Apprenticeships Sales Manager

Job Introduction

[Employer hidden] is looking for a Sales Manager (Apprenticeships) to lead apprenticeship growth. This role is commercially focused, target-driven, and involves close work with employers and delivery teams.

About the Role

This is a senior sales leadership role with clear accountability for growing [Employer hidden]'s apprenticeship provision. You will lead a sales and account management team, build employer partnerships, and turn engagement into high-quality apprenticeship starts. The role is commercially focused, target-driven and structured. It suits someone who is confident leading people, managing performance and working closely with delivery teams to ensure growth is sustainable and compliant. This is not a purely strategic role. You will remain close to employers, data and day-to-day activity.

What This Role Is Really About

This role is about turning relationships into results. You will set direction, hold people to account and remove barriers to performance. Success means a strong employer pipeline, improved conversion to starts, and a team that knows exactly what good looks like and delivers it consistently.

Environment / Working Conditions

• Essex - covering London and the Home Counties with a potential national coverage
• Attendance in London is required for team leadership, collaboration and employer engagement
• Regular face-to-face presence is essential and expected as part of the role
• Travel across London and the wider region for employer meetings will be required
• This role is not fully remote
• Clear targets, reporting cycles and performance expectations apply

What You Will Do

• Lead and manage the apprenticeship sales and account management team
• Translate organisational growth targets into clear team and individual objectives
• Secure new employer partnerships across priority sectors
• Drive conversion from employer engagement to apprenticeship starts
• Use CRM data to manage pipeline, forecasting and performance
• Work closely with delivery and quality teams to mobilise new standards
• Ensure all growth activity meets funding, compliance and safeguarding requirements
• Embed consistent performance management and continuous improvement

Employer / Stakeholder Element

You will build credibility with employers at different levels, understanding their workforce needs and aligning them with [Employer hidden]'s apprenticeship offer. Internally, you will work in partnership with delivery, education and employer services teams to ensure programmes deliver as promised.

What Makes Someone Successful Here

• You are comfortable with targets and accountability
• You lead from the front and do not avoid difficult conversations
• You balance commercial outcomes with learner and employer quality
• You use data to drive decisions, not instinct alone
• You build trust quickly and maintain professional boundaries
• You follow through on commitments

What You Will Bring

Experience and Capability

• Experience leading sales, business development or account management teams within apprenticeships or work-based learning
• Proven delivery of apprenticeship or employer engagement growth against targets
• Experience working with employers in sectors such as construction, people services or logistics
• Experience collaborating with delivery, quality and operations teams
• Experience contributing to the mobilisation of new apprenticeship standards

Skills and Behaviours

• Clear, confident leadership style
• Commercial mindset with a focus on outcomes
• Strong relationship management skills
• Data-led approach to planning and performance
• Resilience in a target-driven environment
• Alignment to [Employer hidden] values

Technical and Practical

• Strong knowledge of apprenticeship funding rules and compliance
• Confident use of CRM systems and performance reporting
• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities
• Level 5 qualification or equivalent experience
• Willingness to undertake an Enhanced DBS check

A Day in the Role

You might start by reviewing CRM data and pipeline performance, followed by a team check-in to address priorities and blockers. Your day could include employer meetings, coaching a team member on conversion activity, and working with delivery colleagues to mobilise a new standard. You will finish the day with clear actions, accurate data and accountability in place.

Our Values

At [Employer hidden], we are Ambitious, we take Pride in what we do, we are Considerate, we Own It and we Inspire. We are looking for people who bring these values to their work consistently.

Why Join [Employer hidden]

You will be supported, trusted and given the opportunity to make a genuine difference. You will benefit from: Wellbeing support including GP access, counselling and Headspace; Pension, discounts and salary sacrifice options; Enhanced benefits with service; Development and progression opportunities; A culture built on ambition, pride, ownership and support.

Our Recruitment Process

The work we do carries real responsibility. We are looking for people who approach it with professionalism and genuine commitment. As part of your application, you will complete role-specific questions. These must be completed in full for your application to be considered. We also review the clarity and quality of your CV. Accurate information and clear evidence of your experience help us assess suitability.

[Employer hidden] does not accept unsolicited CVs from agencies.

Additional Information

We reserve the right to close applications early, so we encourage early applications. [Employer hidden] is a Disability Confident and Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals and are committed to supporting physical and mental wellbeing at work. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process. This role is subject to satisfactory recruitment checks and a commitment to safeguarding learners and clients.