Client Operations Specialist

AHEAD; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working (two days from home)

Training and certification funding

Job summary

AHEAD in Reading is seeking a commercially aware Client Operations Specialist to manage UK and European relationships for our enterprise clients. Many accounts are based in the United States.

You will coordinate sales processes, registrations, quotations and orders, often involving six-figure sums, in a fast-paced environment. You’ll build strong relationships with internal teams and clients, develop IT industry knowledge, and support revenue generation alongside Sales and Pre-Sales teams in a

Qualifications

• Attention to detail and accuracy are essential.
• Strong organisational skills with multiple deadlines.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience with high-value commercial transactions and CRM systems.

Responsibilities

• Act as UK-based sales co-ordinator and customer service contact.
• Build and maintain relationships with existing clients and internal stakeholders.
• Develop knowledge of IT industry, technologies, and market trends.
• Maintain relationships with channel partners, manufacturers, and distributors.
• Collaborate with Pre-Sales and external Sales teams to support revenue and satisfaction.
• Support Sales Operations with quotes, configurations, and timely processing.
• Provide admin and operational support to global sales teams and customers.
• Work with manufacturers to configure solutions, obtain pricing, and process orders.
• Complete vendor registrations and pricing requests accurately.
• Share knowledge and provide internal training where appropriate.
• Assist with proposals and tender responses (RFPs/RFIs) as needed.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organisation

Communication

Time management

Independence (WFH)

High-value transactions

CRM systems (Salesforce)

Enterprise client experience

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Salesforce

Vendor registration portals

Job description

AHEAD builds platforms for digital business. By weaving together advances in cloud infrastructure, automation and analytics, and software delivery, we help enterprises deliver on the promise of digital transformation.

AtAHEAD, we prioritize creating a culture of belonging,where all perspectives and voices are represented, valued, respected, and heard. We create spaces to empower everyone to speak up, make change, and drive the culture at AHEAD.

We are an equal opportunity employer,anddo not discriminatebased onan individual's age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage & civil partnership, pregnancy & maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation,or any other protected characteristic under applicable law, whether actual or perceived.

We embraceall candidatesthatwillcontribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas andperspectives atAHEAD.

Role Overview

We are looking for a commercially aware Client Operations Specialist (COS), to manage and support UK and European relationships of our existing enterprise clients, whose accounts are primarily based in and managed from the United States. Our clients include globally recognised organisations across sectors such as pharmaceuticals, financial services, legal services, and entertainment.

This role requires building and maintaining strong relationships with a range of stakeholders, including internal teams, client contacts, and external vendors and suppliers. From time to time, the role may involve client engagement activities such as attending meetings, meals, or industry events.

Working within a small, collaborative team, supporting operational sales processes including vendor registrations, quotation preparation, and order processing. The role requires excellent attention to detail, strong organisational skills, and confidence working with high-value transactions (often involving six-figure sums) whilst being comfortable working within a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a consistent UK-based contact for sales coordination and customer service support.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with existing clients and key internal stakeholders.
• Continually develop knowledge of the IT industry, relevant technologies, and market trends.
• Maintain effective relationships with channel partners, manufacturers, and distribution partners.
• Collaborate with Pre-Sales and external Sales teams to support revenue generation and deliver high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Work closely with the Sales Operations team to manage shared workloads, ensure timely turnaround of quotations and configurations, and promote a collaborative team culture.
• Provide administrative and operational sales support to the global sales team and, where appropriate, directly to customers.
• Work with manufacturers and distribution partners to configure solutions, obtain pricing, and process product orders.
• Complete vendor registrations, pricing requests, and related administrative requirements with accuracy.
• Obtain and maintain relevant product certifications. The company will provide and fund the necessary training programs and examination fees.
• Share knowledge and provide internal training to colleagues where appropriate.
• Assist with the preparation and presentation of proposals and tender responses (including RFPs and RFIs) where required.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong time management and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced sales environment.
• Ability to work independently when required, including when working from home.
• Experience working with high-value commercial transactions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, as well as Salesforce or similar CRM systems.
• Experience supporting enterprise or blue-chip clients with annual expenditure in excess of £1 million.

Desirable

• Experience using vendor registration and pricing systems such as Cisco, Dell, Juniper, Palo Alto, HPE, & Nutanix.
• Previous experience managing or supporting large corporate client accounts.
• Experience working for a medium-to-large IT reseller or channel partner.
• Strong working knowledge of Salesforce would be highly desirable.

Working Arrangements and Additional Information

Working Hours

The standard working hours for this role are 9.00 am to 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday.

This role operates on a hybrid working model, typically with two days working from home. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to support business needs or client activities.

Travel

The role may require up to 10% travel, which may occasionally include international travel.

Additional Information

This job description outlines the general nature and level of responsibilities associated with the role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, and responsibilities may change in line with business requirements.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Please note that this role is not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship, and we are therefore unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

AHEAD is an equal opportunities employer committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

£45,000 - £55,000 a year

The compensation range indicated in this posting reflects the On-Target Earnings (“OTE”) for this role, which includes a base salary and any applicable target bonus amount. This OTE range may vary based on the candidate’s relevant experience, qualifications, and geographic location.

Why AHEAD:

Through our daily work and internal groups like Moving Women AHEAD and RISE AHEAD, we value and benefit from diversity of people, ideas, experience, and everything in between.

We fuel growth by stacking our office with top-notch technologies in a multi-million-dollar lab, by encouraging cross department training and development, sponsoring certifications and credentials for continued learning.

Use of AI:

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, assessing responses, or to capture recordings and create transcriptions or summaries during interviews. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans.

If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please refer to the UK Candidate Privacy Notice / Netherlands Candidate Privacy Notice or contact us at [e-mail].

You may opt-out of the review or analysis of your application and resume by AI tools by using the General Application. Please include the role you wish to apply for in the Additional Information field. You may also choose to opt-out of recording and transcription at any time, including after joining an interview. Candidates will not be penalized for choosing to opt-out.