Vice presidents of sales must have strong leadership skills and be competitive.
Vice presidents of sales are in charge of leading a company's direct sales and marketing initiatives, according to Payscale. They develop monthly and annual sales quota goals for a company and determine the best way to reach these revenue objectives. As members of a company's executive team, they must have strong leadership skills and often report to the company's chief executive officer.
Duties
Vice presidents of sales are responsible for determining the best selling methods for a company's products and services and the effectiveness of these methods, according to HRVillage. They supervise field sales and inside sales/telemarketing activities. These executives must ensure the company is competitive in its specialized market and often work with an organization's marketing, finance and manufacturing departments, according to Sevin Rosen Funds, a venture capital firm. They also are in charge of developing and managing the organization's sales budget and overseeing important client accounts.
Other Tasks
Another chief responsibility of vice presidents of sale is supervising the preparation and delivery of sales promotion programs and literature. In addition, these executives hire, train and supervise sales staff. They establish employee compensation/commission plans and other sales incentive programs such as those for bonuses. They also work directly with a variety of customers, aim to meet their needs and work to increase the size of a company's customer base, according to Derby Management in Massachusetts, a business management coaching firm.
Skills
Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills along with solid contracting and negotiation skills are critical for vice presidents of sales. These professionals also must be able to lead team meetings, motivate employees and handle multiple projects at the same time. In addition, vice presidents of sales must have strong computer skills for managing sales database tracking programs and must manage time well. They additionally should have strong customer service skills and be adaptable to change. These high-ranking individuals should be analytical and have strong active listening skills as well.
Education
Employers often look for vice presidents of sales who have several years of sales or director/manager of sales experience as well as experience in the company's particular industry or market. They also must have a college degree, usually a bachelor's or master's degree in a field such as marketing, business administration, liberal arts or a specialized industry area, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Outlook
Employment of top executives such as vice presidents of sales is projected to climb the most in fast-growing industries such as health services, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Competition for a growing number of goods and services will spark opportunities in the sales field. Vice presidents of sales in 2010 earned between $119,697 and $222,867, reports Payscale.
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