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About the Role

FT Longitude is seeking a commercially curious, resilient, and highly motivated Sales Development Executive to join its growing commercial team. This newly created role will focus on opening high-quality conversations with senior decision-makers at leading B2B organizations, contributing to FT Longitude's growth strategy through a tailored and consultative sales approach. The position is a six-month parental leave cover with potential for extension.

Responsibilities

Research target organizations and identify relevant senior decision-makers across various sectors.
Build and maintain accurate prospect lists using sales intelligence tools.
Develop tailored outreach through telephone, email, and LinkedIn.
Follow up on various types of leads including marketing-qualified, campaign responses, event leads, and self-sourced outbound opportunities.
Engage senior collaborators such as CMOs, CSOs, CIOs, CISOs, CHROs, transformation leaders, Heads of Thought Leadership, and Heads of Content.
Use thoughtful questioning and MEDDPICC-based qualification to understand prospect needs and fit.
Book qualified meetings and create well-defined early-stage opportunities for senior commercial colleagues.
Partner with sales and marketing colleagues to improve campaign follow-up, lead quality, and account targeting.
Contribute ideas on priority sectors, market themes, target accounts, outreach angles, and buyer challenges.
Maintain clear and accurate CRM records covering activity, conversations, qualification insights, and next steps.
Report weekly on activity, conversations, meetings created, opportunities identified, key takeaways, and blockers.
Support selected early-stage discovery conversations and contribute insight to pitches and proposals as knowledge develops.

Requirements

Around one to two years of experience in sales, sales development, business development, lead generation, or a related commercial role.
Confidence engaging senior partners by telephone, email, and LinkedIn.
Clear, professional communication skills and the ability to build rapport quickly.
Curiosity about businesses, brands, markets, and issues influencing senior executive agendas.
Resilience and persistence, with the ability to respond positively to rejection while maintaining a thoughtful and credible approach.
Strong research skills and the ability to develop relevant, personalized outreach.
Excellent organization and the ability to handle multiple accounts, leads, conversations, and follow-up activities.
Strong written communication skills, including the ability to produce concise and engaging prospect communications.
Confidence using data, CRM information, and account research to prioritize activity.
A proactive, self-motivated approach and a strong appetite for learning.
A collaborative approach and willingness to work closely with sales, marketing, strategy, and editorial colleagues.
The confidence to contribute ideas and insight.

Skills

Sales
Sales Development
Business Development
Lead Generation
Commercial Acumen
Consultative Selling
Account Research
Prospecting
CRM
Communication
Collaboration
Thought Leadership (Desirable)
Content Marketing (Desirable)
B2B Publishing (Desirable)
Media (Desirable)
Research (Desirable)
Agency Environment (Desirable)
LinkedIn Sales Navigator (Desirable)
ZoomInfo (Desirable)
Salesforce (Desirable)
B2B Marketing (Desirable)
Brand Authority (Desirable)
Content Strategy (Desirable)
Demand Generation (Desirable)
Senior Buyer Engagement (Desirable)
MEDDPICC (Desirable)

Location

London
Global remit

Work Type

Hybrid
Flexible working

Experience Level

1-2 years experience

Benefits

Generous annual leave
Medical cover
Inclusive parental leave packages
Subsidised gym memberships
Opportunities to give back to the community

About the Company

The Financial Times is a world-leading news organisation, globally recognised for its authority, integrity, and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide.
FT Longitude is a thought leadership specialist within the Financial Times Group, helping leading B2B organisations define, evidence, and communicate their key ideas.
FT Longitude combines critical thinking, research, editorial expertise, storytelling, and creative activation.
FT Longitude partners with clients to create high-profile thought leadership programmes.
FT Longitude brings the credibility, rigour, and authority of the Financial Times.

Equal Opportunity

We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued.
A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential.
We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, with a focus on addressing those faced by underrepresented groups.
We are a Disability Confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory.
Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments or personalisation as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview.