Should I mention industry experience in the job ad?

If your industry is specialized (pharmaceuticals, fintech, manufacturing), mention it as nice-to-have. For general B2B sales, strong fundamentals and coachability often outweigh industry-specific knowledge. Be explicit: 'industry experience preferred but not required.'

How do I pitch Pensum in the ad?

Always use percentage (e.g. '80–100% Pensum'). Swiss candidates understand this standard. If flexible, say so: '100% Pensum, part-time negotiable for exceptional candidates.' If travel or evening client events are expected, mention the realistic workload upfront.

What if we don't have a formal sales strategy yet?

Be honest. Reframe it as: 'We're scaling our sales operation and need a leader to build strategy from the ground up.' Emphasize entrepreneurial opportunity, not gaps. Strong candidates often prefer shaping strategy to executing a fixed plan.

Job Description Template: Head of Sales

This template helps you write a clear, actionable job ad for a Head of Sales role in Switzerland. It covers what the role does, day-to-day responsibilities, must-have and nice-to-have skills, and what compensation and benefits to advertise. Adapt the Pensum percentage, location (canton/city), language requirements, and salary range to match your company.

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A Head of Sales leads your revenue generation. They build and manage the sales team, develop strategy, set targets, and drive deal closure. This template suits companies in any canton looking to hire a sales leader.

Use this template as a starting point. Replace placeholder details with your own business facts, location, and compensation. Always name your canton and city; Swiss candidates expect clarity on where they'll work.

The Role

The Head of Sales reports to the founder or managing director and owns revenue targets, sales strategy, and team performance. You'll recruit, train, and mentor sales staff, manage pipelines, and represent the company to key clients.

This person combines strategic planning with hands-on execution. They adapt quickly to market changes, solve problems pragmatically, and model the discipline they expect from their team.

Build and lead a high-performing sales team from scratch or expand an existing one
Develop a sales strategy aligned with company growth targets and market conditions
Own monthly and annual revenue targets; report progress to leadership
Manage customer relationships, negotiate contracts, and close major deals
Identify new market opportunities and optimize the sales process
Monitor competitor activity and recommend pricing or positioning adjustments

Must-Have Requirements

Look for candidates with proven sales leadership experience. In Switzerland, check for a track record closing deals, managing teams, and hitting targets in a similar industry or market segment.

Language ability is crucial. Specify whether German, French, or Italian is essential (based on your canton and client base). English is often expected for international roles.

5+ years in B2B sales, with at least 3 years in a leadership or management role
Demonstrated success hitting or exceeding revenue targets consistently
Experience recruiting and coaching sales teams; strong people management skills
German (or regional language) fluency; specify other languages (French, English, Italian) if required
Problem-solving mindset and resilience in competitive markets
Willingness to travel within Switzerland and occasionally abroad for client meetings

Nice-to-Have & What We Offer

Candidates with CRM experience (Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive) are a plus. Industry-specific knowledge or a network in your region accelerates success, but coachability matters more than perfect background fit.

Be transparent about compensation, benefits, and Pensum. State your canton and city clearly. Include base salary range in CHF, bonus structure, and any relocation support. Swiss candidates value clarity on vacation days, 13th-month bonus eligibility, and whether a car allowance applies.

Base salary CHF [X–Y] depending on experience; performance-based bonus aligned to targets
Pensum [X–Y]% (e.g. 80–100%); specify flexible working arrangements if available
Vacation [X days]; 13th-month bonus if standard in your company or industry
Professional development budget; LinkedIn Sales Navigator or similar tools provided
Location: [City, Canton]; home office policy clearly stated
Other: car allowance, health insurance top-up, or team events (adapt to your offer)

Frequently asked questions

Should I mention industry experience in the job ad?: If your industry is specialized (pharmaceuticals, fintech, manufacturing), mention it as nice-to-have. For general B2B sales, strong fundamentals and coachability often outweigh industry-specific knowledge. Be explicit: 'industry experience preferred but not required.'
How do I pitch Pensum in the ad?: Always use percentage (e.g. '80–100% Pensum'). Swiss candidates understand this standard. If flexible, say so: '100% Pensum, part-time negotiable for exceptional candidates.' If travel or evening client events are expected, mention the realistic workload upfront.
What if we don't have a formal sales strategy yet?: Be honest. Reframe it as: 'We're scaling our sales operation and need a leader to build strategy from the ground up.' Emphasize entrepreneurial opportunity, not gaps. Strong candidates often prefer shaping strategy to executing a fixed plan.

General information for Swiss employers, not legal advice. Have a lawyer confirm anything with legal consequences.