Sales Associate

Job Title: Sales Associate

Location: Reading, Green Park, United Kingdom

Salary: Competitive salary + uncapped commission + performance incentives

Working Model: Hybrid

Note: Visa sponsorship not available for this role

Job Summary

We are looking for a motivated, commercially focused and quick-learning Sales Associate to join our growing Sales and Business Development team.

The successful candidate will support the growth of Akoni Technologies by identifying prospective clients, generating new business opportunities, developing relationships with key decision-makers and supporting the sales process from initial engagement through to opportunity development.

Previous experience in sales, business development, recruitment, technology or a similar client-facing role would be beneficial, but it is not essential. We are equally interested in candidates who can demonstrate strong communication skills, confidence, initiative and the ability to learn quickly.

This is a proactive sales role suited to someone who enjoys speaking with new people, building professional relationships and developing an understanding of technology, consulting and digital transformation. We are looking for someone who is curious, adaptable and keen to develop their career within a growing technology business.

Key Responsibilities

New Business Development

• Proactively identify and target new clients across the UK & EU technology and professional services market.
• Generate new business opportunities through cold calling, LinkedIn, email campaigns, networking, referrals and industry events.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of qualified prospects and commercial opportunities.
• Engage with senior stakeholders including CIOs, CTOs, Heads of Technology, IT Directors, Transformation Directors, Procurement teams and Talent Acquisition leaders.
• Arrange and lead introductory meetings, discovery calls and client presentations.
• Understand prospective clients' technology, transformation and resourcing challenges and identify suitable solutions.
• Develop targeted account and business development strategies for priority organisations and sectors.

Sales & Commercial Management

• Own opportunities from initial prospecting through qualification, proposal, negotiation and close.
• Work towards agreed revenue, new-client and activity targets.
• Negotiate commercial terms, rates and agreements with prospective clients.
• Prepare proposals, presentations and commercial documentation with support from internal teams.
• Maintain accurate sales activity, opportunities and forecasting information within the CRM.
• Monitor market activity and identify emerging sectors, technologies and potential areas for growth.
• Keep abreast of emerging trends and technologies within the tech recruitment industry.

Client Relationship Management

• Develop trusted, long-term relationships with new and existing clients.
• Regularly engage with clients to understand upcoming projects, hiring requirements and transformation priorities.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing accounts and introduce additional Akoni Technologies services.
• Act as a commercial point of contact throughout the client relationship.
• Provide clients with relevant market intelligence, technology talent insights and industry trends.

Events & Networking

• Attend technology events, networking sessions, conferences and client meetings where required.
• Represent Akoni Technologies professionally at external events.
• Develop relationships with prospective clients, partners and technology professionals.

Technology Resourcing & Consultancy

• Identify opportunities for permanent recruitment, contract resources, project teams and consultancy services.
• Translate client requirements into clear briefs.
• Support the development of client solutions across areas including:
• Software Engineering
• Cloud & Infrastructure
• Data & AI
• Cyber Security
• Digital Transformation
• ServiceNow
• Microsoft Dynamics 365
• DevOps
• Testing & Quality Assurance
• Technology Programme & Project Delivery
• Help position Akoni Technologies as a trusted technology partner rather than simply a recruitment supplier.

Candidate Management:

• Source, screen, and engage top tech talent using various platforms such as LinkedIn, job boards, and personal networks.
• Conduct detailed interviews to match candidate skill sets with client requirements.
• Provide career advice to candidates and support them throughout the recruitment process.

End-to-End Recruitment:

• Manage the entire recruitment lifecycle, including job posting, shortlisting, scheduling interviews, and closing offers.
• Deliver tailored solutions to both clients and candidates, ensuring successful placements.

What We Offer

• Competitive Package: Competitive basic salary with uncapped commission and performance incentives.
• Holidays: 24 days' annual leave plus your birthday off, excluding bank holidays.
• Hybrid Working.
• Health & Wellbeing: Vitality Rewards, private health insurance and discounts with high-street and online retailers.
• Career Progression: Clear opportunities to develop into senior business development, account management or commercial leadership positions.
• Autonomy: Opportunity to build your own client portfolio and directly influence the growth of the business.
• Culture: Regular team meet-ups, networking opportunities and company events.
• Location: Reading Green Park office with access to Green Park events and free parking.
• Broader Exposure: Opportunity to develop your knowledge across technology consulting, recruitment, resourcing and digital transformation.

Why Join Akoni Technologies?

At Akoni Technologies, we are growing our technology consulting and resourcing business and are looking for someone who wants to be part of that journey.

This role offers the opportunity to take genuine ownership of business development, build your own portfolio of clients and develop relationships across the UK technology market.

We are particularly interested in someone who enjoys opening doors, meeting new people, developing commercial relationships and turning conversations into long-term business opportunities.

If you are commercially ambitious, enjoy technology sales and want the opportunity to make a visible contribution to a growing organisation, we would be pleased to hear from you.