VP of Sales Resume Example and Writing Guide
- What should your VP of sales resume include?
- How to craft the professional summary
- How should you describe your work experience as a VP of sales?
- Include an education and certifications section
- Which key skills are relevant for a VP of sales resume?
- How to select the most impactful VP of sales resume template
- Copyable VP of sales resume example
- Key takeaways
Want to become a VP of Sales? Secure your spot in the executive suite with our comprehensive VP of sales resume example and guide.
A Vice President (VP) of Sales is a senior executive tasked with overseeing a company's sales team and crafting strategies to boost revenue growth. Usually part of the executive team and reporting directly to the CEO, the main responsibility is to create and execute a comprehensive sales strategy that aligns with the company's overall business goals. This involves identifying target markets, developing pricing strategies, and devising sales tactics to promote the company's products or services.
If you’re looking to lead a corporation’s sales strategy, a VP of sales role might be a perfect fit for you. That said, these high level executive roles are not easy to come by. You’re going to need to put your best foot forward and impress the hiring officials with an impressive resume to stand a chance.
Not sure how to position yourself for a VP of sales job in your resume? We outline everything you need to know in this resume example and writing guide.
Continue reading as we discuss:
What a VP of sales resume should include
How to structure the summary, work history, and education sections
Adding relevant skills to your VP of sales resume
Choosing the right resume template for a VP of sales
What should your VP of sales resume include?
The VP of sales plays a pivotal part in driving revenue and leading sales strategies. Therefore, your resume should clearly communicate your ability to manage sales teams, develop strategic plans, and meet sales targets.
Employers are seeking candidates who can demonstrate a track record of successful leadership and revenue growth. Your resume should showcase your expertise in managing sales teams, implementing sales strategies, executing business development initiatives, and achieving revenue objectives.
Be sure to incorporate these success factors into the following sections of your VP of sales resume:
Contact information
Professional summary
Key areas of expertise
Employment history
Education and certifications
How to craft the professional summary
The professional summary is your opportunity to make a strong first impression. Use this section to highlight your most compelling qualifications and set the tone for the entire resume.
Start with a statement that highlights your extensive experience and proficiency in sales management. In no more than five lines, outline major achievements and the strategic initiatives you have led.
Include specific areas of expertise such as consultative sales, market and territory development, sales pipeline management, and performance optimization. This not only showcases your capabilities but also aligns your skills with what the employer is looking for.
Ambitious, results-driven Sales and Business Development executive with proven success directing all aspects of high-growth sales and franchise operations in the real estate industry. Proven record of consistently exceeding sales goals, establishing long-term business relationships, and expanding sales territories to drive revenue. Talented communicator skilled in connecting with leadership, clients, and key stakeholders while motivating and mentoring top-performing teams.
How should you describe your work experience as a VP of sales?
When detailing your work history, arrange your previous positions in reverse chronological order, as recent roles are typically prioritized by recruiters. Include your job title, employer name, duration of employment, and location.
To emphasize your executive leadership qualities, provide specific details that highlight your influence in each role, such as the size of the sales teams you managed, the sales targets you set and met, and the strategies you implemented.
Follow each role’s scope paragraph with a bulleted list of achievements to emphasize your accomplishments and contributions. This is vital for demonstrating the value you bring and setting you apart from other candidates.
Use metrics to showcase your contributions, such as the percentage increase in sales, the number of new clients acquired, or the revenue generated.
Here’s an example of a strong accomplishment bullet for a VP of Sales:
Exceeded Q1 goal for franchise sales by 30%, securing 35% of total annual goal.
Area Vice President – West Region at RE/MAX, LLC, Denver, Colorado 2019 - Present
Hand-picked to direct strategy, operations, business development, and sales for company’s largest region—$35M in annual revenue across 830 franchise offices in 15 states with 15K+ sales associates.
Spearhead regional growth across strategic planning, territory development, market penetration, franchise sales / renewals, recruiting / retention, event planning, and relationship management.
Provide high-caliber advising to franchisees on business operations, marketing and sales tactics, financial models, technology adoption / utilization, and profitability / growth strategies.
Consult on market expansion, conversion, and merger opportunities.
Lead three Business Growth Consultants and four indirect reports, providing comprehensive training, coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
Serve as principal evangelist for RE/MAX affiliation and adoption of technology products, tools, and resources.
Present in-market training sessions and lead franchise owner meetings to advise on recruiting, retention, sales, brand marketing, advertising campaigns, profitability, and alternative revenue streams.
Exceeded Q1 goal for franchise sales by 30%, securing 35% of total annual goal.
Instrumental in implementing a new service / support model that improved franchise renewals process.
Rolled out high-touch, multi-faceted agent retention strategy to reduce churn.
Expanded franchise presence in target markets to propel brand awareness and foster market share growth.
Vice President – Southwest Region at RE/MAX, LLC, Denver, Colorado 2015 - 2019
Promoted to lead regional sales and operations for $5.2M region spanning 130 real estate franchises across three states; accountable for $1M operating budget.
Directed all aspects of regional operations and sales to drive market penetration, revenue generation, and EBITDA / profitability goals.
Held full P&L accountability, overseeing franchise sales and renewals, marketing activities, territory development, financial management, and regional event management.
Defined and implemented regional development strategies.
Pinpointed key target markets for franchise sales while evaluating market challenges and opportunities.
Ensured regional compliance with corporate policies and regulatory requirements.
Prepared regional budget forecasts and business plans; and drafted regional performance reports. Managed team of four.
Met or exceeded all goals, increasing revenue by 16% while cutting costs by 8% and 5% over two years.
Drove agent retention improvements, slashing attrition by 7%, and orchestrated renewals for 47 franchises.
Conceptualized and developed market-aligned, multi-channel (print, digital, social), branded advertising and promotional strategies and campaigns; forged prospecting and lead conversion techniques.
Pioneered franchise financial analysis framework to cut costs and drive revenue and introduced franchise payment plan model to mitigate financial losses.
Senior Franchise Development Consultant / Franchise Development Consultant at RE/MAX, LLC, Denver, Colorado 2012 - 2015
Rapidly advanced to senior-level role supporting franchises in business development and optimization.
Selected for field position following success in franchise brokerage management, serving as principal liaison between RE/MAX headquarters and territory franchise owners.
Consulted and advised on goal setting, business administration, and compliance.
Cultivated new franchise opportunities and oversaw franchise renewals throughout the territory, including territory accounts receivable (AR).
Partnered with franchise owners to consult on best-practices in the following areas: agent recruiting / retention / development, brokerage management and operations, P&L oversight, financial planning and modeling, franchise organization, operational efficiencies, marketing strategies, and new technologies.
Propelled regional revenue growth through focus on underperforming franchises.
Designed and delivered training sessions for 200+ attendees, including sessions on technology products, recruiting initiatives, membership benefits, and services; planned and managed major regional events.
Include an education and certifications section
While a bachelor's degree is often required, many employers prefer candidates with an MBA or other advanced degrees. But that doesn’t mean you’re automatically disqualified if you don’t have a postgraduate degree.
Showcase your academic achievements, including any relevant certifications or professional development training like leadership training or sales strategy workshops. This demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and staying abreast of industry trends and new sales tactics.
If you've held leadership roles in professional organizations like the American Association of Inside Sales Professionals (AA-ISP), be sure to highlight your active involvement and influence within the sales community.
Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, Business & Communications Concentration at Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
Which key skills are relevant for a VP of sales resume?
Employers are looking for senior level candidates who excel in strategic planning, team leadership, and sales performance analysis. Highlighting a blend of these skills, alongside technical proficiencies and interpersonal abilities, can make your resume stand out.
Integrate relevant keywords throughout your resume to demonstrate the practical application of these skills in real-world scenarios. This strategic approach enhances your performance in Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and strengthens your candidacy.
Here’s a list of key skills you could include in your VP of Sales resume:
Sales strategy development
Team leadership and mentoring
Market analysis and segmentation
Client relationship management
Revenue growth and profitability
Sales performance analysis
Negotiation and closing deals
Customizing your resume to align with the specific job description is imperative to optimizing your chances of landing the role.
How to select the most impactful VP of sales resume template
Choose a clean, professional template when crafting your VP of Sales resume. Opt for a layout that is easy to read and navigate, allowing recruiters to quickly grasp your career history and understand how you align with the role. A well-designed resume enhances your visibility amidst competition and leaves a positive impression on decision-makers.
Copyable VP of sales resume example
Summary example
Ambitious, results-driven Sales and Business Development executive with proven success directing all aspects of high-growth sales and franchise operations in the real estate industry. Proven record of consistently exceeding sales goals, establishing long-term business relationships, and expanding sales territories to drive revenue. Talented communicator skilled in connecting with leadership, clients, and key stakeholders while motivating and mentoring top-performing teams.
Employment history example
Area Vice President – West Region at RE/MAX, LLC, Denver, Colorado 2019 - Present
Hand-picked to direct strategy, operations, business development, and sales for company’s largest region—$35M in annual revenue across 830 franchise offices in 15 states with 15K+ sales associates.
Spearhead regional growth across strategic planning, territory development, market penetration, franchise sales / renewals, recruiting / retention, event planning, and relationship management.
Provide high-caliber advising to franchisees on business operations, marketing and sales tactics, financial models, technology adoption / utilization, and profitability / growth strategies.
Consult on market expansion, conversion, and merger opportunities.
Lead three Business Growth Consultants and four indirect reports, providing comprehensive training, coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
Serve as principal evangelist for RE/MAX affiliation and adoption of technology products, tools, and resources.
Present in-market training sessions and lead franchise owner meetings to advise on recruiting, retention, sales, brand marketing, advertising campaigns, profitability, and alternative revenue streams.
Exceeded Q1 goal for franchise sales by 30%, securing 35% of total annual goal.
Instrumental in implementing a new service / support model that improved franchise renewals process.
Rolled out high-touch, multi-faceted agent retention strategy to reduce churn.
Expanded franchise presence in target markets to propel brand awareness and foster market share growth.
Vice President – Southwest Region at RE/MAX, LLC, Denver, Colorado 2015 - 2019
Promoted to lead regional sales and operations for $5.2M region spanning 130 real estate franchises across three states; accountable for $1M operating budget.
Directed all aspects of regional operations and sales to drive market penetration, revenue generation, and EBITDA / profitability goals.
Held full P&L accountability, overseeing franchise sales and renewals, marketing activities, territory development, financial management, and regional event management.
Defined and implemented regional development strategies.
Pinpointed key target markets for franchise sales while evaluating market challenges and opportunities.
Ensured regional compliance with corporate policies and regulatory requirements.
Prepared regional budget forecasts and business plans; and drafted regional performance reports. Managed team of four.
Met or exceeded all goals, increasing revenue by 16% while cutting costs by 8% and 5% over two years.
Drove agent retention improvements, slashing attrition by 7%, and orchestrated renewals for 47 franchises.
Conceptualized and developed market-aligned, multi-channel (print, digital, social), branded advertising and promotional strategies and campaigns; forged prospecting and lead conversion techniques.
Pioneered franchise financial analysis framework to cut costs and drive revenue and introduced franchise payment plan model to mitigate financial losses.
Senior Franchise Development Consultant / Franchise Development Consultant at RE/MAX, LLC, Denver, Colorado 2012 - 2015
Rapidly advanced to senior-level role supporting franchises in business development and optimization.
Selected for field position following success in franchise brokerage management, serving as principal liaison between RE/MAX headquarters and territory franchise owners.
Consulted and advised on goal setting, business administration, and compliance.
Cultivated new franchise opportunities and oversaw franchise renewals throughout the territory, including territory accounts receivable (AR).
Partnered with franchise owners to consult on best-practices in the following areas: agent recruiting / retention / development, brokerage management and operations, P&L oversight, financial planning and modeling, franchise organization, operational efficiencies, marketing strategies, and new technologies.
Propelled regional revenue growth through focus on underperforming franchises.
Designed and delivered training sessions for 200+ attendees, including sessions on technology products, recruiting initiatives, membership benefits, and services; planned and managed major regional events.
Education example
Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, Business & Communications Concentration at Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
Skills example
Solution-Based & Consultative Sales
Technology Utilization & Adoption
Contract Development & Negotiations
Strategic Business & Sales Planning
Budget Planning & Administration
Market & Territory Development
Check out our vast selection of resume options tailored to your specific needs through our resume builder. Gain inspiration from our extensive collection of 500+ resume examples.
Key takeaways
Highlight your ability to manage sales teams and increase revenue.
Include quantifiable results to demonstrate your success and influence.
List pertinent educational background and certifications to establish your qualifications.
Use strategic keywords throughout your resume to enhance ATS compatibility and boost your chances.
Choose a clean and user-friendly layout to make your qualifications immediately clear.
