Commercial Director - Data
Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom Full-time Posted 2 hours ago
Company Description
Version 1 has celebrated 30 years in business and continues to be trusted by global brands to deliver technology and transformation solutions that drive customer success. Our deep expertise enables our customers to navigate the rapidly evolving technology landscape. We foster strong partnerships with global technology leaders including Microsoft, AWS, Oracle, Red Hat, OutSystems, Snowflake, ensuring that our customers are provided with the highest quality solutions and services.
We’re an award-winning employer reflecting how our employees are at the very heart of what we do:
Job Description
The Commercial Director for Data plays a key commercial leadership role in taking responsibility for delivering the commercial outcomes for Version 1’s data business and providing specialist data sales expertise across the end-to-end sales cycle. As the accountable person for the core data commercial KPI’s, you will work closely with sales, pre‑sales, technical teams, marketing, and partners to support the positioning and sale of Version 1’s data services and solutions to new and existing clients. The focus of the role is to increase Version 1’s data revenue in line with group growth targets by contributing sales insights, refining messaging, and ensuring alignment with market trends, customer needs, and emerging technologies, ensuring Version 1 are at the forefront of the market for data led consulting and solutions.
You will bring an in depth understanding of data solutions, consultative selling skills, and the ability to translate technical capabilities into business value for prospective customers. You will lead client-facing engagements to understand client requirements, run workshops, and shape proposals that draw on your expertise in data solutions. This includes developing compelling bid responses, creating reusable accelerators and offerings, and providing subject matter expertise for delivery teams.
This is a high-impact, hybrid role that combines hands-on commercial leadership with strategic consulting and business development. The role would suit someone with a good foundation in data architecture, consulting and a passion for improving business outcomes through data and AI.
Key Responsibilities
Support Sales Opportunities
Essential Criteria
At Version 1, we believe in providing our employees with a comprehensive benefits package that prioritises their wellbeing, professional growth, and financial stability.
Version 1 is an equal opportunities employer
We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace where everyone feels valued and able to thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and lived experiences, and we value the different perspectives people bring including those shaped by disability and neurodiversity.
We want every candidate to have a positive and accessible recruitment experience. If you need reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process, please contact [laura.cowan@version1.com] at Version 1. We will consider all requests carefully, respectfully and confidentially.
Version 1 has celebrated 30 years in business and continues to be trusted by global brands to deliver technology and transformation solutions that drive customer success. Our deep expertise enables our customers to navigate the rapidly evolving technology landscape. We foster strong partnerships with global technology leaders including Microsoft, AWS, Oracle, Red Hat, OutSystems, Snowflake, ensuring that our customers are provided with the highest quality solutions and services.
We’re an award-winning employer reflecting how our employees are at the very heart of what we do:
- UK & Ireland's premier AWS, Microsoft & Oracle partner
- 4000+ strong, €450/£400m revenue business
- 10+ years as a Great Place to Work in Ireland & UK
- Best Workplace for Women in the UK & Ireland by GPTW
- Best Workplace for Wellbeing in the UK by GPTW
Job Description
The Commercial Director for Data plays a key commercial leadership role in taking responsibility for delivering the commercial outcomes for Version 1’s data business and providing specialist data sales expertise across the end-to-end sales cycle. As the accountable person for the core data commercial KPI’s, you will work closely with sales, pre‑sales, technical teams, marketing, and partners to support the positioning and sale of Version 1’s data services and solutions to new and existing clients. The focus of the role is to increase Version 1’s data revenue in line with group growth targets by contributing sales insights, refining messaging, and ensuring alignment with market trends, customer needs, and emerging technologies, ensuring Version 1 are at the forefront of the market for data led consulting and solutions.
You will bring an in depth understanding of data solutions, consultative selling skills, and the ability to translate technical capabilities into business value for prospective customers. You will lead client-facing engagements to understand client requirements, run workshops, and shape proposals that draw on your expertise in data solutions. This includes developing compelling bid responses, creating reusable accelerators and offerings, and providing subject matter expertise for delivery teams.
This is a high-impact, hybrid role that combines hands-on commercial leadership with strategic consulting and business development. The role would suit someone with a good foundation in data architecture, consulting and a passion for improving business outcomes through data and AI.
Key Responsibilities
Support Sales Opportunities
- Assist Sales Leads in managing and qualifying data solution opportunities.
- Provide specialist sales insights to align customer needs with Version 1’s data offerings, engaging directly in sales opportunities, bid production, customer presentations and contractual negotiations where applicable.
- Collaborate with marketing, delivery, and partner teams to support demand generation and targeted campaigns.
- Support customer discussions by showcasing Version 1’s data capabilities in areas such as data engineering, analytics, AI/ML, and cloud data platforms.
- Work with technical pre‑sales teams to help shape tailored solutions that meet customer requirements. Ensure these solutions are reflected accurately to support positive sales outcomes in proposals, tender responses and customer presentations.
- Assist in refining Version 1’s data value proposition, ensuring clarity on differentiators and industry best practices.
- Work with sales leadership and Data & AI Service Line leads to develop and implement go‑to‑market strategies to position Version 1 as market leaders for data solutions.
- Assist in developing sales collateral, pitch decks, and value messaging tailored to different industries and customer personas.
- Stay informed on industry trends, market positioning, and emerging technologies to support the sales approach across Version 1 core verticals – Government, Financial Services, and Private Sector.
- Work alongside partners, including hyperscale providers (Microsoft, AWS, Oracle) and data platform vendors (Databricks, Snowflake), to develop and improve data solution offerings.
- Support engagement with Version 1’s delivery and engineering teams to ensure sales commitments align with execution capabilities.
- Identify co‑sell opportunities and collaborate with partners to maximise customer value.
- Assist in tracking and managing pipeline activity, ensuring accurate forecasting and reporting of sales performance across Version 1’s data portfolio.
- Be responsible for the TCV and Revenue KPIs for the Data Service Line, working with Sales Leads to achieve growth objectives.
- Provide insights and feedback to the data leadership team to refine offerings based on customer demand.
Essential Criteria
- Experience in B2B data technology and capability sales, preferably in data solutions, analytics, or cloud platforms.
- Experience with Azure Data Services, AWS, Databricks, Snowflake, Oracle, and Power BI.
- Solid understanding of data platforms, data engineering, AI/ML, analytics, and cloud ecosystems.
- Ability to work with senior decision‑makers (CIOs, CTOs, Heads of Data & Analytics).
- Ability to explain technical concepts clearly to both business and IT audiences.
- Experience collaborating with technical pre‑sales, delivery teams, and marketing.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
- Experience contributing to business cases and sales messaging.
- Experience influencing internal stakeholders to position capability effectively.
- Experience working through complex sales cycles and multi‑stakeholder engagements.
- Self-motivated with experience in supporting sales pipeline development and execution.
- Ability to navigate complex sales cycles and multi-stakeholder engagements.
- Experienced working in an evolving market, adapting to new trends and customer needs.
- Experience influencing internal teams to position capability to win.
At Version 1, we believe in providing our employees with a comprehensive benefits package that prioritises their wellbeing, professional growth, and financial stability.
- Strong Career Progression & mentorship coaching through our Strength in Balance & Leadership schemes with a dedicated quarterly Pathways Career Development programme
- Flexible/remote working, Version 1 is tremendously understanding of life events and people’s individual circumstances and offer flexibility to help achieve a healthy work life balance
- Financial Wellbeing initiatives including; Version 1 Pension with a 5% employee-matched contribution, Private Healthcare Cover, Life Assurance, Financial advice and an Employee Discount scheme
- Employee Wellbeing schemes including Gym Discounts, Bike to Work, Fitness classes, Mindfulness Workshops, Employee Assistance Programme and much more.
- 24 days holiday allowance plus Public Holidays, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, marriage/civil partnership leave and special leave policies
- Educational assistance, incentivised certifications, and accreditations, including AWS, Microsoft, Oracle, and Red Hat
- Reward schemes including Version 1’s Annual Excellence Awards & quarterly Star Awards.
- Environment, Social and Community First initiatives allow you to get involved in local fundraising and development opportunities as part of fostering our diversity, inclusion and belonging schemes.
Version 1 is an equal opportunities employer
We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace where everyone feels valued and able to thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and lived experiences, and we value the different perspectives people bring including those shaped by disability and neurodiversity.
We want every candidate to have a positive and accessible recruitment experience. If you need reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process, please contact [laura.cowan@version1.com] at Version 1. We will consider all requests carefully, respectfully and confidentially.
