What is a Head of Sales (HOS)?
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering… “What’s the difference between a HOS and a CSO?” We get it. There’s confusion and overlap between various sales titles used at different organizations. What’s more, titles are often changing and adapting to industry trends.
The fast-growing, competitive nature of the SaaS industry has created an environment where new titles are needed to accommodate for completely new positions. What’s more, (slightly) different titles – à la Sales Development Rep vs. Business Development Rep – are created to sound more relevant, modern, and in line with company values and culture.
If you’re new to all this sales jargon, look no further! We’ve got you covered. Keep reading to find out exactly what the head of sales does, average salary for HOSs, career outlook, and available HOS jobs.
In sales, the acronym HOS generally stands for Head of Sales. HOSs lead the overall direction and strategy for the company’s sales team, align sales processes to meet and exceed KPIs, and manage people and teams to help them perform their best.
Head of Sales Job Description
Senior sales management has the responsibility of leading sales and new business growth for the entire organization. Their roles are directly tied to revenue and managing many people, and therefore comes with a lot of challenges and opportunities.
The head of sales sets the overall direction and strategy for the company’s sales team, aligns sales processes to meet and exceed KPIs, and manages people and teams to help them perform their best. HOSs aren’t necessarily taking sales calls or closing deals, but rather supporting and directing the sales engine within their company.
HOSs may also act as thought leaders within the sales industry, specifically within the intersection of sales and their company’s industry. Responsibilities may include speaking engagements, participating in conference panel discussions, and sharing insights via webinars and podcasts. During these presentations, senior sales executives also share and represent their companies.
Head of Sales Salary
The average head of sales salary in the United States is $129,000 annually, with an additional $21,500 per year in commission (source: Indeed).
HOS Career Outlook
With the abundance of automation, software, and online marketing tools available on the market today, it may be worth wondering if sales positions will still be growing in a few years.
If you’re looking to grow your career in the sales industry, don’t worry – as the market outlook for sales executives is positive! 8% growth is projected for sales executive opportunities through 2030, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Head of Sales Jobs
Looking for available HOS jobs? Here are a few resources to help your search:
Which sales role is right for me?
The right sales role for you depends on your experience and expertise, but sales can be a good industry to get your start if you are entering the job market for the first time!
Some key characteristics of great sales and customer support professionals include:
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Great communicators
- Passion for what they are selling
- Willingness to roll up their sleeves and get the job done
- No fear calling and following-up with potential clients
- Positive attitude
- Creative and passionate about helping others
- Ability to multi-task across different platforms and forms of communication
- Ability to work well under pressure and with a team
Does this sound like you? Kixie is hiring, and we’d love to hear from you! We are looking for jovial, hard-working colleagues to share our journey as we change the landscape of business telephony.
