Head of Strategic Customer Relationships

Knovia; Derby; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education-focused company, part of Knovia, seeks a Head of Strategic Customer Relationships to enhance its apprenticeship services. The successful applicant will lead account management strategies, develop partnerships, and ensure client satisfaction while meeting growth targets in a dynamic and inclusive environment. With a firm focus on delivering results and expanding services, this role promises exciting challenges and rewards, coupled with a supportive company culture.

Benefits

25 days annual leave and 8 Public Bank Holidays

Bupa Healthcare Cash plan

Additional annual leave purchase scheme

Babington Rewards with discounts

Inclusive workplace culture

Qualifications

• Significant experience in account growth within the apprenticeship and training sector.
• Track record of growing revenue through strategic account development.
• Deep understanding of the UK apprenticeship landscape and procurement processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop impactful sales strategies to execute business targets.
• Build sustainable relationships with key client accounts.
• Drive revenue growth and monitor account KPIs.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Sales & Marketing, Education, or Public Sector Management

Grade A-C GCSE in English and Maths or equivalent

Tools

CRM systems

MS Office packages including Word, Excel, Outlook

Job description

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

Company Description

Babington, the latest of Knovia's best-in-class companies, are a purpose driven and forward thinking organisation, who are committed to developing better futures: for individuals, organisations, and society.

Position

Job Title: Head of Strategic Customer Relationships

Location: Remote

Salary: Dependent on experience

Working days: Monday to Friday

We are looking for a strategic, commercially focused, results driven and relationship-focused leader to take personal ownership of strategic customer partnerships and drive account growth within our largest and most influential apprenticeship clients, within the professional services sector.

As the Head of Strategic Customer Relationships, you will be leading the growth and further development of existing key client relationships and presenting new opportunities. You will build strong, sustainable client partnerships - deepening relationships with key account customers and senior stakeholders, identifying opportunities to expand apprenticeship provision, and maximising revenue.

Key responsibilities

. Develop a strong, effective, and impactful sales strategy, resulting the execution of business targets

. Leverage industry insights, market trends, and client feedback to shape innovative apprenticeship offerings and strengthen our market position

. Own and expand strategic partnerships with top-tier employer accounts, focusing on increasing apprenticeship uptake and long-term value

. Develop strong, trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across key accounts to understand workforce development needs and align our apprenticeship solutions, accordingly, delivering an outstanding customer experience every time

. Oversee commercial agreements and renewals, ensuring value for both the client and the business

. Drive revenue growth, monitor account KPIs, and report on performance and pipeline development

. Adhere to GDPR regulations and all internal information and data security policies and procedures

. Proactively promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people

Requirements

Qualifications we need from you:

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business, Sales & Marketing, Education, or Public Sector Management)

Grade A-C GCSE in English and Maths or equivalent

Experience and knowledge our ideal candidate has:

. Experience of leading large customer account growth, within funded learning and apprenticeships, implementing and delivering in-depth sales strategies to achieve success and deliver growth

. Significant experience in account growth, strategic partnerships, within the apprenticeship, training, or skills development sector

. Demonstrated success in growing revenue and expanding service offerings within large enterprise or public sector accounts and proven track record of growing revenue through strategic account development

. Experience managing or working with levy-paying employers and knowledge of apprenticeship funding frameworks

. Experience of working in a high-pressure role, where deadlines and bottom line are the measure of success with a key focus on pitching to and working with large clients for new business

. Commercial background, within further education and ability to develop commercial learning solutions

. Established network within priority industries (e.g., digital, consumer services, telecoms, logistics, or financial services)

. Understanding of procurement processes in large organisations or government bodies

. Deep understanding of the UK apprenticeship landscape, including ESFA funding, Ofsted expectations, and employer-provider dynamics

. Knowledge of workforce development and talent pipelines within key industries (e.g. Digital, finance, logistics)

. Understanding of B2B sales methodologies and strategic account management principles

. Awareness of procurement processes and decision-making in large organisations

. Familiarity with CRM systems and sales performance analytics

. Knowledge of workforce development and talent pipelines within key industries (e.g. Digital, finance, logistics)

. IT literate with advanced knowledge of MS Office packages including Word, Excel, Outlook

. Access to a car and ability to travel and stay overnight to meet the needs of the business

Required skills and abilities include:

. Strong interpersonal, influential and communication skills both written and verbal with the ability to impress, influence, and negotiate with clients

. A blend of management, technical, creative, and business skills to motivate and grow customer accounts

. Self-motivated, with the ability to manage projects, plan and prioritise workload to achieve deadlines

. Ability to work independently and as part of a wider team, to meet and exceed agreed targets and KPIs

. Ability to present solutions to clients in both formal and informal settings remotely and in person

. Skilled in developing and executing account plans that drive client expansion and revenue growth

. Strong interpersonal and influencing skills; able to establish trust with senior stakeholders and decision-makers

. Commercial Acumen: Excellent financial and business planning skills; able to identify and capitalise on commercial opportunities

. Clear and confident verbal and written communication skills; able to tailor messaging for diverse audiences

. Strong analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to resolve complex client challenges

Other information

What's in it for you?

Babington is an inclusive, welcoming and supportive place to work with a fantastic culture which supports each employees learning, development and career growth.

. 25 days annual leave and 8 Public Bank Holidays

. Bupa Healthcare Cash plan; reimbursements for dental, health assessments & prescriptions

. Additional annual leave purchase scheme to buy up to 5 extra days

. Babington Rewards; includes cashback, discounts off online and retail stores.

. Remote working

We are a Disability Confident Employer and have a guaranteed interview scheme in place to ensure that nobody is overlooked or discriminated against because of their disability. If you meet the minimum criteria when you apply and you have informed us in your application that you have a disability, you will be guaranteed an interview for that role.

To promote and maintain an inclusive working environment, as part of your application process we will ask you to share data on certain characteristics. These answers will not form part of the selection and recruitment process and will not be shared with anyone outside of the People Team.

Babington is committed to the safeguarding and wellbeing of our learners and colleagues and we implement robust safer recruitment practices to support this. Dependent on the role you are applying for, we may undertake a number of necessary checks to confirm you are suitable to work with children and vulnerable adults, which may include a Disclosure and Barring Service check. We are also committed to promoting equality and inclusion throughout our colleague and learner populations.