Apprentice Business Development Executive - WERK

Introduction

Build a strong sales pipeline for WERK, supporting CitAL’s aim to diversify income. Proactively engage prospective Founding Organisations and clients to secure discovery meetings. Maintain accurate CRM records, represent WERK professionally, and develop core B2B sales skills through structured training and weekly CEO coaching.

About the Employer

Citizens Advice LeicesterShire is an independent and local non-profit organisation. Our purpose is “Sharing knowledge to transform lives”.

What You'll Do

This is a home-based role with regular travel across Leicestershire to visit learners and employers. 

You will join a structured, hands-on learning programme, initially supporting the CEO and learning WERK’s systems, products and sales approach. As your confidence and capability develop, you will take increasing ownership of the sales cycle, from prospecting and lead generation through to discovery meetings, proposals, negotiation and closing.

Business Development & Pipeline Building:

• Work proactively from an agreed target list of prospective organisations, using professional outreach across phone, email, LinkedIn and other channels to secure meetings
• Qualify prospects against agreed criteria, prioritising quality and potential over activity volume alone
• Identify and follow up warm introductions, referrals and opportunities from across the organisation and wider network
• Support the CEO in developing target lists, outreach messaging and sales collateral
• Initially attend discovery meetings alongside the CEO, progressing towards independently leading introductory meetings and simple sales pitches
• Develop the commercial knowledge and confidence to progress opportunities through the sales pipeline

Relationship Management & Representation:

• Build strong relationships with prospective Founding Organisations, HR contacts and senior decision-makers across a range of sectors
• Represent WERK and Citizens Advice Leicestershire professionally at networking events, introductory calls and other profile-raising opportunities
• Clearly communicate WERK’s products and services, including the Friction Finder, Workplace Friction Index and WERK Flow Programme, referring detailed or bespoke discussions to the CEO
• Maintain relationships with existing clients, ensuring satisfaction, upselling and cross-selling opportunities, and supporting contract renewals

CRM, Reporting & Commercial Performance:

• Maintain accurate, up-to-date CRM records covering contacts, conversations, opportunities and pipeline stages
• Provide weekly progress updates against agreed targets as part of coaching sessions with the CEO
• Track personal activity and conversion metrics, including outreach, meetings secured and opportunities converted, providing clear visibility of pipeline performance
• Develop commercial acumen by learning how to prepare financial proposals, calculate client ROI and understand pricing, profitability and margins

Coaching, Apprenticeship & Progression:

• Attend weekly coaching and development sessions with the CEO covering target-list reviews, deal coaching, sales skills and personal development
• Follow an agreed development pathway, progressing from shadowing meetings and negotiations to independently leading introductory meetings, pitches and elements of the full sales cycle
• As WERK’s pipeline and client base grow, there is a clear opportunity to progress into a lead business development role, potentially supported by future team growth

Wider Responsibilities:

• Uphold the aims, values and equal opportunities principles of Citizens Advice Leicestershire
• Complete required training, including annual Data Protection training, and comply with relevant policies and procedures
• Follow health & safety requirements and take reasonable responsibility for the safety of yourself and colleagues
• Accommodate reasonable changes to working hours where required to support business needs
• Undertake other reasonable duties necessary to support the effective operation of the organisation

Training Outcome

This role is a pilot so future prospects depend on the success of the role.

Skills Required

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Problem solving skills
• Administrative skills
• Team working
• Initiative
• Ability to build rapport
• Willingness to learn
• Proactive
• Resilient
• Confident
• Self motivated

Qualifications

• Desired - GCSE - English - C/4/Pass
• Desired - GCSE - Maths - C/4/Pass

Course Information

Course: Sales executive (level 4)

Level: 4

Route: Sales, marketing and procurement

Apprenticeship Level: Higher

Working Arrangements

Working Week: Days to be negotiated. 9am to 5pm with a 30-minute unpaid lunchbreak. 37.5 weekly hours to be considered as the role and pipeline develop.

Expected Duration: 1 Year 6 Months

Training Provider: SR APPRENTICESHIPS LIMITED