Role search
Get a Part-time Sales Manager who can own daily sales rep activities.
Direct headhunting, shaped around the work. We clarify the assignment, research relevant people and explain the judgment behind each recommendation.
No upfront fee. You pay only if you engage someone we present.
Interim Headhunters starts with the work behind this request: A part-time sales manager manages the daily behavior of your sales representatives. Where a fractional VP designs the strategy and infrastructure, the manager enforces the execution of that plan.
This is what we do all day: place interim executives, interim managers and contract professionals.
Need someone now? Call 305-306-4829.
- No upfront fee
- Assignment-led headhunting
- Relevant experience and current capacity
- You make the final decision
- Part-time Sales Manager
The judgment call
What this hire really comes down to
A part-time sales manager manages the daily behavior of your sales representatives. Where a fractional VP designs the strategy and infrastructure, the manager enforces the execution of that plan. They inspect the pipeline for accuracy, ensuring that every opportunity represents a real conversation rather than optimistic filler. You need this person to stop the cycle of rep turnover that comes from poor supervision. If your reps lack structure, they drift toward reactive work.
This role requires a practitioner who sits in the seat with your team to review every call and email. They shift the focus from activity metrics to outcomes like conversion rates and deal stage velocity. They make the difficult choices regarding who stays and who goes based on objective performance data. You gain a supervisor who identifies skill gaps early, providing specific coaching to close those gaps. They own the daily discipline that ensures your sales process actually functions as intended across every member of your team.
What we check
What we check before you see anyone
- We verify candidates have managed teams of at least three reps for a minimum of two years. We look for proof that they have successfully coached an underperformer to meet quota, or made the decision to terminate them when performance did not improve. We ignore candidates who only managed through delegation.
- We audit their history in CRM management. We require specific examples of how they set up lead status workflows and activity tracking to hold reps accountable. We check that they can build reports that expose exactly which reps are failing to follow the agreed-upon sales process.
- We confirm their experience with your exact sales model, whether it is high-volume transactional sales or a longer, complex B2B cycle. We look for evidence that they have managed the specific friction points common to your industry. We test their ability to explain why a particular deal stalled in their previous team.
- We validate their comfort level working as a part-time asset. We look for individuals who demonstrate clear boundaries and a disciplined approach to their time. We confirm they know how to communicate results to you in short, actionable updates rather than long, vague reports.
Sourcing
Where we find them
We target former sales managers who have spent years in the trenches at mid-sized firms. These individuals often transition to part-time roles because they prefer the hands-on management of a team over the administrative requirements of a large corporation. They seek the flexibility of managing a specific, smaller group while maintaining their expertise in high-performance sales cultures.
Our search includes high-performing account executives who are ready to transition into people management but want to maintain their direct influence on sales results. These candidates possess deep, current knowledge of outreach techniques and CRM navigation. They move toward this work because they find the challenge of fixing broken sales teams more engaging than hitting their own individual quota. They possess the recent practical experience needed to immediately coach your reps.
Where searches go wrong
Mistakes we see
- Owners frequently hire someone who was a top-performing individual contributor but has no experience in managing others. You end up with a rep who does your selling but ignores the task of building a process for the rest of the team.
- Companies hire a part-time manager for too few hours. If the manager cannot check the CRM and review call logs at least three times a week, they cannot provide the oversight necessary to change team habits. Short-term bursts of management rarely fix long-term process failures.
- Hiring managers often ignore the need for technical proficiency in your specific CRM. If your new manager spends their first three months learning how to build a basic dashboard, your momentum dies. We only look for candidates who can operate your system immediately.
The search
How the Part-time Sales Manager search runs
- First, we define the exact constraints of your sales process and the specific behaviors your reps currently lack. We categorize the gaps in your team, whether those involve poor lead qualification, insufficient activity, or an inability to close. This allows us to find a manager with the exact background to correct your specific team's habits.
- Second, we screen for managers who can prove they have used data to drive behavior. We ask them to describe the specific reports they use to manage a team. We demand they explain the difference between a process issue and a talent issue using examples from their past work history.
- Third, we introduce candidates who match your firm's culture and the intensity you expect from your sales force. We manage the interview process to focus on the reality of your current team's performance. You decide based on their concrete plan to fix your immediate pipeline issues.
Questions
How does a part-time manager differ from a fractional VP?
A VP creates the strategy and the sales playbook. A part-time manager enforces that playbook and handles the daily coaching of your reps.
Can this person fix a team that misses quota every month?
Yes, if the issue is a lack of management and process. They will establish discipline and replace underperformers who do not respond to coaching.
Will they handle the CRM administration?
They will manage the data, reporting, and activity tracking. They ensure your reps use the CRM correctly to provide you with clear visibility.
What is the fee structure for this role?
No upfront fee. You pay only if you hire.
What replacement terms apply?
We offer a candidate replacement guarantee on standard search agreements. The applicable period and exact terms are set out in the signed client recruiting agreement.
How are recruiting fees agreed?
No upfront fee. You pay only if you engage someone we present. We scope the assignment before quoting; the fee page explains our model.
How soon can we see options?
Availability depends on the assignment and the people who fit it. We qualify interest and commitments rather than promising a shortlist date before the search is scoped.
What if the scope grows?
Discuss new responsibilities before adding them to the engagement. Agree the priorities and record any change to the brief and terms.
Can we extend an engagement?
Discuss what remains unfinished and whether the same responsibility is still needed. Extensions depend on the person's commitments and the agreed engagement terms.
Can the appointment become permanent?
A permanent move can be discussed if both sides want it. Review the future role and the applicable agreement instead of assuming that temporary coverage automatically converts.
How is a confidential search handled?
Tell us what can be disclosed and whom we must not contact. We agree those boundaries before approaching people; do not send sensitive records with an initial brief.
What are the replacement terms?
We offer a candidate replacement guarantee on standard search agreements. The applicable period and exact terms are set out in the signed client recruiting agreement.
What do you not do?
We do not sell job-board reposting as a search or bill hourly for recruiting work. We do not take a retainer unless expressly agreed, and an introduction does not authorize an engagement.
Tell us the seat
No upfront fee. You pay only if you hire. Share the title, the situation and the timing. A person reads it.
Part-time Sales Manager by industry and related roles
Need the team under this role?
All industries
- Private Equity & Portfolio Companies
- Distribution, Logistics & Supply Chain
- Technology, SaaS & Software
- Consumer, Retail & E-commerce
- Professional & Business Services
- Family-Owned & Owner-Led Businesses
- Venture-Backed & High-Growth Companies