- Who are we?
- Organisation
- The job
- What are we looking for?
- What are we like to work for?
- What do we offer?
- What is the selection procedure?
- How do I apply?
Who are we?
Data Connection is one of the world's leading communications technology companies. Our leading-edge software and hardware products are used by some of the biggest names in the telecommunications and IT industry, such as BT, C&W International, AT&T, Sprint, Microsoft and Cisco.
As well as providing our customers with world-class products and services, we pride ourselves on providing our employees with an excellent work environment and outstanding benefits. For the past five years we have been one of the top fifteen companies in The Sunday Times '100 Best Companies To Work For'.
Our success is based on our ability (and dedication) to recruit outstandingly talented individuals, and train and develop them to fulfill their potential and aspirations. As a company, developing the skills and talents of our people is at the heart of what we do.
Started in 1981, we have grown from the seven founders to over 450 people, retaining the flexibility and vibrancy of a small organisation. Our main office is in Enfield Town (on the edge of North London), and we also have offices in Chester, Edinburgh, San Francisco and Washington DC.
We are a remarkably stable and profitable organisation. Revenue has grown every year with profit typically exceeding 20% of revenue. In our last financial year we made a profit of £11M on a revenue of over £59M.
Organisation
Data Connection is a growing, vibrant company with an ever-changing and evolving structure, which currently consists of
- our MetaSwitch switching and applications business
- our Network Protocols Division selling portable protocol stacks to OEMs
- service functions which support the business divisions and include
- accounts
- company systems
- computer facilities
- office services
- documentation
- personnel administration
- recruitment
- secretarial services
- community affairs.
The job
Our MetaSwitch division continues to grow rapidly and we want to augment our ability to win British and European telecom contracts by building our sales team. The successful candidate will be responsible for
- expanding business at all of our UK based customers including British Telecom, Cable & Wireless and smaller accounts
- addressing all other prospects from Tier 2s to very small telcos
- dealing with any other European business which fits our product capabilities
- agreeing target accounts and opportunities
- presenting products technically and demonstrating their business value to new and existing customers.
MetaSwitch has existing business with BT and C&W International. This gives the successful candidate both an initial pipeline and also good references for future business. The UK market for voice services is very competitive with a significant number of tier 2 and smaller players. Our Sales Director will identify the best targets and close significant new business within the first year.
By way of comparison, MetaSwitch is the dominant vendor in the North American market for next generation switching and business/residential applications. We have established this position by developing world-class products, providing unrivalled support and selling extremely effectively. This background and the excellent references we have achieved will further support expansion of our UK business.
The Sales Director will report to Ben Miller, Vice President of Sales (EMEA).
What are we looking for?
The ideal candidate is someone who
- is of graduate calibre
- has proven experience as a 'business closer' and a minimum of 5 years' sales experience
- has telecoms experience, ideally with selling voice related products to UK telcos
- knows how to sell to British Telecom and understands what it is like to sell to British Telecom.
We are looking for an individual with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, who can work well with both internal and external customers. They will also be
- dynamic and energetic
- able to work independently
- quick, bright, talented and adaptable.
The successful candidate will be based in our HQ in Enfield Town.
What are we like to work for?
We expect excellence and the highest level of professionalism from everyone. As the successful candidate, you will have a position at the heart of our operations and commercial affairs, and therefore have a significant role to play in maintaining our company standards.
Your performance and development will be discussed regularly with your manager. We believe in and encourage, free and open communications, exchange of ideas and mutual help. Personal considerations are always given their due weight and will dominate wherever possible.
What do we offer?
Our salaries are above the normal range to ensure that we attract candidates of exceptional quality. We will offer a very competitive starting package (including OTE) of up to £130,000, which could be exceeded by exceptional sales performance.
Salaries are reviewed regularly on the basis of performance; we believe that we are one of the few companies who really do pay employees in accordance with their contribution.
This claim is strengthened by our policy of profit distribution. Data Connection, and therefore its MetaSwitch division, is privately owned by top-tier investment firms Francisco Partners and Sequoia Capital, together with the Data Connection Employee Benefit Trust (EBT), which distributes a share of profit to all employees, equitably rewarding them for their contribution. In addition, the company operates an employee stock option plan which further provides ownership incentives to our people. This means that all employees have a stake in the future wealth that the company creates, and there is exceptional potential for the right candidate to increase remuneration over time.
All employees benefit from the following 'package', which is a combination of what you would expect from a modern, well-managed organisation - along with some unique features.
The benefits include the following.
- We provide excellent non-contributory pension, life assurance, permanent health insurance and private medical schemes.
- Within a very flexible framework, employees receive four weeks' paid holiday each year, rising to five weeks after one year's service, as well as statutory holidays. Employees may vary their holiday by up to two weeks either way at their request.
- There are various out-of-hours activities including an active squash league and other sports and social events. We have corporate membership of the local tennis, squash, health and golf clubs.
- For those interested in cultural events, tickets for theatre and concert trips are frequently organised.
- There are also regular company outings (in Spring 2008 we were skiing in Courchevel, France).
In terms of personal development, we offer the opportunity to do an interesting and demanding job in a well-managed and very successful company. Despite being established for over 27 years, we are a young dynamic organisation with an outstanding record of getting the best out of people - which is why our staff retention is exceptionally high.
What is the selection procedure?
Recruitment at Data Connection is designed to be thorough and tough, yet informative and friendly.
You will normally be asked to come for two visits. The first will be a half-day interview at our Enfield Office when you will be asked to complete a number of short exercises. If you are successful, we will invite you back for a full day session to meet more people and complete a number of further exercises to assess your suitability for the role.
How do I apply?
Please send a comprehensive CV (including all academic grades) to our email address .
If you have any further questions or queries please contact
Kay Crosbie
Recruiter
Data Connection Ltd
100 Church Street
Enfield
EN2 6BQ
Tel: 020 8366 1177
email:
web: www.dataconnection.com
We look forward to hearing from you.