Shaping Lives purpose is clear, to shape the next generation of early years educators, equipping them with the skills, confidence, and passion needed to inspire young minds. Our apprenticeships don’t just provide qualifications—they empower educators to grow in their careers, while making a lasting impact in nurseries.
Our goal is to make learning engaging, accessible, and transformative. Developing and equipping educators with the skills, knowledge and confidence to fulfil their potential, make a positive impact and to inspire others in their turn.
Location: Office Based - Bristol (Origin Workspace, 40 Berkeley Square, BS8 1HP)
Salary: £25,000 - 30,000 plus commission
Due to the exciting announcement of our specialist Early Years brand, Shaping Lives, we have a number of new Sales Executive roles available to support our ambitious growth plans! In this role you will be a key member of the evolving team and support in identifying Early Years new business opportunities and apprenticeship starts in line with agreed targets to offer further apprenticeship solutions.
You will use your growing sales experience to identify and approach companies to generate starts by tailoring your approach aligned to their values, beliefs, and strategies to position Shaping Lives as a trusted partner and their provider of choice.
What will you be doing?
· Identify new business and client opportunities within our core markets, exceeding apprenticeship targets
· Ensure all learner eligibility is met via a new business and account management activities
· Work alongside Business Development Managers to generate further new business to meet ambitious growth plans
· Develop an engagement plan to generate new sales leads and apprenticeship opportunities within SME’s
· Support BDMs with large corporate organisations who would benefit from apprentices
· Share ideas, provide valuable insights and advice at to learners and employers
· Work consultatively with prospective clients, crating world-class apprenticeship delivery models bespoke to their needs
· Build and nurture strong and sustainable relationships with key client contacts at all levels
. Deliver an exceptional customer experience to every client, every time
· Work collaboratively with internal colleagues ensuring all new business deliverables are communicated effectively
. Ensure all commercial arrangements are agreed as part of the on-boarding process
· Adhere to GDPR regulations and all internal information and data security policies and procedures
· Proactively promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people
What we need from you:
· Sales experience including Business to Business (B2B) and Business to Customer (B2C)
· Successful track record of meeting and exceeding targets
· Experience of nurturing relationships and managing accounts in a consultative and influential way
· Experience of presenting to decision makers at all levels both face to face and remotely in informal and formal environments
· A strong commercial background
· The ability to manage your own time, workload and resources effectively
. Well-developed interpersonal, motivational and communication skills
· Creative thinker with an open minded, solutions focused and forward-thinking approach
· A desire to make a difference with a passion for the apprenticeship sector
· Excellent IT skills, including the use of MS Office (knowledge of CRM systems would be advantageous)
· Use of a car insured for business use and ability to travel nationally
· Able to work flexible hours and commit to overnight stays as and when required
Shaping Lives is an inclusive, welcoming and supportive place to work with a fantastic culture which supports each employees learning, development and career growth.
We are proud to offer a suite of benefits which are optional benefits including life assurance and income protection and core benefits below;
. 20 days annual leave - increasing with length of service and a holiday purchase scheme
. 3 Gifted Days for our Operational December Closure and 8 Public Bank Holidays
. Up to 3 days of paid volunteering leave and corporate conscience initiatives
. Perkbox – a suite of lifestyle benefits and wellness tools
. Uncapped Commission
. Recognition and long service awards to celebrate our colleagues’
. Colleague referral bonus payments
Shaping Lives is committed to the safeguarding and wellbeing of our learners and colleagues and we implement robust safer recruitment practices to support this. Dependant on the role you are applying for, we may undertake a number of necessary checks to confirm you are suitable to work with children and vulnerable adults, which may include a Disclosure and Barring Service check. We are also committed to promoting equality and inclusion throughout our colleague and learner populations.