Sales & Business Development Lead

HIGH DemandMEDIUM AI RiskGROWING in SL· Rs.125k+ /mo

Sales & BD Lead is for naturally competitive, relationship-driven people who thrive on the hunt and the close — and who want to lead others doing the same. The earning potential is high, the career progression is fast, and the role is never boring. The cost is sustained pressure, long hours, and an identity closely tied to your last quarter's numbers.”

About This Role

Identifies new business opportunities and builds relationships with potential clients to drive revenue growth.

A Day in the Life

You lead a sales team and drive new business development — setting targets, coaching sales executives, managing key accounts, and identifying and closing strategic business opportunities.

Lead and coach a team of 3–8 sales executives toward revenue targets
Develop and manage a pipeline of new business opportunities
Conduct senior-level client meetings and negotiate contract terms
Set individual and team sales targets aligned with business objectives
Analyse sales performance data and report to the Sales Director / VP Sales
Identify new market segments, products, or geographies for business expansion
Build and maintain relationships with key strategic accounts
Develop sales playbooks, call scripts, and objection-handling frameworks for the team

Work Environment

HYBRIDTeam: SMALLBUSINESS CASUALRemote: MEDIUM

Senior sales leadership role in corporate or B2B environments. In Sri Lanka, found across all sectors — technology (Dialog, Virtusa, SoftLogic IT), FMCG (Unilever, Nestlé), banking (for SME lending), and professional services. Significant external client-facing time and some travel required.

Typical hours: 50h/week · WLB score 5/10 · COMMON overtime

Sales roles are demanding and often extend beyond office hours — client dinners, travel, evening negotiations. Target pressure creates sustained work intensity.

Skills Required

Technical Skills

Sales pipeline managementCRM (Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho)B2B negotiationSales forecastingRevenue analysisKey account managementTeam leadership and coaching

Soft Skills

Persuasion and negotiationLeadership and coachingRelationship buildingResilienceCommercial acumenStrategic thinking

Tools & Software

Salesforce / HubSpot / Zoho CRMMicrosoft OfficeLinkedIn Sales NavigatorPower BI (sales dashboards)Slack / Teams

Salary in Sri Lanka (LKR / month)

Entry LevelRs.90k – Rs.160k/mo

Mid-LevelRs.160k – Rs.320k/mo

SeniorRs.320k – Rs.650k/mo

Entry: Senior Sales Executive / Sales ExecutiveMid: Sales & Business Development LeadSenior: Sales Director / VP Business Development

Typical progression: 5yr to mid · 10yr to senior

Global Salary (USD / year)

Entry Level$65k – $100k/yr

Mid-Level$100k – $150k/yr

Senior$150k – $250k/yr

Top Markets

UAESingaporeUKAustraliaUSA

Market Outlook

GROWING

High and growing demand across all sectors in Sri Lanka. Revenue generation roles are recession-resistant — companies always need people who can bring in business. Experienced B2B sales leaders with CRM skills are particularly sought.

Hiring: HIGH

Dialog AxiataSoftLogic ITJohn Keells HoldingsHemas HoldingsMAS HoldingsUnilever SLCommercial Bank (SME banking)

GROWING

Business development and sales leadership roles are consistently in demand globally. Remote BD roles for software and tech products are widely available.

Entry Requirements

Sri Lanka

Min. EducationBachelor's in Business, Marketing, or relevant field

Experience5–7 years in sales or business development, including at least 1 year managing a small team

Preferred

CIM DiplomaChallenger Sale / SPIN trainingMBA (Marketing)

Global

Min. EducationBachelor's in Business, Marketing, or equivalent

Experience6+ years in B2B sales with team leadership experience

Preferred

CIMMBASalesforce certifications

Helpful Certifications

Challenger Sale certificationMiller Heiman Strategic SellingCIM DiplomaSLIM Advanced DiplomaMBA (Marketing / Strategy)

Entrepreneurship & Freelancing

Freelance: LOWRemote: MEDIUMCapital: LOW

Freelance earnings: $30–$80/mo (USD)

Platforms (SL)

LinkedInDirect referrals

Business Ideas

Sales consulting and training for SMEs
Business development agency for local businesses
Sales coaching and enablement firm

Side Income Ideas

Sales training workshops for SME ownersCRM implementation consultingCommission-based referral partnerships

Significant demand from SL SMEs that need professional sales systems and coaching. Export-oriented businesses also need BD expertise.

Risks & Challenges

AI / Automation Risk

MEDIUM

MID TERM

Burnout Risk

HIGH

Job Security (SL)

HIGH

CRM AI, automated outreach sequences, and AI-generated proposals are automating the administrative and transactional parts of BD roles. However, senior client relationships, complex B2B negotiation, and strategic account management require human judgment and trust-building that AI cannot replicate.

Burnout Causes

Relentless target pressureManaging underperforming team membersClient rejection and deal lossLong hours including evenings and weekendsIncentive structure creates constant performance anxiety

Physical Health Risks

Travel fatigueClient entertainment (excess alcohol, late nights)Sedentary desk work between meetings

Mental Health Risks

Quota pressureManaging pipeline anxietyDealing with difficult clients and rejections

How to Mitigate

Build expertise in a high-value B2B sector (tech, pharma, financial services)
Develop CRM and sales analytics skills
Create a documented track record of revenue generated

Is This Career For You?

Commerce or Business graduates with strong interpersonal skills and competitive drive. Suits confident, persistent, high-energy individuals who enjoy building relationships, understanding businesses, and are motivated by performance-based rewards.

Personality Types

ENTJESTPENTP

Core Motivations

Revenue growthCompetition and winning dealsRelationship buildingTeam leadership

What You'll Love