Apprentice Client Engagement Executive

Dove Nest Group

Recruiting nationally

Closes in 30 days (Sunday 31 May 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 1 May 2026

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Summary

We’re looking for a proactive Client Engagement Executive to drive lead generation within the education and training sector. You’ll be responsible for identifying and engaging employers and learners, building relationships, and creating high-quality opportunities for the sales pipeline.

Wage

£23,000 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

£23,000 - £25,000 (depending on experience)

Training course
Sales executive (level 4)
Hours
Monday-Friday, 08:30 - 17:00. 1 hour unpaid lunch break.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 15 June 2026

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

Lead Generation & Pipeline Development:

  • Proactively identify and engage prospective employers and learners through outbound activity (calls, email campaigns, LinkedIn, events)
  • Generate a consistent pipeline of qualified leads aligned to organisational growth targets
  • Research target organisations, sectors, and key decision-makers within education, skills, and workforce development
  • Qualify leads effectively against eligibility, need, and readiness to progress

Sales Planning & Preparation:

  • Set and track activity targets (calls, meetings, conversions) in line with sales forecasts
  • Prioritise high-potential sectors, employers, and learner groups to maximise return on effort
  • Develop and refine outreach plans tailored to education and training opportunities

Customer Engagement:

  • Communicate confidently and professionally with a wide range of stakeholders, including employers, learners, and partners
  • Adapt communication style to suit different audiences, ensuring clarity and engagement
  • Build rapport quickly to establish trust and credibility in early-stage conversations

Customer Needs Analysis:

  • Use effective questioning and active listening to understand organisational skills gaps, workforce needs, and learner goals
  • Identify opportunities to align training programmes and apprenticeships to customer objectives
  • Guide early-stage conversations to create interest and a clear value proposition

Proposing & Presenting Solutions:

  • Clearly articulate the value of education and training programmes, including apprenticeships, qualifications, and workforce development solutions
  • Present key features, benefits, and outcomes in a way that resonates with employers and learners
  • Support the transition of qualified leads to the sales team with well-informed handovers

Negotiation & Objection Handling:

  • Anticipate common objections (e.g., funding, time commitment, programme relevance) and respond confidently.
  • Balance customer expectations with organisational requirements, ensuring realistic and compliant outcomes

Closing & Conversion:

  • Secure commitment for next steps, such as booked meetings, enrolment discussions, or referrals
  • Use appropriate and ethical closing techniques to progress leads through the pipeline

Market Intelligence & Sector Awareness:

  • Gather insights on industry trends, funding changes, and competitor activity within the education and training sector
  • Share intelligence with internal teams to refine targeting and messaging

Customer Experience Management:

  • Deliver a positive and engaging first impression of the organisation
  • Manage enquiries efficiently and ensure timely follow-up
  • Proactively address concerns to maintain interest and momentum

Digital & CRM Skills:

  • Use digital tools and platforms (e.g. CRM systems, LinkedIn, email automation tools) to identify, track, and nurture leads
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all interactions and pipeline activity
  • Monitor performance metrics to continuously improve lead generation effectiveness

Success Measures:

  • Volume and quality of leads generated
  • Conversion rates from lead to qualified opportunity
  • Number of meetings or enrolment discussions secured
  • Contribution to overall learner enrolments and employer partnerships
  • Accuracy and consistency of CRM and pipeline reporting

Where you'll work

  • This is a remote position wirth regular travel required 

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

On the job training with an experienced team 

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade C/4/Pass)
  • Maths (grade C/4/Pass)

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
  • Customer care skills
  • Relationship building skills
  • Microsoft software experience
  • Self motivated
  • Resilient
  • Driven
  • Confident
  • Engaging

Other requirements

  • DBS check will be required (can start the role without this being cleared, will be funded)

About this employer

Over the past 43 years, Dove Nest Group has developed and delivered world-class training and development solutions that enable organisations to unlock their potential through the development of their people.

https://www.dovenest.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • Length of service reward
  • Annual Wellbeing Day
  • 2 day for Charitable work
  • Employee Assistance
  • Health & Wellbeing Resources
  • Discounts at Lake District Venue (availability)

After this apprenticeship

  • This is a permanent position with a structured development path; on successful completion of the apprenticeship there is the opportunity to progress
  • For example, into a Sales Consultant role, or other roles within the business, for instance facilitation or team management

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SR APPRENTICESHIPS LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000029394.

Apply now

Closes in 30 days (Sunday 31 May 2026 at 11:59pm)