Commercial Manager

Are you a relationship-focused sales professional who enjoys developing long-term partnerships rather than chasing quick wins?
 
 
TPP Recruitment is supporting a leading UK awarding organisation to recruit a Commercial Manager. This is an exciting opportunity to inherit an established portfolio of customers and prospects while driving growth across a well-respected organisation with ambitious plans for the future.
 
Operating within the education and skills sector, you will work with colleges, training providers, adult education organisations and employers, building trusted relationships that deliver excellent customer retention alongside sustainable new business growth.
 
 
Salary: £47,859 per annum
Employment type: Permanent
Working arrangements: Remote (UK based), with travel required to Lancaster (UK) Head Office as required. This role involves frequent travel and overnight stays.
Working pattern: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Other benefits:

• Generous bonus structure
• Significant autonomy and ownership of your region
• Extensive opportunities for career progression and professional development
• Join a supportive and collaborative commercial team
• Work for an organisation with a strong reputation across the education and skills sector

 
 
About the Organisation
 
TPP Recruitment is supporting a well-established UK awarding organisation that develops qualifications and learning solutions which support individuals, employers and training providers nationwide.
 
With a strong reputation for customer service and partnership working, the organisation is committed to growing its market presence while maintaining excellent relationships with existing customers.
 
 
About the Role
 
As Commercial Manager, you will take responsibility for a portfolio of existing customer accounts across the West Midlands, Wales and Southwest region, while also identifying and securing new business opportunities.
 
This is a highly client-facing position, with regular travel across your territory and approximately two to three days each week spent meeting customers and prospects. The sales cycle is consultative and relationship-led, requiring patience, credibility and a long-term approach to business development.
 
You will be responsible for customer retention while building a strong pipeline of new opportunities and contributing to regional growth targets.
 
 
Key Responsibilities
 

• Manage and develop relationships with existing customer accounts
• Maintain a minimum customer retention rate of 95%
• Identify, develop and convert new business opportunities across your region
• Deliver against annual new business growth targets
• Create and manage a robust sales pipeline through consistent prospect engagement
• Conduct regular customer visits and account reviews
• Present to senior stakeholders, decision-makers and prospective customers
• Use CRM systems to track opportunities, forecast income and monitor performance
• Work closely with marketing, customer service and product teams to support growth
• Gather customer intelligence and market insight to influence future development
• Represent the organisation at meetings, events and conferences

 
 
Skills / Experience Required
 

• Successful experience in sales, business development, account management or partnership management
• A strong track record of achieving commercial targets and growing customer relationships
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills
• Experience managing multiple accounts and opportunities simultaneously
• The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with colleagues
• Strong organisational and planning skills
• A customer-focused and consultative approach to sales
• Experience within education, awarding organisations, training providers, further education or skills-based sectors (desirable)
• Knowledge of qualifications, assessment or learning services (desirable)

 
 
To Apply
 

• Please submit your CV outlining your relevant commercial, sales or business development experience.

 
 
Interview Process
 
The interview process will vary depending on location:
 

• Candidates based near the organisation's Northwest office will attend a single in-person interview
• Candidates based further afield will complete a two-stage process, comprising an online interview followed by a final in-person interview

 
As part of the selection process, shortlisted candidates will be asked to deliver a presentation outlining their proposed first 30, 60 and 90 days in the role.
 
 
Deadline
 

• Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
  • Early application is recommended.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.