Strategic Account Manager

Serco Group Plc; West Bromwich; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading services provider in the UK seeks a Strategic Account Manager to oversee national high-volume employer accounts in the skills and apprenticeships sector. The role involves developing strategies to meet business growth objectives, ensuring compliance, and driving learner recruitment while leading a team of Account Managers. Ideal candidates will have experience in large account management and strong leadership skills.

Benefits

Up to 25 days of holidays plus bank holidays

Wide range of training and development opportunities

24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

Discounts across 1,000 retailers

Paid volunteering day each year

Qualifications

• Proven experience in managing large employer accounts within the skills or apprenticeships sector.
• Track record of delivering sales and learner recruitment targets.
• In-depth understanding of the UK skills and apprenticeships landscape.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a portfolio of national, high-volume employer accounts.
• Develop and implement sector-specific strategies for apprenticeship recruitment.
• Drive achievement of learner start targets and revenue generation.

Skills

Leadership skills

Relationship-building

Negotiation skills

Data-driven performance management

Project management

Education

NVQ Level 4 (or equivalent)

Job description

Overview

As Strategic Account Manager you'll focus on the management and growth of national high-volume accounts while leading a team of Account Managers to ensure effective employer relationships and performance outputs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a portfolio of national, high-volume employer accounts in the skills and apprenticeships sector, acting as the senior point of contact for all strategic queries.
• Develop and implement sector-specific strategies to target key industries and employers for apprenticeship and skills recruitment, aligned with business growth objectives.
• Drive the achievement of learner start and revenue targets across all skills programmes, ensuring contract compliance and maximising funding opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with employers, sector bodies, funding agencies, and internal stakeholders to identify new business opportunities and secure repeat business.
• Lead, motivate, and develop a team of Account Managers to deliver high-quality employer engagement, learner recruitment, and onboarding.
• Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) including learner starts, employer satisfaction, and revenue generation, using data to drive continuous improvement.
• Represent Serco at sector events, employer forums, and partnership meetings to raise the profile of our skills and apprenticeships offer.
• Champion best practice in employer engagement, inclusive recruitment, and learner experience across the team.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in managing large employer accounts within the skills, apprenticeships, or training sector.
• Strong leadership skills with a track record of delivering ambitious sales and learner recruitment targets.
• Excellent relationship-building, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• In-depth understanding of the UK skills and apprenticeships landscape, including funding, compliance, and sector trends.
• Data-driven approach to performance management and continuous improvement.
• Experience in developing and coaching Account Managers.
• Highly organised, with strong project management and time management skills.
• Qualified to NVQ Level 4 (or equivalent) preferred.

Disability Confident

About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to .

About Serco

At Serco, our ambition is to create a better future by addressing the needs of governments, authorities, communities, businesses, and citizens. This vision has driven us to build a best-in-class employment, skills, and training business, aligned with growing government commitments to employment, adult learning, and apprenticeships.

Employer engagement, skills, and training are key priorities for Serco in the UK, as we strive not only to be a leading provider but also to deliver renowned services and solutions that support our partners and training providers in achieving their goals.

Serco Employment Skills and Training (EST) offers a comprehensive, place-based employability and skills service that can be tailored to government departments, local areas, employers, and citizens.

Benefits

• Holidays: Up to 25 days plus bank holidays
• Training and development: A wide range of learning opportunities with over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships, mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression.
• Health and wellbeing: 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, Simplyhealth cash plans to claim back money towards healthcare costs, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres.
• Discounts: Save across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel.
• Employee networks: Dedicated networks where colleagues can come together to find support, share challenges, discuss ideas, network and be part of a community.
• Charity: Support a charity or organisation with a paid volunteering day each year. You can also choose to donate to your favourite charity tax-free, through our Payroll Giving Scheme.