Avena is a market-leading provider of secure destruction solutions across the UK and Europe. Through our specialist service lines; SECURALL, SECUREBRAND and SECURETECH we safeguard organisations against data breaches, criminal activity and brand dilution, while supporting their sustainability and compliance objectives with innovative end of life programmes.


Entrepreneurial at our core, we operate with pace, agility and a strong commercial mindset. Guided by our organisational vision, Secure the Future, we deliver trusted, future-focused solutions to clients ranging from local SME’s to national enterprises to global brands.


The Opportunity
This is a senior strategic appointment at a pivotal stage in Avena’s growth. Reporting to the Business Development Director, the Head of Sales will define and execute the commercial strategy across the UK and Europe, driving revenue growth, margin performance and market expansion.


You will lead a committed, long-tenured commercial organisation, elevate capability across Sales and Marketing and play a key role in shaping Avena’s next phase of evolution. This role combines strategic influence with operational ownership; ideal for a leader who thrives in high-growth, high-accountability environments.
Key Areas of Leadership
· Strategic Direction: Develop and execute a multi-year sales strategy aligned to corporate goals ensuring predictable, scalable revenue growth.
· Commercial Performance: Own the full commercial pipeline, forecasting, performance analytics and senior-level reporting.
· Market Growth: Identify, evaluate and secure new market opportunities, partnerships and strategic accounts.
· Team Leadership: Lead, develop and expand a high-performing Sales, Account Management and Marketing function, building capability and succession.
· Cross-Functional Influence: Partner with Operations and Shared Services to drive integrated, data-driven commercial outcomes.
· Executive Engagement: Provide the Board with insights, intelligence and recommendations to support strategic decision-making.
Executive Profile
You are an accomplished commercial leader with the presence, credibility and strategic acumen to operate at executive level while maintaining a strong command of operational delivery.
You bring clarity, decisiveness & financial discipline and you know how to build empowered, high-performing teams.
Essential Expertise
· Proven success in a senior sales leadership role (Head of Sales, Sales Director or equivalent)
· Demonstrable track record of delivering sustained revenue and margin performance
· Strong financial and analytical capability, including forecasting and commercial modelling
· Leadership experience within B2B professional services
· Exceptional communication, negotiation and influencing skills
· Ability to operate effectively within dynamic, fast-growth environments
Desirable Experience
· Growth-phase team scaling and organisational development
· Leadership within the East of England commercial landscape
· Experience with SaaS/portal-enabled sales channels
· Expertise in secure destruction, waste, environmental and/or textiles-related sectors
Executive Package
· £70,000–£120,000 OTE
· Executive car or allowance
· Relocation support
· Growth-by-Sharing profit scheme
· Defined path for further executive progression