Apprentice Sales Executive

OPTIMUS EDUCATION LTD

ENGLAND (TA1 1QN)

Closes on Saturday 30 August 2025

Posted on 23 July 2025

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Summary

Our Level 4 Sales Executive Apprenticeship offers the opportunity to become a skilled sales professional within a dynamic and supportive environment. You'll work directly with our Commercial Director gaining hands-on experience in all aspects of the sales cycle from prospecting & client relationship management to closing deals & exceeding targets.

• Wage:

  £18,000 a year

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  + commission package

• Training course: Sales executive (level 4)
• Hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5pm

  37 hours 30 minutes a week

• Start date:

  Sunday 31 August 2025

• Duration:

  1 year 6 months

• Positions available:

  1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

This is a home based role, with travel to the main office based in Taunton. Candidates will also be required to travel to conferences as and when required (2-3 per year) and attend 2 staff conferences. Ideally, candidates should hold a full UK driving licence and have a car.

As a Sales Executive Apprentice, you'll be an integral part of our sales team, responsible for:

• Driving Sales Growth: Maximise sales to both new and existing organisations, focusing on achieving ambitious targets for revenue across our portfolio of products within the education sector including awards, conferences, online training and consultancy.
• Understanding Customer Needs: Engage with clients over the phone, through online meetings and in person to deeply understand their requirements, effectively matching them with the most suitable events and products.
• Building Strong Relationships: Develop excellent rapport and trust with clients, providing exceptional customer service before, during, and after sales to ensure a positive experience and foster long-term partnerships.
• Strategic Selling: Explore and maximise cross-selling opportunities across our diverse range of products.
• Market Expertise: Become an expert in our products and services, thoroughly understanding their features and benefits, and confidently linking them to customer needs to create compelling solutions.
• Market Intelligence: Stay ahead of the curve by continually researching new ideas and clients, keeping our database accurate and up-to-date, and monitoring industry trends and competitor activity.
• Operational Excellence: Maintain high standards of administrative tasks, ensuring smooth communication and effective support.
• Team Collaboration: Contribute to the overall development and success of our sales team.
• Achieving Performance Goals: Work towards key performance indicators (KPIs) related to sales revenue, event targets, outbound calls, and face-to-face meetings.

What we offer you:

• Comprehensive Training & Support: You'll receive a structured Level 4 Sales Executive Apprenticeship program, combining on-the-job training with dedicated off-the-job learning. This includes regular mentoring from experienced sales professionals, access to industry-leading resources, and continuous feedback to support your development.
• Real-World Experience: Gain practical experience by leading end-to-end sales interactions, managing existing customer accounts, and generating new business.
• A Supportive Environment: Join a collaborative and friendly team committed to your success. We believe in nurturing talent and providing the tools you need to excel.
• Career Progression: This apprenticeship is a fantastic stepping stone, providing you with a nationally recognised qualification and a strong foundation for a thriving career in sales.
• Competitive Apprentice Salary: You'll earn a salary while you learn, removing the financial barriers to gaining a valuable qualification.

Who we’re looking for:

• We are seeking a proactive, articulate, and highly organised individual with:
• A genuine passion for sales and building relationships.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A strong desire to learn and develop new skills.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• A positive attitude and a resilient approach to challenges.
• Good understanding of how to use technology and CRM systems (or a willingness to learn).
• A keen interest in understanding market dynamics and competitor landscapes.
• A growth mindset and a desire to continuously learn and improve.

Where you'll work

COLLAR FACTORY
112 ST AUGUSTINE STREET
TAUNTON
ENGLAND
TA1 1QN

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

SR APPRENTICESHIPS LIMITED

Training course

Sales executive (level 4)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Sales planning and preparation: Set effective targets using sales forecasts. Prioritise customers and activities to grow account value and maximise return-on-investment in line with your organisation’s strategy. Formulate or refine customer plans and objectives. Create efficient territory plans where appropriate.
• Customer engagement: Effectively communicate and interpret customer information exchanged through written, verbal and non-verbal communication. Develop a customer engagement style that effectively opens sales conversations, builds rapport, enhances customer relationships, and adapts to different customer’s social preferences.
• Customer needs analysis: Be highly skilled at effective questioning and active listening techniques to understand the customer’s needs, guide the sales conversation appropriately, create mutual understanding, and build trust and affinity with customers.
• Propose and present solutions: Develop sales proposals and deliver them using a presentation style and technique appropriate for your customer. Present relevant products and/or services, explain features and their advantages, and clearly articulate the value and benefit of the solution for the specific customer. Use and adapt a range of techniques to draw-out and overcome common sales objections.
• Negotiate: Research the customer’s likely desired outcomes and negotiating stance. Develop responses to likely objections. Identify your own organisation’s needs, such as minimum price and acceptable terms. Negotiate or trade variables effectively.
• Closing Sales: Be attuned to verbal and non-verbal buying-signals andmove to close at an appropriate point in sales conversations. Develop ethical techniques to close sales and confirm customers’ purchase agreement.
• Gathering Intelligence: Collect, analyse and interpret market intelligence and share it appropriately and effectively within your organisation.
• Time Management: Use and adapt appropriate tools and techniques to prioritise and manage your time effectively.
• Collaboration and team work: Contribute effectively within a team environment. Work collaboratively with both internal and external stakeholders. Manage communications with the cross-functional team in relation to the effective delivery of your sales, such as finance and service delivery. Support continual business improvement by sharing best practice with sales team colleagues and assist the marketing team to develop new marketing collateral.
• Customer experience management: Deliver a positive customer experience. Manage customer enquiries and issues effectively. Take proactive action to prevent and minimise customer concerns and complaints. Handle all customer interactions professionally to the customer’s satisfaction.
• Digital skills: Effectively use digital tools to conduct research and target customers in line with the overall sales strategy. Able to deliver presentations and meetings using digital communication. Complete accurate records and process sales in accordance with your organisation’s policies, procedures and digital CRM systems.

Training schedule

All training will be delivered at the Learners usual place of work. There is no requirement for the Learner to travel to a training centre.

More training information

Regular one to one teaching & learning with the Skills Coach. 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade C/4 or above)
• Maths (grade C/4 or above)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Presentation skills
• Administrative skills
• Number skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience

Other requirements

This is a home based role. Candidates will be required to travel to the main office based in Taunton as and when required. Candidates will also be attending 2-3 client conferences per year, and 2 staff conferences based in various locations. Candidates travel and accommodation will be covered for conferences, and candidates may be required to stay overnight at conferences.

About this employer

Founded in 1997, our work, in partnership with 1000+ experts and highly skilled consultants, is raising the educational standards in schools. Our mission is to provide exceptional school improvement services to improve the outcomes of young people.

Company benefits

Company healthcare, employee cashback scheme, travel and accommodation expenses paid.

After this apprenticeship

Long term career & development opportunities.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SR APPRENTICESHIPS LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000333267.

Apply now

Closes on Saturday 30 August 2025

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