Commercial Sales Executive

Join the Royal Society of Chemistry as a Commercial Sales Executive and become part of a welcoming and ambitious commercial team within a highly respected not-for-profit organisation. This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially driven sales professional to develop their career while representing products, services and opportunities that support and connect the global chemical sciences community.

As a Commercial Sales Executive, you will be responsible for generating new business, developing existing accounts and building long-term client relationships across a diverse commercial portfolio. This includes Chemistry World, ChemSpider, conferences and events, with commercial opportunities spanning advertising, sponsorship, content, lead generation and other tailored solutions. You will work with a wide range of organisations across the chemical sciences and related sectors.

Taking a consultative approach, you will work with customers to understand their objectives and develop tailored commercial solutions that help them reach highly targeted scientific audiences. You will proactively cultivate new prospects, build and manage a sales pipeline, and develop opportunities from initial contact through to close and ongoing account development.

You will work collaboratively with colleagues across sales, marketing, editorial, events and product teams, while bringing valuable customer and market insight back into the organisation. We are looking for a proactive and self-motivated sales professional with strong commercial instincts, excellent relationship-building skills and the drive to identify and convert new opportunities.

Experience in B2B sales, business development or account management is important, and experience within publishing, digital media, advertising, sponsorship, events, or membership-based organisations would be particularly valuable.

At the Royal Society of Chemistry, we support flexible and hybrid working, enabling our teams to come together when collaboration is most valuable. Although this role is contractually based at our Cambridge office, you will be able to work from home within the UK, with the expectation that you will be coming to the office few times a year. The role will also involve some UK and international travel for customer meetings, industry conferences and events throughout the year.

Key Deliverables

Revenue and Business Development

• Generate new business opportunities through targeted prospecting, industry networking, referrals, and market research.
• Deliver and exceed individual sales revenue targets across advertising, sponsorship, lead generation, content, and event opportunities.
• Develop tailored, consultative commercial proposals aligned to client objectives and campaign requirements.
• Account Management and Client Relations
• Proactively manage a portfolio of existing accounts to maximise retention, renewals, and long-term customer value.
• Maintain regular client contact through virtual meetings, face-to-face visits, and industry exhibitions (domestic and international travel).
• Build and sustain relationships with direct advertisers, agencies, and commercial partners.

Sales Operations and Pipeline Management

• Maintain accurate records of sales opportunities, customer interactions, forecasts, and pipeline activity within Salesforce.
• Produce reliable sales forecasts and revenue updates for commercial leadership.

Collaboration and Market Intelligence

• Collaborate with sales managers, internal editorial, marketing, events, and product teams to deliver successful client campaigns.
• Gather market intelligence and client feedback to inform future product enhancement and commercial innovation.
• Support wider commercial initiatives, campaigns and projects as required.

Skills and Knowledge  

Essential

• Proven track record in a B2B sales, business development, or account management role with a history of meeting or exceeding targets.
• Strong presentation, interpersonal, and relationship-building capabilities.
• Demonstrable commercial awareness and customer focus.
• Ability to identify opportunities, conduct consultative negotiations, and successfully close business.
• Be a self-starter with strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Confidence using CRM systems, Microsoft Office and digital tools.
• Ability to work independently whilst contributing positively to a team environment.

Desirable

• Experience selling media, advertising, sponsorship, events, or multi-channel digital marketing solutions.
• Experience within scientific publishing, membership organisations, or professional bodies.
• Experience of using Salesforce
• Understanding of advertising, sponsorship and marketing performance metrics.
• Familiarity with or interest in the chemical sciences or STEM sectors.

When applying, please provide an up-to-date CV and a supporting statement (no more than 500 words) indicating how your skills, knowledge and competencies match the requirements outlined in the job description.

Benefits

At the Royal Society of Chemistry, we promote a healthy work/life balance and flexible working options across the organisation. We offer a comprehensive benefits package to all employees including:

• 26 days paid holiday per annum
• 35-hour working week with flexible options, to be agreed with your line manager
• Access to a private medical (optional)
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Paid volunteering days
• Pension plan with up to 12% employer contributions (depending upon your contribution)

Salary package

£32,576 - £36,000 per annum, plus an annual bonus based on the achievement of agreed targets, in addition to our comprehensive benefits package.

 
Visit our Work For Us website to learn more about us, our benefits, equal opportunities statement and inclusive culture pledge.

At the RSC, we recognise the benefits of a diverse workforce and welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds to apply. We particularly encourage applications from disabled and ethnic minority candidates.

As a part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we endeavour, where possible, to offer an interview to candidates meeting the essential criteria of the role, who has a substantial physical/mental impairment which impacts their ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.

We are committed to making our recruitment processes accessible to all and as part of this, we are flexible in the ways we give and receive information. If you would like to apply using a different format, please contact the Recruitment Team at jobs@rsc.org or on +44 (0) 1223 432229 and we will do our best to put any reasonable adjustments in place.