Role Overview:
As a client facing Partnership Relationship Manager in RIFT Accounting (a division of the RIFT Group) you will be responsible for the Sales pipeline, with a strong focus on developing and managing partnerships with organisations that make a significant contribution towards meeting our sales targets. Based in the South East, you will identify, win and close new business contracts with SME clients and strategic partners, and be accountable for the entire sales process from research through to negotiations and closure.

The ideal candidate will possess a minimum 3-5 year’s sales experience, have a good understanding of financial solutions and have a credible and intelligent approach to sales. The role requires you to have excellent communication and presentation skills and you must be able to liaise at senior levels within a wide variety of companies. This role is well suited to an established business developer looking to progress their career, motivated by delivering an excellent customer experience and looking for an engaging, dynamic and autonomous place to work.

Key Responsibilities:
1. Identify, prospect and establish relationships with decision makers within potential partner organisations.
2. Plan the approach and pitch to decision makers within the partner organisations, always based around a win: win for them (meeting their needs present and future) and us (generating a required level of profitable business).
3. Manage the relationship to ensure the forecasted sales are delivered and that partners are always happy with how we work and engage with their customers.
4. Own the Sales pipeline, ensuring lead generation targets are met, and collaborating with the Marketing team to maximise opportunities.
5. Always seek opportunities to present new products and service and enhance existing relationships.
6. Work seamlessly across the RIFT marketing and delivery teams to increase sales – for example through using the knowledge of the market and competitors to further refine our USP and differentiators.
7. Submit weekly progress reports and ensure data accurately recorded on our CRM database.

Required knowledge and experience:
1. Have a desire and ability to build and create long-lasting relationships with partners and have a solid clear track record delivering in a sales orientated environment
2. Are ideally degree level qualified and 3-5 years sales and marketing experience
3. Are a self-starter and natural leader with a strong desire to win and grow personally and professionally
4. Are comfortable managing and scaling many partners as well as working cross functionally with colleagues
5. Have a genuine interest in our services and how they can make a difference to our customers
6. Ideally know our market place and partners with whom we currently work – including professional service companies, trade & sector associations, chambers of commerce, public authorities, financial service providers, banks, chambers of commerce, business support organisations and academic institutions.
7. Ideally have a background in supporting start-ups and SMEs, understanding the problems they experience and support that is available to help them overcome them.

Skills and attributes:
1. Have excellent sales and negotiation skills with ability to close deals
2. Have strong communication and organisation skills and strong ability to interface with all levels of management
3. Are comfortable networking, prospecting and presenting
4. Are able to handle objections by clarifying, emphasizing agreements and working through differences to a positive conclusion
5. Have the ability to create a rapport with people quickly
6. Have the desire to constantly surprise and delight our customers
7. Have the ability to problem solve and work calmly under pressure
8. Have an understanding of the needs of business, how to talk to them and support their aspirations
9. Have outstanding IT, budget and report writing skills
10. Have initiative, enthusiasm and ambition

Hours of work: 37.5 hours a week. The nature of the post will, at times, require additional commitment over and above normal office hours. Payment for these hours is incorporated in the salary offered.

If you are interested in this role please email vacancies@riftgroup.com to request an application form.

The closing date for applications is Friday 27th February 2015.