Senior Client Manager - Public sector

Job Title: Senior Client Manager - Public sector

Department: Consultancy and Research

Location: Bristol Office with hybrid working available

Pay Scale: £60,000 - £65,000k depending on experience

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full Time (37.5 hours per week)

The Workforce Development Trust

The Workforce Development Trust (WDT) is a not-for-profit organisation that provides services that support employers to develop skilled, sustainable, and efficient workforces in the UK and abroad. We operate via our five brands; Skills for Health, Skills for Justice, SFJ Awards, iCQ Awards and People 1st International, which deliver specialist, targeted skills interventions to support a variety of frontline public services

Job summary

WDT Consulting creates lasting, measurable impact across the Public Sector. We combine consultancy expertise with public purpose to build a competent, resilient and effective workforce that delivers better outcomes for the public. We are a supportive, collaborative team that cares as much about how we work together as what we achieve – with passion, innovation, respect and integrity. Guided by our Consultancy Charter, WDT Consulting share ideas, learn from each other and celebrate success.

The Senior Client Manager will grow strategic accounts across health and care, justice, emergency services and local government. You’ll shape client strategy, develop consultancy propositions and build long-term partnerships that drive sustainable workforce transformation.

As a respected not-for-profit organisation with a strong Sector Skills Council heritage, we offer the opportunity to combine commercial growth with meaningful public impact, supported by trusted national brands, established sector relationships and specialist expertise.

You’ll work with senior decision-makers to understand their challenges and bring together the right expertise to develop practical, commercially viable solutions. Taking ownership from initial market insight and relationship building through to proposal development, negotiation and conversion, you’ll turn opportunities into lasting client value.

What success will look like

Within your first 12 months, you’ll have built a well-qualified pipeline, secured new and expanded business against agreed revenue and margin targets, strengthened senior client relationships and shaped solutions that can be delivered effectively and profitably.

Disciplined forecasting, sustained market engagement and close collaboration with delivery colleagues will underpin your success.

To thrive in this role, you’ll bring:

• A track record of originating, winning and growing complex, high-value consultancy or professional services work.
• The ability to diagnose client challenges, shape bespoke solutions with subject matter experts and present compelling commercial cases.
• Strong networks and credibility in one or more public service sectors, with the confidence to open doors and build new relationships.
• Experience of meeting stretching commercial targets, supported by disciplined qualification, forecasting and CRM management.
• A proactive, resilient and curious approach, using client insight and learning to strengthen your propositions.

In return, you’ll have the scope and support to lead with confidence, transform services and create long-term value. You’ll join a purpose-driven team that values ambitious thinking, creative problem-solving and measurable impact - where your ideas and contribution matter.

Key responsibilities

Strategic Business Development

• Develop and deliver regional and sector business development plans aligned with strategic
• Build a self-generated pipeline through targeted market development, senior networking, referrals, partnerships and insight-led conversations, beyond inbound leads and published

Client Relationships & Strategic Account Leadership

• Build trusted relationships across the public and third sectors, using existing networks to establish credibility and develop new strategic opportunities.
• Engage employers, commissioners and senior decision-makers with expert insight aligned to their workforce and skills needs.

Consultative Selling & Tendering

• Lead the end-to-end bid process, from scoping and solution development with subject matter experts to writing, presenting and submitting high-quality, commercially viable proposals aligned with client needs and WDT/C&R objectives.
• Lead or support negotiations, secure commercial agreements and prepare internal business cases.

Innovation, Insight & Influence

• Monitor workforce trends, strategic challenges and policy developments to provide forward-looking advice that informs clients’ workforce decisions.
• Share client and market insight internally to strengthen our offer and proposition.

General Requirements

• Uphold corporate standards, policies and procedures, including financial governance, confidentiality and data protection, exercising discretion with sensitive and commercially significant information.
• Act as an ambassador for the organisation, promoting its mission and services with professionalism and passion.
• Work autonomously with minimal supervision, managing complex workloads and competing proposal, tender and client priorities.
• Travel regularly across the UK

Please download full JD here and our job pack here.

Please include your CV and cover letter explaining why you

would be suitable for this role.

This job requires some days in the office. Please consider if you are willing to relocate before applying.

Only apply if you currently have a valid right to work in the UK.

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

We reserve the right to alter the closing date before the one stated.

Benefits:

• Generous annual leave entitlement up to a maximum of 28 days, plus public holidays and a potential Christmas closure
• Flexible working - 50% working from home with a dress for your day approach
• Staggered start and finish time
• Employee referral recruitment scheme
• We provide enhanced leave, bereavement, carers, maternity, paternity and sickness leave.
• Health and wellbeing benefits, access to our mental health first aiders, a confidential employee assistance programme, free eye tests and payment for an annual flu jab
• Enhanced pension scheme, with a contribution matching up to a combined 12%, and the option to join the Salary Exchange Pension Scheme along with death in service coverage at three times annual salary.
• Flexible employee benefits, portal including a cycle to work scheme
• Buy annual leave scheme
• Organisational development days and departmental training budgets
• Payroll giving, this is a tax-free way to donate to any charity, good cause or place of worship

The Workforce Development Trust is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone.

If your experience differs a little from what is outlined in the job description, or you are missing a desired qualification, yet you think you can bring value to this role, please apply, we would like to hear more about you.

We strongly encourage people of all gender, religion, ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientation, and individuals with disabilities to apply.

If you need any reasonable adjustments at any point, please let us know. In your application, please feel free to advise on your preferred pronouns, for example she/her, he/him, they/them etc.

Closing date: Sunday 29th November 2026