Job
Sales Manager
- Department
- Sales & Marketing / Management
- Earning potential
- £35,000–£70,000
- Training time
- Experience-led; typically several years in sales
Sales managers lead the teams that help customers choose new homes and turn development sales plans into results.
What I really love about my job is the fact that you get to deal with so many different people from day to day
Michelle
Sales Manager introduction
Sales managers lead the teams that help customers choose new homes and turn development sales plans into results.
The role of a sales manager in house building
A sales manager is responsible for the performance of a house builder’s sales team across one or more residential developments. They set priorities, monitor enquiries, reservations and completions, and support sales advisors to provide a consistent customer experience. Working with marketing, construction, legal and customer service colleagues, they help make sure information given to buyers is accurate and that sales activity reflects the progress of each development. They also identify where coaching, pricing discussions or changes to sales activity could improve results.
A day in the life of a sales manager
A typical day may include reviewing sales forecasts and reservation reports, visiting a development to coach advisors and discussing buyer feedback with the marketing team. You might work with site managers to confirm build milestones, resolve a complex sales issue and prepare a performance update for regional leadership.
Skills for a sales manager
Sales managers need to turn customer insight and development-level data into clear decisions for their teams.
- Team leadership — Coaches advisors and creates consistent standards across sales locations.
- Sales forecasting — Uses enquiry, reservation and completion data to anticipate performance.
- Customer focus — Protects the buyer experience while working towards sales targets.
- Commercial awareness — Understands pricing, incentives and the effect of sales pace on developments.
- Cross-team coordination — Keeps sales, build, legal and customer service teams aligned.
- Problem-solving — Resolves escalated issues and adjusts plans when market conditions change.
Routes into sales manager work
A common route is from sales advisor to senior sales advisor and then sales manager. Some people move into new-homes sales management after managing teams in estate agency or other property-related sales. Employers generally look for a record of sales delivery, strong people skills and knowledge of the residential buying process.
Qualifications and training
A degree is not always essential. Management training, sales qualifications and relevant apprenticeships can be useful. The National Careers Service outlines routes into sales management, including progression from supervisory work. The Institute of Sales Professionals provides resources for developing professional sales skills.
Sales Manager pay and earning potential
The National Careers Service gives a broad sales-manager range of £28,000–£70,000. For house building we give £35,000–£70,000 as an indicative range for established managers, not a verified sector-wide pay band. Regional responsibility, bonus and commission arrangements can materially change total earnings.
Career progression
Sales managers often progress from senior sales advisor roles. With experience managing larger regions, teams and budgets, a potential longer-term move is sales and marketing director. The precise titles and responsibilities vary by house builder.
Explore our career progression guide for more ways to develop your career in house building.
Find sales manager opportunities
Find house builders recruiting people who can develop sales teams, maintain a high-quality buying experience and manage development performance.
Sales Manager FAQs
A sales manager leads the sales function for one or more developments, supporting advisors and overseeing the activity needed to meet sales objectives.
They manage sales teams, review reservations and forecasts, coach staff, coordinate with other departments and help maintain customer service standards.
Many people progress from sales advisor and senior sales advisor positions after developing a strong sales record and leadership skills.
Not always. Relevant sales experience and management ability are often important; qualifications and training can support progression.
A senior advisor focuses mainly on direct sales and mentoring. A sales manager has broader responsibility for team performance, targets and reporting.
A guide for established house building sales managers is £35,000–£70,000 a year, with incentive pay varying by employer and role.
Sales Manager career path
- Senior Sales Manager
- Sales & Marketing Director