Ready to take on a senior commercial leadership challenge at a pivotal growth stage?

Influx Search is supporting a UK-based, engineering-led manufacturer and service provider specialising in advanced pipeline maintenance, inspection and integrity solutions. With a long-established heritage in complex industrial environments, the business is now scaling rapidly into the UK water, market, transferring proven technologies into a sector ready for innovation.

This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of a strategically critical market and play a central role in shaping long-term growth.

The opportunity

The Sales Director will lead the development of the company’s water and utilities business, accelerating growth from an emerging revenue stream into a core pillar of the organisation. Initially operating in a player-coach capacity, the role combines hands-on business development with senior-level strategy, working closely with the Managing Director and Board.

You will move the business from a reactive, project-led approach to a proactive, relationship-driven commercial model, securing frameworks, influencing specifications and establishing the organisation as a trusted partner to UK water utilities and contractors.

Key responsibilities

• Define and execute a clear UK water growth strategy, including market segmentation, target accounts and routes to market
• Personally lead the acquisition of new water and wastewater projects, moving beyond inbound enquiries
• Build and develop a dedicated water-focused sales capability as momentum grows
• Establish senior relationships with utilities, contractors and key industry stakeholders
• Work closely with engineering and operations teams to scope, price and deliver complex, tailored solutions
• Act as a credible commercial partner to the Board, providing forecasting, insight and strategic input

Candidate profile

We are seeking a commercially astute, self-starting leader with deep understanding of the UK water sector.

You are likely to bring:

• Senior commercial leadership experience within UK water utilities and/or water contractors
• A proven track record of opening and scaling new market segments
• Confidence selling complex, engineered, project-based solutions in multi-stakeholder environments
• Strong strategic capability, with the gravitas to operate at board level
• An entrepreneurial mindset, resilience and comfort with long sales cycles

Direct experience of pipeline pigging or inspection technologies is not essential but would be a huge plus. Sector knowledge, networks and the ability to translate opportunity into structured growth are far more important.

Next steps

If you are motivated by building something of substance within a technically credible, growth-oriented organisation, this role offers genuine influence and long-term opportunity.

If it sounds like the right next step for you, apply via LinkedIn or get in touch with Max Fraser-Krauss (max@influxsearch.com) to apply directly!

Influx Search is a global executive and specialty search recruitment consultancy that helps businesses find the best talent across a wide range of water, clean-tech and environmental applications.

Our mission is clear: to streamline, optimise and propel your businesses recruitment plans.