Managing Director - #2176026

About Virtualnonexecs

Virtualnonexecs is one of the UK's leading digital platforms connecting non-executive directors, Chairs, board advisers, investors and senior executives with boardroom opportunities, professional development and commercial networks.

With a community of over 30,000 senior professionals and an established technology platform, we operate a growing ecosystem of commercial services, including:

• Membership subscriptions: Connecting senior executives with boardroom opportunities, professional networks and career development.

• Executive education: Including our exclusive Cranfield School of Management Non-Executive Directors Essentials Programme.

• Corporate partnerships: Working with professional services firms, financial institutions, industry bodies and other organisations.

With an established platform, substantial membership base and multiple revenue streams, we are entering an important phase of growth.

We are seeking an exceptional Managing Director to take full responsibility for commercial performance, profitability, team development and the next stage of scaling the business.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a commercially driven, hands-on Managing Director with a proven track record of scaling revenue, building successful sales teams and taking full ownership of the day to day running of the company.

This is an opportunity for an ambitious business leader who has operated successfully within a fast-growing SME, digital business or scale-up.

We are not looking for a traditional corporate Managing Director who operates at a distance from the sales function.

You will have the autonomy and responsibility to shape the commercial direction of an established digital platform with significant potential for expansion.

Key Responsibilities

1. Revenue Growth, Profitability & day to day P&L Ownership

• Take full ownership of the company's growth plans, including revenue, operating costs, margins.

• Develop and execute ambitious but achievable revenue growth strategies across multiple business lines.

• Deliver annual revenue, recurring income and profitability targets.

• Identify opportunities to increase average customer value, retention and lifetime revenue.

• Develop accurate forecasting, budgeting and financial reporting processes.

• Monitor commercial performance and implement corrective action where necessary.

• Manage resources and investment to maximise return and operating efficiency.

• Report directly to the CEO on financial performance, commercial progress and strategic opportunities.

2. Sales Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, develop and expand a high-performing sales team across membership subscriptions, partnerships, events and course sales.

• Recruit, onboard and develop talented sales professionals as the business scales.

• Set clear individual and team revenue targets, KPIs and performance expectations.

• Establish structured sales processes, pipeline management and conversion reporting.

• Personally participate in business development, key account relationships.

A demonstrable track record of personally building and scaling sales teams is essential.

3. Digital Marketing, PPC & Lead Generation

• Take commercial responsibility for the performance of digital customer acquisition and lead generation.

• Work closely with internal marketing resources and external agencies to optimise marketing.

4. Strategic Partnerships & Business Development

• Develop and expand strategic commercial relationships with professional services firms, financial institutions, industry bodies, alumni organisations and corporate partners.

• Identify and negotiate significant commercial agreements that create recurring and scalable revenue.

• Build new routes to market through channel partnerships, referral relationships and corporate distribution agreements.

• Develop opportunities to commercialise our extensive professional membership network.

• Personally lead major business development opportunities.

5. Executive Education, Membership & Events

• Drive revenue growth across our executive education offering, including the Cranfield NED Essentials Programme and future digital learning products.

• Develop scalable B2B and B2C sales strategies for online education and professional development.

• Expand corporate and institutional distribution partnerships.

• Ensure each revenue stream has clear ownership, measurable targets and effective reporting.

6. Operational Leadership & Business Scaling

• Take responsibility for the day-to-day commercial and operational management of the business.

• Work closely with product and technology teams.

• Ensure the business maintains appropriate cost control, accountability and operational discipline.

Proven P&L Ownership

• Significant experience managing a company or division.

Sales Team Building & Leadership

• Extensive experience recruiting, developing and scaling successful sales teams.

• Strong understanding of sales.

• A hands-on leadership style.

Digital Business & Marketing Experience

• Experience within a digitally enabled, technology-led or online business.

• A strong working understanding of PPC, digital lead generation.

• Confidence working with technology teams and digital experts.

Location

• Must be based in North West England.

• Able to maintain a regular, hands-on presence with the team.

Highly Desirable Experience

We would be particularly interested in candidates with experience in one or more of the following sectors:

• SaaS, digital subscriptions or online marketplaces.

• Membership organisations or professional networks.

• Executive education, EdTech or online learning.

• Recruitment technology, professional services or B2B platforms.

Personal Attributes

Commercially Hungry

You are motivated by revenue, profit and measurable achievement. You enjoy winning.

Entrepreneurial & Hands-On

You thrive in a scale-up environment, make decisions quickly and are comfortable getting directly involved.

A Proven Team Builder

You understand how to recruit strong people, developing their capabilities.