Senior Relationship Manager

Thrive Employment; Wolverhampton; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

Birthday leave

Pension scheme 6%

Death in service benefit

Employee healthcare scheme

Incentive structure

Job summary

Thrive Employment is seeking a Senior Relationship Manager to oversee strategic accounts and SME partnerships in the West Midlands. The role combines relationship management with practical business support, helping owners and directors navigate growth and opportunities.

You will use CRM tools to monitor engagement, plan proactive interventions, and connect businesses with relevant services, training and events. Hybrid, 35 hours per week, permanent.

Qualifications

• Experience in business support or SME leadership.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to prioritise opportunities.
• Proven track record delivering measurable outcomes through account management or advisory services.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of key business accounts with proactive engagement.
• Build trusted relationships with owners, directors and senior leaders.
• Conduct regular account reviews to understand priorities and needs.
• Provide practical business guidance and signposting based on SME operations.
• Identify opportunities to improve customer engagement and value.
• Use CRM data to monitor engagement and plan interventions.

Skills

Account management

Relationship management

CRM systems

Communication

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Digital platforms

Job description

Senior Relationship Manager

Salary: Up to £35,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Location: West Midlands

Working Pattern: Hybrid

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced and commercially minded Senior Relationship Manager to join our client's team and manage relationships with valued members and strategically important businesses.

This is a highly relationship-focused role, providing strategic account management, practical business support and trusted guidance to business owners, directors and senior leaders.

You will build strong relationships with businesses, understand their challenges and ambitions, identify opportunities and connect them with relevant support, services and networks.

The ideal candidate will have experience in business support, business advisory services, account management, growth programmes or running an SME.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of key business accounts, developing structured account plans and proactive engagement strategies.
• Build trusted relationships with business owners, directors and senior leaders.
• Conduct regular account reviews to understand business priorities, challenges, ambitions and support needs.
• Provide practical business guidance, support and signposting based on a strong understanding of SME operations and growth.
• Identify opportunities to improve customer engagement, retention and overall value.
• Use CRM data and business intelligence to monitor engagement, identify risks and plan proactive interventions.
• Connect businesses with relevant services, funding, training, events, partners and wider business support.
• Facilitate introductions, collaborations and commercial opportunities across the business community.
• Lead or support business clubs, roundtables and other engagement activities.
• Identify appropriate upselling and cross-selling opportunities that enhance customer value.
• Maintain accurate and timely CRM records, including account intelligence, activity and follow-up actions.
• Monitor customer satisfaction, engagement and return on investment through feedback, data and case studies.
• Provide regular account intelligence, renewal forecasts and performance updates to senior colleagues.

About You

• Experience in business support, business advisory services, account management or running/managing an SME.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to quickly understand business priorities, challenges and opportunities.
• A proven track record of delivering measurable outcomes through account management, consultancy, advisory services, business support or SME leadership.
• Experience working with business owners, directors, senior leaders and a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• A broad understanding of business growth, planning, finance, sales, marketing, people and operations.
• Knowledge of business support programmes, advisory services, funding routes, partner referrals or economic development activity.
• The confidence and credibility to influence, challenge and support senior business leaders.
• Excellent communication, organisation, networking and relationship-building skills.
• Confidence using CRM systems, Microsoft Office and digital platforms.
• The ability to work independently with focus, resilience and determination.
• A collaborative approach, with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.

Experience within a membership organisation, business support provider, consultancy, local authority economic development team or similar environment would be advantageous.

What's On Offer

• Salary of up to £35,000 per annum.
• Permanent, 35-hour per week position.
• Hybrid working with a minimum of two days per week in the office.
• 27 days' annual leave plus public holidays.
• An additional paid day of leave for your birthday.
• Company pension scheme with a 6% employer contribution based on a 2% employee contribution.
• Death in service benefit of three times gross salary.
• Employee healthcare scheme.
• Incentive structure linked to the role.
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.

Additional Information

The role requires regular travel to meet businesses, attend meetings and participate in events across the region. A vehicle and appropriate business-use insurance will therefore be required.

The standard working week is Monday to Friday, with flexibility required to attend occasional meetings and events outside normal office hours.