Arulean Air LLC is seeking a VP Sales to serve as the primary client-facing sales professional in the Southern California territory. Per industry convention in private aviation, the "VP" title reflects client-facing seniority; the core mission of this role is direct relationship building with high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and corporate clients, driving pipeline growth, and closing high-value contracts. The ideal candidate brings deep connections within the SoCal affluent market — spanning entertainment, real estate, finance, sports, and technology — and combines consultative selling skills with the sophistication required to represent a premium aviation brand.
Key Responsibilities
1. Client Acquisition & Relationship Management
- Develop and manage a portfolio of HNWI and corporate client relationships within the SoCal territory
- Conduct consultative, solution-oriented sales — proposing tailored private aviation solutions aligned to each client's lifestyle and business needs, not simply selling flights
- Make initial contact with leads handed off from Inside Sales within 24 hours
- Build and expand relationships through personal networking, industry events, and Arulean Air's affinity partnerships
- Nurture long-term client relationships to drive retention, renewals, and referrals
2. Pipeline & Quota Management
- Own and deliver individual territory revenue and pipeline targets
- Maintain a disciplined sales cadence: prospecting, lead follow-up, proposal development, negotiation, and close
- Keep the territory pipeline consistently healthy across volume, quality, and velocity
- Log all client touchpoints, deal stages, and forecast data in CRM with accuracy and timeliness
- Report pipeline, progress, and challenges to Head of Sales in weekly 1-on-1s
3. Proposal & Negotiation
- Prepare and deliver compelling proposals and presentations to prospective clients
- Negotiate high-value contracts with sophistication and integrity
- Articulate the performance, features, and competitive advantages of both program aircraft, the HondaJet HA-420 (light jet) and the Bombardier Challenger 3500 (super-midsize), clearly and persuasively
- Coordinate with CSO on program content, pricing, and competitive positioning as needed
4. Territory & Market Development
- Leverage deep knowledge of SoCal affluent market segments: entertainment, technology, real estate, finance, sports
- Identify and pursue new prospect pools through industry-specific networking, community involvement, and strategic partnerships
- Maintain current knowledge of key SoCal airports (VAN, BUR, SMO, LGB, HHR, SNA, SAN, CMA, etc.) and regional travel patterns
- Monitor competitive activity within the territory and report insights to Head of Sales and CSO
5. Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Head of Sales: Weekly 1-on-1s for pipeline review, territory strategy, and key deal consultation
- CSO: Coordinate on program content, pricing, and competitive responses
- Inside Sales: Receive lead handoffs; record contact results and prospect temperature in CRM for feedback loop
- Marketing Manager: Co-plan SoCal local events and provide prospect insights to inform campaign design
- CEO: Request executive-level support for key client meetings through Head of Sales
6. Compliance
- Strictly comply with company disclosure restrictions — do not disclose undisclosed program details even to clients
- Maintain ethical sales practices and uphold Arulean Air's brand standards in every client interaction
- Escalate unclear or sensitive client questions to Head of Sales or CSO immediately
Required Qualifications
Experience
- 7+ years of progressive sales experience in a high-value, relationship-driven environment
- Minimum 3 years of direct client-facing sales in private aviation, fractional ownership, charter brokerage, luxury real estate, financial services, or comparable luxury/HNWI market
- Proven track record of consistently meeting or exceeding individual revenue quotas
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with C-suite executives, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals
- Existing network within the Southern California affluent community strongly preferred
Skills & Competencies
- Consultative Selling: Ability to diagnose client needs and propose tailored solutions rather than transactional selling
- Relationship Building: Exceptional interpersonal skills with the credibility and sophistication to engage HNWI and executive-level clients
- Negotiation: Proven ability to navigate complex, high-value contract negotiations with integrity
- Product Knowledge: Ability to articulate the performance, features, and competitive advantages of the HondaJet HA-420 (light jet) and the Bombardier Challenger 3500 (super-midsize), and to match each client mission to the right aircraft; private aviation industry knowledge required
- CRM Discipline: Proficiency in Salesforce or comparable CRM platforms with strong data hygiene habits
- Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills; polished presentation ability
- Self-Direction: Ability to manage a territory independently with minimal supervision while maintaining alignment with organizational goals
- Market Knowledge: Deep understanding of the SoCal affluent landscape, key industries, lifestyle patterns, and networking venues
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field required
- MBA or advanced degree preferred