Contract Hire Executive Jobs

The Contract Hire Executive is central to the fleet and business vehicle market in the UK. Responsible for selling contract hire and vehicle leasing solutions to business customers ranging from sole traders and SMEs through to corporate fleet operators, the role combines consultative B2B sales skill with a thorough understanding of vehicle funding products, fleet economics, manufacturer support programmes and total cost of ownership analysis.

Contract hire is consistently the most common method by which UK businesses acquire and operate their vehicle fleets. The Contract Hire Executive who can articulate the financial and operational benefits of a monthly rental solution, structure a competitive deal, win and retain accounts and build a sustainable pipeline of business is one of the most commercially productive professionals in the automotive sector.

Venatu recruits Contract Hire Executives for permanent and contract roles across vehicle leasing companies, contract hire funders, franchised dealerships, fleet sales operations and automotive financial services businesses throughout the UK. This role sits within our car dealership and truck and van recruitment divisions. Explore the full range of fleet and sales roles on our job map.

Who We Recruit For

We place candidates with:

• Vehicle leasing and contract hire funders and brokers
• Franchised car and commercial vehicle dealerships with in-house contract hire sales functions
• Fleet management companies offering full-service lease and fleet management contracts
• Manufacturer-owned and manufacturer-aligned captive finance and leasing businesses
• Salary sacrifice and employee car scheme providers
• Commercial vehicle contract hire and rental businesses
• Automotive fleet consultancy and procurement businesses
• Corporate mobility and company car policy management businesses

Roles We Place

• Contract Hire Executive
• Fleet Leasing Sales Executive
• Contract Hire Account Manager
• Fleet Sales Executive (Contract Hire)
• Business Contract Hire Consultant
• SME Fleet Sales Executive
• Corporate Fleet Account Executive
• Contract Hire Sales Manager
• National Fleet Leasing Manager

Who Can Apply

Strong Contract Hire Executive candidates typically come from:

• Experienced Contract Hire or Fleet Leasing Executives at leasing companies, funders or dealerships who want to move to a new employer, a broader product portfolio or a higher-value customer segment
• Car Sales Executives who regularly deal with business and fleet customers, have experience presenting contract hire solutions and want to move into a dedicated fleet and leasing sales role
• Business Development Executives with fleet or B2B automotive experience who want to move into a full sales role with contract and account management responsibility
• Commercial Sales Executives who have sold contract hire alongside commercial vehicles and want to specialise in fleet funding solutions
• B2B sales professionals from financial services, insurance, telecoms or business services who have sold to fleet or procurement decision makers and want to move into automotive contract hire
• Fleet administrators or fleet coordinators who have a thorough understanding of contract hire structures, vehicle ordering, fleet data management and renewal cycles and want to move into a sales-facing role

A working understanding of contract hire pricing mechanics, residual values, maintenance inclusion structures, excess mileage charges and manufacturer support contributions is expected at experienced level. Venatu assesses product knowledge alongside sales track record when matching candidates to contract hire employers.

Contract Hire Executive Salary Guide

Most roles include a company car or car allowance. Commission structures are typically tied to a combination of units funded, monthly rental income, margin and renewal rates. Venatu discusses realistic OTE based on funder, territory and commission plan before presenting roles. Visit the HR Hub for broader context on fleet and leasing sales remuneration.

What the Role Involves

Responsibilities vary by employer type and customer segment but typically include:

• Identifying, prospecting and developing new business contract hire accounts within a defined territory or customer segment
• Managing and growing an existing portfolio of fleet and business accounts through structured renewal, upsell and cross-sell activity
• Presenting contract hire proposals to fleet managers, procurement directors, finance directors and business owners, including vehicle configuration, pricing, maintenance packages and fleet management service levels
• Structuring competitive deals using manufacturer support funding, funder pricing parameters and maintenance cost modelling
• Managing vehicle orders, delivery timelines, driver communications and fleet data through the leasing platform and CRM systems
• Handling fleet renewal activity including early termination analysis, replacement quoting and retention negotiation
• Working alongside the funder's or employer's credit and underwriting team on account approvals and credit structuring for business customers
• Attending customer sites, fleet events and industry exhibitions to develop new business pipeline
• Reporting pipeline, funded units, rental income and account activity to the Sales Manager or Head of Fleet
• Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of manufacturer product changes, residual value movements and the competitive contract hire market

How the Process Works

For employers:

1. Submit a vacancy with the funder or product type, customer segment, territory and commission structure.
2. We confirm candidate availability and present a pre-screened shortlist within five working days.
3. Candidates are assessed for contract hire product knowledge, B2B sales track record and customer segment fit.
4. Interview and offer supported by Venatu throughout.

For candidates:

1. Register your CV with your current or most recent leasing or fleet sales role, the product types you have sold, customer segments managed and OTE achieved.
2. A Venatu consultant will review your background and contact you directly.
3. Roles are matched to your product knowledge, preferred customer segment and geography.
4. Venatu manages the process and provides commission plan and OTE benchmarking ahead of offer.

Browse current vacancies or create a job alert to be notified when relevant roles become available.

FAQ

What does a Contract Hire Executive do? A Contract Hire Executive sells vehicle contract hire and leasing solutions to business customers. Responsibilities include prospecting and developing new fleet accounts, managing renewals and existing customer relationships, structuring competitive contract hire proposals, managing vehicle orders and fleet data, and working to targets based on units funded, rental income and margin. The role is a consultative B2B sales position requiring both product knowledge and account management capability.

What is the difference between contract hire and leasing? In practice the terms are often used interchangeably in the UK fleet market. Contract hire typically refers to a fixed-term, fixed-mileage vehicle rental agreement under which the funder retains ownership and the customer pays a monthly rental covering depreciation, funding cost and any agreed maintenance package. At the end of the contract the vehicle is returned. Personal Contract Hire (PCH) is the consumer equivalent. Venatu confirms the specific product range and funder type with each employer before presenting candidates.

Do I need automotive experience to become a Contract Hire Executive? Experience selling contract hire or vehicle leasing is the most directly relevant background. However, B2B sales professionals from financial services, business services or fleet-adjacent sectors who understand how businesses fund assets and manage operational costs can transition effectively. A willingness to develop product knowledge in vehicle funding mechanics, residual values and fleet management is essential. Venatu advises candidates from outside the sector on how to position their transferable skills.

What does a Contract Hire Executive earn in the UK? Experienced Contract Hire Executives typically earn between £28,000 and £44,000 in base salary. OTE including commission ranges from £45,000 to £72,000 at mid-level and £90,000 or more for corporate fleet or national account roles. Company cars are standard. Venatu discusses realistic OTE based on funder, product, territory and commission structure before presenting roles.

How is the fleet and contract hire market changing? The transition to electric and alternative fuel vehicles is reshaping fleet contract hire significantly. Residual value uncertainty on EVs, evolving salary sacrifice schemes and changing whole-life cost calculations are creating both complexity and opportunity for Contract Hire Executives who invest in understanding the new landscape. Read about how fuel and energy costs are reshaping fleet decisions in How Rising Fuel Prices Are Impacting Automotive Recruitment In The UK, and how the broader sector is evolving in The Evolution Of Automobiles.

What is the progression from Contract Hire Executive? Common progression routes include Senior Contract Hire Executive, Fleet Account Manager, Contract Hire Sales Manager, Head of Fleet and Sales Director. In manufacturer or funder environments there are also routes into product management, fleet strategy and corporate mobility roles. For senior fleet and automotive sales appointments visit Venatu Executive.

Register or Enquire

Candidates - Register your CV with your contract hire or fleet leasing experience, product types sold, customer segments managed and OTE history. Venatu will match you to current Contract Hire Executive vacancies across funders, dealerships and fleet businesses, including roles not publicly advertised. Browse live vacancies or create a job alert.

Employers - Submit a vacancy or visit the client hub to discuss your contract hire sales requirements. Our team will respond within one working day.