiasm for building a new operation.
• The adaptability to work across different priorities as the UK business develops.
• A strong sense of ownership and accountability for commercial performance.
• The ability to operate effectively across immediate revenue objectives and longer-term strategic growth priorities.

Job Offer

This is an exclusive partnership with Big Think Capital on their launch in the UK and this role is a rare opportunity to play a foundational role in the UK launch of an established US business.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to:

• Help build and lead the UK commercial operation from the ground up.
• Shape the sales strategy, processes and culture of the new business.
• Recruit and develop their own high-performing sales team.
• Influence the long-term direction of the UK operation.
• Work with the backing and resources of an established US company while retaining the entrepreneurial environment of a new-market launch.
• Take on broader leadership responsibility as the UK operation expands and contribute to the organisation's wider international growth strategy

If you're interested in this role, apply now!