How To Write a Sales Director Resume
Your sales director resume must show hiring managers you can navigate complex market dynamics while leading and inspiring sales teams. It should demonstrate a track record of driving revenue growth while maintaining a customer-centric approach. With our expert tips and strategies, you’ll learn how to create a document that highlights all the best parts of your career in sales leadership.
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
1. Summarize your sales director qualifications in a dynamic profile
Your profile is like the elevator pitch of your resume, a small snapshot of your sales career. Use this space to give hiring managers the top three to five reasons why you’re the best fit for the job. List your title and years of experience first, and then any specializations. Think about what makes you uniquely qualified.
Sales happen across a range of sectors. If you have industry-specific knowledge, mention that in your profile. Do you have a history of exceeding revenue targets? A knack for driving new business? Include these details as well.
Senior-Level Profile Example
A dynamic Sales Director with 10+ years of experience building and leading high performance sales organizations to exceed revenue targets for enterprise companies. A proven track record of establishing enduring relationships with clients founded on trust and integrity. Adept at defining innovative growth strategies to drive new business development and enhance market penetration across untapped verticals.
Entry-Level Profile Example
A Sales Director with seven years of experience, specializing in sales management, team leadership, territory management, and pipeline development. Adept at developing and managing high performance sales teams to exceed annual sales quotas and drive revenue generation.
2. Showcase your sales director experience
For each of the past positions you include, create bullet points that feature your career accomplishments. Show hiring managers that your work leads to positive outcomes, and use numbers when you can to quantify results. Monetary figures, percentages, and performance metrics help illustrate your achievements.
Numbers are important in sales, but remember to describe your leadership style too. How do you interact with and lead your team? Discuss what kinds of goals your team has achieved under your direction. Be sure to feature examples of you developing innovative sales strategies to enhance market penetration and territory growth.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Enterprise Sales Director, Numerator, Las Vegas, NV
July 2017 – Present
- Lead a sales department comprised of 65 representatives and account managers, oversee the entire sales cycle, and motivate team members to exceed revenue targets and achieve 140% of annual quota in 2022
- Serve as the point of contact for client stakeholders and C-level executives, generated new leads at trade shows and industry conferences, and secure five new accounts generating $4.5M in revenue
- Recruit, nurture, and support the development of top talent, identify opportunities to enhance performance, and establish a high performance work culture centered on inclusion and empowerment
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Director of Sales, Discovery Healthcare Solutions, Tampa, FL
March 2019 – Present
- Oversee all aspects of sales operations for a provider of healthcare solutions and technology, build relationships with hospital CEOs, and grow the territory from $600K-$3.5M
- Manage and develop a team of 30 sales representatives and two sales managers, define overarching sales strategy for the department, and improve average close rates to 35%
- Identify opportunities to drive new business development throughout the healthcare sector and provide recommendations and proposals to senior leadership
3. List your education and certifications relevant to sales directors
Most sales director positions require at least a bachelor’s degree, so list yours in the education section of your resume. Start with your highest degree and include any others that may be pertinent. Then, include any certifications you’ve earned over the years.
For example, a Certified Professional Sales Leader (CPSL) credential could help you stand out as a qualified leader. Because a CPSL-certified individual adheres to professional standards and ethics in sales practices, hiring managers can rest assured you’re committed to excellence in the field.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example
- Bachelor of Science in Marketing
- University of Michigan, Dearborn, MI | June 2010
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example
- Certified Professional Sales Leader, NASP | 2014
4. Make a list of your sales director-related skills and proficiencies
To get your resume through applicant tracking systems (ATS), emphasize your key skills. An ATS identifies keywords in your resume, evaluating alignment to the job description before passing it on to the hiring manager. So, the more you match the keywords, the better your chances of having your resume read. Use phrases like the ones below in your sales director resume:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Account development | Account management |
| Business development | Business-to-business (B2B) sales |
| Business-to-consumer (B2C) sales | Client relations |
| Communication | Consultative sales |
| Customer relationship management (CRM) | Deal closing |
| Lead generation | Negotiations |
| Pipeline development | Prospecting |
| Salesforce | Sales presentations |
| Sales strategy | Solution selling |
| Team leadership | Territory management |
5. Highlight your leadership and development skills
An ability to lead and develop a team is central to your role as a sales director. Implementing strategies and hitting sales targets is essential, but this is a senior management role. Hiring managers need to be confident in your ability to lead their sales teams and take the time to develop their employees. Throughout your resume, highlight your leadership skills and coaching style, letting potential employers get to know who you are as a leader.
How To Pick the Best Sales Director Resume Template
Organization and readability should be your top priorities when selecting a template. Look for simple designs with a clear structure. Hiring managers should be able to easily scan your resume and capture all they need to know in just a few seconds. They’re most interested in what you have to offer, not how colorful or stylish your document looks.
Sales Director Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
Joseph Gough
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
765 My Street, Detroit, MI 10987
Profile
A results-driven Sales Director with over eight years of experience within the technology industry, specializing in strategic planning, territory management, and product marketing. A proven track record of building and leading high performance sales organizations. Adept at identifying opportunities to develop new pipelines, grow territories, and expand revenue growth for enterprise organizations. .
Professional Experience
Technology Sales Director, Accenture, Detroit, MI
March 2014 – Present
- Identify areas for growth, set strategic progress plans, and generate short and long-term team sales targets for an enterprise technology company with over $100M in annual sales
- Manage over 100+ sales representatives, monitor performance, deliver coaching and mentorship, and identify opportunities to enhance sales operations and improve annual revenue by 15% YOY
- Liaise with 12 major corporate clients, analyze organizational needs and business metrics, recommend appropriate products, and conduct demonstrations to showcase the benefits of Accenture technology
Technology Sales Manager, Tempo Technologies, Detroit, MI
July 2012 – March 2014
- Managed all aspects of the sales cycle for a premiere technology start-up, sourced and qualified leads, built long-term relationships with clients, and generated over $6M in annual sales revenue
- Planned and managed promotional events, delivered product demonstrations to potential clients, and identified opportunities to enhance brand engagement for prospects and existing clients
Education
Bachelor of Science in Marketing
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, Dearborn, MI, September 2006- June 2010
Master of Science in Business Administration
EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY, Ypsilanti, MI, September 2010- June 2012
Key Skills
- Sales Management
- Strategy Development
- Product Marketing
- Cross-functional Leadership
- Technology Sales
Certifications
- Certified Professional Sales Leader, NASP, 2014
Frequently Asked Questions: Sales Director Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for sales director resumes?-
Emphasize your proactive, results-driven approach to sales by using action verbs. These dynamic words help hiring managers visualize how you achieved results in past positions. If you run out of action verbs, we’ve got you covered. Consider using some of the terms below as you write your sales director resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Coached |
| Collaborated | Communicated |
| Coordinated | Developed |
| Drove | Forecasted |
| Enhanced | Exceeded |
| Identified | Implemented |
| Improved | Led |
| Managed | Negotiated |
| Oversaw | Planned |
| Sold | Spearheaded |
How do you align your resume with a sales director job description?-
From 2022 to 2032, jobs for sales directors are expected to grow 4%, about as fast as average. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this growth is attributed to a continued need for sales strategy. As brick-and-mortar stores compete with an increase in online shopping, they’re expected to turn to sales directors for assistance.
Just as with most senior-level roles, expect a competitive hiring process. After all, you’re going against seasoned job seekers. You’ll need a resume customized for each position you apply for.
For example, suppose a software company needs a sales director who has a knack for establishing partnerships with other businesses. In that scenario, your resume should highlight your collaboration and negotiation skills. Demonstrate an ability to identify and open new B2B sales channels.
What is the best sales director resume format?-
The reverse chronological format is the best choice for a sales director resume. As a seasoned professional, your background in sales and leadership will be a priority for hiring managers. This format type presents your professional experience first, emphasizing a stable background.
Alternatively, a combination resume can work well for those with senior-level experience who are looking to transfer into sales. Prioritizing your skills and education above your work history helps potential employers visualize how you could contribute even if you have limited sales experience.
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