Sales Development Representative (6-month fixed term contract)

About Us The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide. At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Here, you’re given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world. In our warm, collaborative culture, you’ll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing. Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. With no fixed path, you’ll discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere. Build a newsworthy career at the FT. About FT Longitude FT Longitude is a thought leadership specialist within the Financial Times Group. We help leading B2B organisations define, evidence and communicate the ideas they want to be known for. Our work combines critical thinking, research, editorial expertise, storytelling and creative activation. We partner with clients to create high-profile thought leadership programmes that help them build authority, influence senior audiences and create commercial impact. As part of the Financial Times Group, we bring the credibility, rigour and authority of one of the world’s most respected business brands. Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 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. The Role We are looking for a commercially curious, resilient and highly motivated Sales Development Executive to join FT Longitude’s growing commercial team. Inside sales is an important and developing part of FT Longitude’s growth strategy. In this newly created role, you will help open high-quality conversations with senior decision-makers at leading B2B organisations. We believe in a tailored and consultative sales approach at FT Longitude. You will research accounts thoroughly, understand the issues affecting senior buyers and develop thoughtful, credible outreach that communicates FT Longitude’s value proposition. Working across inbound leads, marketing campaigns, named target accounts and proactive outbound activity, you will focus on creating qualified meetings and early-stage opportunities for the senior sales team. Along the way, you will develop the commercial skills and sector knowledge needed to progress in a consultative B2B sales environment. Reporting to the Commercial Director, you will be based in London and work across a global remit. This is a six-month parental leave cover, with potential to extend, subject to demand and business rationale. Key Responsibilities Research target organisations and identify relevant senior decision-makers across sectors including consulting, technology, financial services, professional services, enterprise software, risk, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Build and maintain accurate prospect lists using LinkedIn Sales Navigator, ZoomInfo, Google Workspace, CRM platforms and other sales intelligence tools. Develop tailored outreach through telephone, email and LinkedIn, with an approximate 70⁄30 balance between phone-led and digital or social engagement. Follow up marketing-qualified leads, campaign responses, event leads, named-account activity and self-sourced outbound opportunities. Engage senior collaborators including Chief Marketing Officers, Chief Strategy Officers, Chief Information Officers, Chief Information Security Officers, Chief Human Resources Officers, transformation leaders, Heads of Thought Leadership and Heads of Content. Use thoughtful questioning and MEDDPICC-based qualification to understand prospects’ needs, priorities, buying context and potential fit with FT Longitude. 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 agreed next steps. Report weekly on activity, conversations, meetings created, opportunities identified, key takeaways and blockers. As your knowledge develops, support selected early-stage discovery conversations and contribute relevant insight to pitches and proposals. Success will be measured by the quality and consistency of your prospecting, your ability to create relevant conversations with senior buyers and your contribution to qualified meetings and opportunities. Measures are likely to include qualified meetings booked, opportunities created, target-account engagement, CRM activity and the quality of sales handovers. The emphasis is on meaningful commercial engagement rather than activity volume alone. Required Skills and Experience Around one to two years’ 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 the 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, personalised outreach rather than relying on generic messaging. Excellent organisation 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 prioritise 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, not simply complete activities. Desirable Experience in thought leadership, content marketing, B2B publishing, media, research, professional services or an agency environment. Experience using LinkedIn Sales Navigator, ZoomInfo, Salesforce or similar sales and CRM tools. An understanding of B2B marketing, brand authority, content strategy, demand generation or senior buyer engagement. Familiarity with MEDDPICC or another recognised sales qualification framework. Training will be provided. What’s in it for You? Our benefits vary by location but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and opportunities to give back to the community. Full details of our benefits are available here. We’ve embraced a 50% hybrid working model (averaging two to three days onsite) that fosters trust and remote adaptability while encouraging in-person camaraderie and peer learning. Additionally, we are open to accommodating specific flexible working pattern requests for all roles where feasible. This is an opportunity to join a growing commercial team at an important stage in its development. You will work within a business that combines the credibility of the Financial Times with the creativity and pace of a specialist thought leadership agency. You will receive structured induction, ongoing coaching and practical training from an experienced commercial team. You will also have the opportunity to help shape how inside sales operates at FT Longitude rather than simply inheriting an established process. For the right person, the role offers valuable exposure to high-value consultative selling and a potential pathway towards a future business development or consultative sales position. Accessibility 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. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, email [email protected] and a member of our team will be happy to help. Further Information At the FT, we embrace innovation and the use of technology and appreciate that individuals may use AI tools as part of their job application process. Whilst we are happy for you to use AI to assist with your application, it is essential that all information provided is authentic and accurately represents your skills, experience, and qualifications. Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process may be monitored to ensure a fair and transparent hiring process for all. Please beware of fraudulent job postings and offers claiming to be from the Financial Times. All legitimate opportunities will direct you to apply through the official Financial Times careers site, and the FT will never ask for financial information, payments, or referrals to third parties during the hiring process. If you have any concerns about the legitimacy of a job posting or suspect any scam activity, please contact [email protected]. Interested in the FT but don’t see the right role yet? Join our Talent Community to receive exclusive updates, featured jobs, and insights into working at the FT.