Key Account Manager

UCAS; Gloucester; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

35-hour week

30 days annual leave

Onsite gym

Free parking

Wellbeing support

Job summary

UCAS is seeking an experienced Sales and Account Manager to drive revenue growth across a portfolio of high-value accounts. You will nurture relationships with brands and agencies, identifying value-based solutions and delivering measurable ROI while expanding partner collaborations.

You will manage accounts, create and execute sales plans, and articulate our propositions to win opportunities. The role offers hybrid working and clear development avenues within a charity-led organisation.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Sales, Business Development and Account Management with a strong customer focus.
• Proven ability to establish mission, business model and workflows for customers.
• Detailed market/competitor knowledge and ability to translate insights into value.
• Strong presentation and interpersonal skills across all levels of an organisation.
• Experience developing and executing sales plans and account strategies.

Responsibilities

• To achieve a set revenue target by selling a value-based solution and maximise ROI.
• Manage individual accounts, sales plans and activities to demonstrate value and customer advocacy.
• Develop understanding of customer decision makers’ strategies and needs to drive growth.
• Understand and articulate our propositions to prospect and develop client relationships.
• Stay updated on competitor products and industry trends.
• Analyse intelligence on sector activity and provide feedback to senior management.

Skills

Sales

Account management

CRM knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Negotiation

Tools

CRM software

Job description

UCAS is at the heart of connecting people to higher education.

UCAS is the world’s leading shared admissions service for higher education. We provide application services for UK universities and colleges as well as delivering a wide range of research, consultancy and advisory services to schools, colleges, careers services, professional bodies and employers.

We’re a successful and fast-growing organisation, which helps hundreds of thousands of people every year. We’re committed to delivering a first-class service to all of our customers - they’re at the heart of everything we do.

Business Unit Description

Led by Dave Penney, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer. This broad business unit and incorporates the following functions:

• UCAS Media education and industry Sales
• Education and Industry Marketing
• Digital Marketing Operations
• Events
• Partnerships
• Apprenticeships
• Public Affairs, Press and Communications
• Insights

The business unit is set up to deliver against the objectives of UCAS charity and operate UCAS Media (UCAS’s commercial subsidiary) to help fund UCAS’s charitable operations. For the charity, our objective is to provide everyone with the information, advice and guidance they need to make informed decisions on their next steps. We deliver on this via our media ecosystem which consists of information, advice and guidance on ucas.com, our social media feeds across various channels, email, live events and webinars,

For UCAS Media, our business objective is to generate revenue through paid collaborations with higher education providers who wish to improve their position in the market, and commercial brands who want to reach students. All brands wishing to use our media ecosystem and insight services must align with our framework. All profits generated are gift aided to UCAS the charity and in turn fund the charitable objectives, such as our recent announcement that students in receipt of free school meals will no longer need to pay the UCAS application fee.

About The Role Contractual Hours

35.00

About The Role

To help clients achieve their strategic objectives by providing excellent relationship management, service & support. Building and maintaining professional customer relationships (Brands Direct and through Agencies), identifying value-based solutions to fit the needs of the business, and to deliver targeted revenue for a portfolio of high value accounts within an assigned segment.

• To achieve a set revenue target (personal and team) by selling a value-based solution to maximise ROI for the customer and maintain long term relationships.
• Managing your individual accounts, sales plans and activities to ensure we are demonstrating true value and customer advocacy whilst working within the customer framework.
• Actively develop a deep understanding of the customer decision makers’ strategies, priorities and needs and maximise the opportunity with customers, using unique relational insights to drive growth and deliver real value partnerships with clients.
• Have a solid understanding of our propositions to prospect and develop client relationships.
• Understanding of competitor products and propositions and stay abreast of industry trends.
• Analyse impact from intelligence on sector & competitor activity and provide feedback to senior management and Product teams.

For Full Job Description, Please See Role Profile Attached.

Skills, qualifications, and experience

• Significant experience in Sales, Business Development and Account Management with a strong customer focus and orientation
• Strong understanding of a wide range of customer groups, with a proven ability to establish their mission, business model and workflows
• Detailed relevant market and/or competitor knowledge
• Strong presentation and interpersonal skills with an ability to deliver and communicate at all levels within an organisation
• A specialist knowledge of a range of selling skills, identifying, developing, and articulating a sophisticated proposition
• Proven ability to develop and execute a sales execution plan (account plan, territory plan)
• Significant experience of problem solving, an ability to understand, articulate, structure, and solve client needs
• Detailed knowledge of CRM software and admin systems
• Highly motivated self-starter who can manage their work independently
• A great verbal and written communicator
• Ability to work under pressure and get the best out of people.

Package

Salary - £35,000 - £40,000 Dependent On Experience + Sales Incentive Scheme

12 Month Fixed Term Contract.

• Purpose-driven work in a charity-led organisation connecting people to education and opportunity
• Internal training, mentoring, and access to industry-recognised certifications through our development academies
• Hybrid working model built on trust and flexibility, with a 35-hour week and flexible contracts
• 30 days annual leave, 3 concessionary days over Christmas, bank holidays, and the option to purchase additional leave
• Everyday wellbeing support through Perkbox, offering discounts and wellness tools
• Onsite facilities including a subsidised gym, café, and free parking at our Cheltenham office
• Inclusive culture supported by employee networks, wellbeing champions, and Mental Health First Aiders
• Recognition and reward through our quarterly employee scheme and an ex-gratia bonus for going above and beyond