Key Account Manager

Organisation: Leicestershire County Council

Work Location: ESPO, Barnsdale Way, Grove Park, Enderby, Leicester, LE19 1ES

Salary: Grade 10, £35,451 - £39,165 per annum (pro-rata for part-time) (Pay Award Pending)

Working Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract Type: 12-month fixed contract / internal secondment

Closing Date: Sunday 28th June 2026

Interview Date(s): early July 2026

Are you an experienced sales or account manager with a passion for early years education? Do you have an education background? Do you have a background in the early years sector and understand the learning areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)? Do you want to help shape how early years providers access high-quality resources to support young children’s development?

About the Role

We're looking for an Early Years Key Account Manager, to help ESPO grow and support our early years customer base. This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the UK's most successful public sector suppliers and contribute to our mission of delivering excellent, innovative resources to nurseries, preschools and childcare providers nationwide. In this role, you’ll manage a portfolio of early years customers, helping to retain and grow revenue, while identifying new prospects and strategic opportunities across the sector. You’ll develop and implement business plans, analyse customer data, gather market insight, and ensure that all customers receive a first-class ESPO experience. You will enjoy a flexible working arrangement split between home, our ESPO office in Leicester, and customer site visits. Occasional weekend work and overnight stays may be required to attend and exhibit at events. Due to the nature of the role, a full driving licence and access to your own vehicle are essential.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package featuring wellbeing support and opportunities for personal and professional development. Upon successful completion of your probation period, you’ll also become eligible for our generous pension scheme and optional salary sacrifice car scheme.

About You

• Knowledge or experience of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) or the early years education sector is essential
• You will be working closely with education providers therefore you must be solution focused
• Proven experience in business development or account management
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships with customers
• Confidence in using data to monitor customer engagement and record performance
• A formal sales qualification or relevant training (or equivalent practical experience)
• The ability to work independently, manage your time, and prioritise tasks
• Access to your own transport and a willingness to travel to customer sites

What we offer

• Flexible working opportunities and access to employee benefits portal with car lease scheme.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service), and a scheme to buy additional leave.
• Local Government Pension Scheme with a generous employer contribution.
• Opportunities for learning and development (e.g. CIPS or CIM).
• Great office location next to Fosse Park, with free on-site parking and easy access to M1 and M69.

In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our values and to delivering accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all of our customers. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these commitments as part of the selection process. Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer.

Interested in Flexible Working? We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part time working, job sharing, term-time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service. If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below.