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Executive Search

Executive Search for Senior Sales, Business Development, Account Management & Customer Success Leaders

Proven executive search methodology

Finding exceptional senior commercial talent demands insight, precision, and a tailored executive search strategy.

At Zero Surplus, we specialise exclusively in hiring senior leaders across Sales, Business Development, Account Management and Customer Success, helping ambitious organisations across the South of England secure the leadership that drives growth.

With decades of combined experience in commercial recruitment, our executive search team understands what defines a high-performing commercial leader, from their strategic approach and commercial acumen to their ability to inspire teams, build pipelines, close enterprise deals and retain key revenue.

We take a consultative, retained approach to executive search, working closely with your leadership team to define the role, expectations and outcomes. Using advanced search technology, we proactively engage senior commercial professionals beyond standard agency reach, approaching candidates discreetly and presenting only genuine fits. Our pricing is clear and transparent, and every appointment is backed by extended replacement guarantees to give long-term confidence in the hire.

Strategic role discovery & definition

We clarify responsibilities, expectations and outcomes with your leadership team.

Targeted executive search

We headhunt senior commercial talent using advanced search tools.

Discreet candidate engagement

We approach passive candidates and present only true fits.

Transparent retained model

Clear pricing, retained delivery and extended replacement guarantees.

Our extensive network

Our network includes thousands of senior-level commercial professionals, from seasoned revenue leaders to transformational customer success strategists.

Sales Leadership

  • Sales Director
  • Head of Sales
  • Regional Sales Director
  • National Sales Director / Manager
  • Commercial Director
  • VP of Sales
  • Chief Sales Officer (CSO)
  • Sales Operations Director

Business Development Leadership

  • Business Development Director
  • Head of Business Development
  • Strategic Partnerships Director
  • Enterprise Business Development Lead / Manager
  • VP of Business Development
  • Chief Business Development Officer
  • New Business Director

Account Management Leadership

  • Account Director
  • Head of Account Management
  • Key Account Director / Manager
  • Client Services Director
  • VP of Account Management
  • Global Account Director
  • Strategic Account Director

Customer Success Leadership

  • Customer Success Director
  • Head of Customer Success
  • Senior Client Success Manager
  • Customer Success Operations Lead / Manager
  • VP of Customer Success
  • Chief Customer Officer (CCO)
  • Customer Experience Director

Our reach spans industries including Retail, FMCG, Technology, SaaS, Engineering, Industrial, Professional Services and more.

Meet the Team

Joby Read

Joby Read

Director

After a 10 year career in media sales from classifieds in the beauty industry to commercial manager for a leading consumer music magazine, Joby switched to recruitment and worked his way from an entry level recruiter to the Head of Recruitment for our sister company Brand Recruitment.

After a 10 year career in media sales from classifieds in the beauty industry to commercial manager for a leading consumer music magazine, Joby switched to recruitment and worked his way from an entry level recruiter to the Head of Recruitment for our sister company Brand Recruitment.

Following on from this he launched Zero Surplus as the premier targeted sales recruiter for the East of England. Joby’s skills lie in working on and filling more specialist or hard to fill assignments, and naturally anything related to advertising, media or publishing. Previous hires have included Global Media Sales Manager, Head of Advertising Sales, Director of Inside Sales, and International Sales Directors.

If you have a role other people have said is not fillable, or that your expectations are too specific, this is the type of position that Joby finds challenging and interesting, although his ability means he is equally able to source the right personality for any senior sales management role.

Chris Jacobs

Chris Jacobs

Associate Director

Chris has 8 years recruitment experience, which combined with having also worked in multiple sales positions throughout his career ranging from executive to director gives him experience across both sides of the table.

Chris has 8 years recruitment experience, which combined with having also worked in multiple sales positions throughout his career ranging from executive to director gives him experience across both sides of the table.

Chris brings a wealth of experience in client-side management alongside interpersonal skills to make any candidate feel comfortable and valued. Well versed at market mapping, head hunting, executive search and contract-based recruitment, Chris makes sure to understand the requirement of each client and candidate, matching the two perfectly.

A strong networker with a persistently positive demeanour, he builds lasting relationships built on trust and deliverability on promises made. Challenging roles and specialist positions are his forte and is not afraid to ask the hard questions to make sure each placement is a lasting career move. Outside of work Chris struggles to keep up with his multiple hobbies, whilst also producing music in his home studio under his band name CymphoniK.

From an executive search perspective in the sales and business development sector, he has worked on roles such as Head of Sales, Sales Director, Chief Commercial Officer and VP of Sales. If you are looking for somebody to guide the commercial function of your business, or an international distributor network, Chris would be able to help you source the perfect industry background.

Get started today

Our focus is simple - to source outstanding commercial talent that drives growth, strengthens relationships and supports the long-term profitability of your business.

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Executive Search FAQs

What is executive search for sales and commercial roles?

An executive search is a targeted recruitment process focused on senior-level appointments in Sales, Business Development, Account Management, and Customer Success. Unlike traditional recruitment, it involves proactive headhunting, market mapping, and direct engagement with passive candidates to ensure you hire the best talent available.

Which senior roles do you recruit for?

We specialise in senior commercial appointments, including:

  • Sales: Sales Director, Head of Sales, Regional Sales Director, National Sales Manager, Commercial Director
  • Business Development: Business Development Director, Head of Business Development, Strategic Partnerships Director, Enterprise BDM Lead
  • Account Management: Account Director, Head of Account Management, Key Account Director, Client Services Director
  • Customer Success: Customer Success Director, Head of Customer Success, Client Success Manager (Senior), Customer Success Operations Lead
Which industries do you cover?

We recruit across a broad range of sectors, including Technology, SaaS, Engineering, Industrial, FMCG, Retail, Professional Services, and more. Our deep market knowledge ensures we can identify leaders who will deliver measurable impact in your sector.

What makes Zero Surplus different from other executive search firms?**
  1. We specialise exclusively in Sales, Business Development, Account Management, and Customer Success, meaning we understand the nuances of these disciplines.
  2. We offer transparent retained fees
  3. Our network and technology allow us to reach candidates that other agencies cannot access.
  4. We provide generous replacement periods and ongoing support to ensure long-term success.
How long does an executive search take?

While timelines vary depending on role complexity, seniority, and market availability, most searches take between 6 to 12 weeks from initial briefing to offer acceptance. We provide regular updates throughout the process to keep your hiring team informed.

Can you recruit executive positions beyond the South of England?

Yes. Whilst we predominantly operate  across Cambridge, Oxford, Milton Keynes, London, Hertfordshire, Essex, and the wider South and East of England, we can support executive level roles across the UK and internationally.

How can I get started?

Simply get in touch via the contact buttons above to schedule a consultation. We’ll discuss your requirements, review the role and your business objectives, and outline how our executive search process can deliver the right senior commercial leader for your team.