Rahul Sharma

Senior B2B Sales professional with 18+ years driving revenue growth, building enterprise account portfolios, and scaling high-performing sales teams across media, SaaS, recruitment, and financial services. Proven track record closing six-figure deals, expanding key account revenue, and launching new business verticals. Strategic sales mindset combined with hands-on execution—known for consultative selling, pipeline management, and creating sustainable growth through customer-centric solutions.

Founder at Apparel Venture (2023-04 – 2026-06)

• Launched and scaled a direct-to-consumer apparel business from concept through market validation
• Managed full P&L including product sourcing, supplier negotiations, inventory planning, and customer fulfilment
• Key Takeaway: Reinforced entrepreneurial mindset, vendor management skills, and deep customer empathy—returning to corporate with sharper commercial instincts and fresh perspective

Assistant General Manager, Sales at Hindustan Media Ventures Limited (HT Group) (2015-09 – 2023-03)

Multi-Division Leadership Across Strategic Revenue Streams:

• Consumer Durables Division (April 2022 – March 2023): Managed high-value accounts including Appliances and Durables verticals
• Strategy Division (May 2021 – March 2022): Tasked with account turnaround—converting low market-share client relationships into profitable growth engines
• Brand Promotion Division (September 2015 – April 2021): Managed team of category managers across Delhi-NCR; mentored direct reports on consultative selling, account strategy, and revenue targets
• Identified and launched Education category as standalone revenue stream—built from zero to ₹1 crore within 2 years
• Additionally managed Branded Content business across Rajasthan & Kolkata regions—coordinated multi-location strategy
• Consistently achieved revenue and market share targets across all roles
• Built Education category as net-new revenue stream; scaled from launch to significant profit contributor
• Pioneered Branded Content offering for premium segment (MINT), establishing new margin-accretive business line

Group Head, Sales – Key Accounts at Reliance Broadcast Network Limited (92.7 BIG FM) (2014-08 – 2015-09)

Owned Key Accounts Division P&L for premium airtime solutions at India's leading FM radio station. Mentored and managed team of account managers; set performance standards and drove accountability.

• Key Accounts Managed: Dabur, Reckitt, OLX, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and others (Total: 20+ strategic accounts)
• Maintained strong market share and wallet growth across all allocated key accounts

Strategic Account Manager at Foundit.com (2011-01 – 2014-06)

Progression: Key Account Manager (Jan 2011–July 2013) → Strategic Account Manager (July 2013–June 2014)

• Managed enterprise customer portfolio worth ₹2+ crores annually
• Oversaw large enterprise clients; understood strategic HR & recruitment requirements; presented customized web-based SAAS recruitment solutions
• Facilitated clients with multi-country recruitment tools (US, UK, Europe, Asia-Pacific)
• Consistently achieved annual revenue targets; maintained 80%+ renewal rate

Business Development Manager, Training Solutions at NIS Sparta (2008-06 – 2010-12)

• Pitched behavioural and functional training solutions to new enterprise clients
• Managed backend training logistics (scheduling, post-training feedback, billing, reporting)
• Key Accounts Managed: Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL), Hero Honda, and others
• Managed and grew MSIL account 50%+ over tenure—largest account in region
• Closed complete Learning Management Process (LMP) deal with PepsiCo—enterprise-wide training platform

Senior Relationship Manager, Investment Advisory at India Bulls Securities Limited (2005-04 – 2008-05)

• Managed High Net-worth Individual (HNI) client portfolio; provided investment advisory services
• Sold Online Stock Trading Platform as SaaS to HNI
• Consistently achieved monthly revenue targets and client acquisition goals

MBA in Marketing – Indraprastha University

BSC – Delhi University