Sales Development Representative - Entry Level

About Us
The Financial Times 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. Here, you’re given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world. In our warm, collaborative culture, you’ll 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. With no fixed path, you’ll discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere. Build a newsworthy career at the FT.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued. A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential. We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, with a focus on addressing those faced by underrepresented groups.

Job Purpose

The Floating Sales Development Representative (SDR) role is ideal for someone looking to start a career in sales and business development within an international organisation. This unique role will support teams in multiple regions, including UKI, Global, APAC, Americas, and CEMEA, stepping in where there’s a need for extra SDR coverage and helping to manage capacity issues. As a Floating SDR, you’ll gain exposure to a variety of markets and teams, working alongside Business Development Managers (BDMs), SDRs, and Marketing teams across all regions.

In this role, you’ll play a key part in helping our FT Professional division, which licenses FT content to organisations around the world. Your work will support our sales team by pre-qualifying leads and prospects, identifying key contacts, and proactively reaching out to potential clients in sectors like corporate, finance, government, education, and media. You’ll also assist the field sales team through activities like lead pre-qualification, identifying budget holders, prospecting for new contacts, and gathering testimonials.

You’ll report to the UKI regional sales team and be given the chance to learn, grow, and develop essential skills in sales and customer relationship building. No prior experience is required, just a passion for communication and an eagerness to learn.

Key Responsibilities

As an entry-level SDR, you will:

• Assist in building a sales pipeline by prospecting through outbound calling and email communication.
• Respond to and qualify inbound leads to help identify potential new clients.
• Conduct research to identify budget holders and decision-makers within target organisations.
• Pre-qualify leads and arrange introductory calls for the field sales team.
• Support sales efforts by gathering testimonials and evidence to support proposals.
• Collaborate with marketing teams on campaign activities to improve lead quality.
• Maintain accurate records of conversations and interactions within the CRM system.
• Prepare weekly reports to track your progress and identify opportunities for improvement.

You will receive training and mentorship to develop your knowledge of the FT’s product offerings and value proposition.

Required Skills / Experience

We’re looking for someone who:

• Is a clear and confident communicator, especially on the phone.
• Is proactive, curious, and eager to learn about the Financial Times and its product offerings.
• Has strong internet research skills and is comfortable with online tools.
• Is organised and capable of managing a busy workload.
• Shows attention to detail and accuracy in all tasks.
• Brings enthusiasm and initiative to the role and is ready to develop their skills in sales.
• Enjoys working as part of a team and contributing ideas.
• While a relevant degree is preferred, equivalent experience will also be considered.

No previous experience in sales is required; just bring your enthusiasm and readiness to learn.

Please note: We will be hosting an interactive group interview experience for this role on 9th December in London. Availability on this date is required.

Please include a cover letter in your application.

Application closing date Monday 18th November.

What's in it for You?
Our benefits vary by location but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships, and opportunities to give back to the community. Full details of our benefits are available here. We’ve embraced a hybrid working model that promotes flexibility, including remote work options. We will support specific flexibility requests for all roles where feasible.

Accessibility
We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory. Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments/personalisation as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, email [email protected] and a member of our team will be happy to help.

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