Location
London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
The Financial Times (FT) 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. You will join a warm, collaborative culture where you 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, allowing you to discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere.

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. Combining critical thinking, research, editorial expertise, storytelling and creative activation, we partner with clients to create high-profile thought leadership programmes that build authority, influence senior audiences and create commercial impact.

We are seeking a commercially curious, resilient and highly motivated Sales Development Representative to join FT Longitude’s growing commercial team on a six-month fixed term contract covering parental leave, with potential to extend subject to demand and business rationale. This newly created role focuses on inside sales as a key part of FT Longitude’s growth strategy.

You will research target accounts, understand senior buyers’ challenges, and develop tailored, consultative outreach to open high-quality conversations with senior decision-makers across sectors including consulting, technology, financial services, professional services, enterprise software, risk, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Working across inbound leads, marketing campaigns, named target accounts and proactive outbound activity, your goal will be to create qualified meetings and early-stage opportunities for the senior sales team.

Reporting to the Commercial Director and based in London, you will work across a global remit. You will receive structured induction, ongoing coaching and practical training from an experienced commercial team, with the opportunity to help shape how inside sales operates at FT Longitude rather than inheriting an established process. This role offers valuable exposure to high-value consultative selling and a potential pathway towards future business development or consultative sales positions.

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.
- Strong research skills and the ability to develop relevant, personalised outreach rather than relying on generic messaging.
- Experience in thought leadership, content marketing, B2B publishing, media, research, professional services or an agency environment is desirable.
- Experience using LinkedIn Sales Navigator, ZoomInfo, Salesforce or similar sales and CRM tools is desirable.
- Familiarity with MEDDPICC or another recognised sales qualification framework is desirable (training provided).

About you
- 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.
- 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.

Qualifications
No formal qualifications are specified; however, relevant sales experience and a strong commercial mindset are essential.