At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead client relationships and drive business development for national resilience initiatives.
- Company: Join the UK Resilience Academy, a key player in strengthening national safety.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company car, bonus scheme, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and extensive training opportunities available.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities and government through strategic partnerships.
- Qualifications: Senior experience in business development and exceptional relationship-building skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Home-based with UK travel required
Salary: Competitive salary plus excellent benefits including company car, bonus scheme and private medical insurance
Schedule: 37.5 hours per week, hours will work around diary requirements and can be flexible for the successful candidate
As the new Head of Client Engagement for the UK Resilience Academy (UKRA), you’ll lead high-value client relationships and business development activity that helps strengthen national resilience across the UK. This is a senior, outward-facing role with real influence – shaping partnerships, creating growth, and ensuring our work delivers positive impact where it matters most. The UKRA plays a critical role in supporting government, industry, and communities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from major risks and emergencies. Reporting to the CEO of UKRA, your work will help build trusted partnerships, create impactful solutions, and translate strategic relationships into meaningful programmes that support a safer, more resilient future.
Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver the UK Resilience Academy’s business development and client engagement strategy, identifying and securing new opportunities across public, private, and third sector organisations.
- Lead senior client engagement for high-value and strategically important contracts, ensuring strong relationships built on trust, care, and credibility.
- Act as a senior ambassador for the UK Resilience Academy, representing the organisation at national forums, events, and strategic discussions.
- Build and sustain partnerships with government departments, private sector, industry leaders and civil society organisations.
- Oversee the delivery and implementation of the UK Resilience Academy Exercising Hub, working closely with internal teams to align client needs with high-quality delivery.
- Track, report, and communicate growth, impact, and partnership outcomes against agreed objectives.
Qualifications
You’ll be a great fit for this role if you have:
- Significant senior experience in business development, strategic partnerships, or external engagement within complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
- A proven track record of securing and managing high-value programmes, collaborations, or contracts.
- Strong commercial awareness and the ability to operate confidently across public, private, and third sector landscapes.
- Exceptional relationship-building, influencing, and communication skills, with credibility at senior executive level.
- Experience shaping strategic propositions and translating vision into deliverable, scalable outcomes.
Desirable
- Experience in resilience, risk, security, infrastructure, emergency management, or national capability-building environments.
- Familiarity with government policy landscapes and cross-sector partnership models.
- Exposure to innovation, research collaboration, or thought leadership initiatives.
Vetting and Checks
This role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance, which involves verifying your identity, employment history, nationality, and criminal record to meet government security standards. In addition, you will need to obtain formal Security Clearance (such as CTC or SC), which includes more detailed background checks on employment, criminal record, and financial history to ensure suitability for working in secure environments. Please note that UK residency requirements may apply for certain levels of clearance. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire so we can identify and provide any support you may need to undertake the role effectively.
What We Offer
- Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays (and the option to buy up to five additional leave days each year)
- Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
- Bonus: A performance-based bonus scheme
- Company car
- Private medical insurance
- Training and development: Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships, mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression
- Health and wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
- Discounts: Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
- Charity: Paid volunteering day, tax-free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity
- Employee networks: Our networks support inclusion and connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, veterans, and people from all cultural backgrounds.
Head of Client Engagement in Cornwall employer: Serco
Contact Detail:
Serco Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Client Engagement in Cornwall
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with someone from the company, let your enthusiasm for the role and the mission shine through. People love to see genuine interest, especially in a role that’s all about client engagement.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research the UK Resilience Academy and understand their goals and challenges. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in building partnerships and delivering impactful solutions.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After any meeting or interview, drop a quick thank-you note. It shows professionalism and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great way to reiterate your interest in the role!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Client Engagement in Cornwall
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Client Engagement role. Highlight your experience in business development and client engagement, and show how your skills align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to secure high-value contracts and build strong relationships. Use metrics where possible to quantify your impact and make your application stand out.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your written application. We want to see who you are beyond your qualifications. Share your passion for resilience and how you envision contributing to the UK Resilience Academy's mission.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. This ensures your application is seen by the right people and helps us keep track of all candidates effectively. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Serco
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the UK Resilience Academy's mission and recent projects. Understanding their work will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in building partnerships and enhancing national resilience.
✨Showcase Your Relationships
Prepare to discuss specific examples of high-value client relationships you've built in the past. Highlight how these connections have led to successful outcomes, as this role is all about trust and credibility in senior engagements.
✨Be Ready for Strategic Discussions
Expect questions that assess your ability to shape strategic propositions. Think about how you've translated vision into actionable plans before, and be ready to share those insights during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Your Commercial Awareness
Brush up on current trends in resilience, risk management, and government policies. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you can navigate the complex landscape of public, private, and third sector organisations effectively.