Head of Client Engagement
Head of Client Engagement

Head of Client Engagement

Full-Time 50000 - 65000 ÂŁ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Serco

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: Competitive salary, company car, bonus scheme, private medical insurance, and flexible hours.
  • Other info: Enjoy 25 days holiday, extensive training opportunities, and a supportive work culture.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on communities and shape partnerships that matter.
  • Qualifications: Senior experience in business development and exceptional relationship-building skills required.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 ÂŁ 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 employer: Serco

As the Head of Client Engagement at the UK Resilience Academy, you will join a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to enhancing national resilience through impactful partnerships and innovative solutions. With a flexible home-based role that includes UK travel, you will benefit from a competitive salary, a comprehensive benefits package including a company car and private medical insurance, and extensive opportunities for professional development through over 1,100 internal courses. The inclusive work culture fosters collaboration and personal growth, making it an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
Serco

Contact Detail:

Serco Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Client Engagement

✨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 on LinkedIn. The more connections you make, the better your chances of landing that Head of Client Engagement role.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or at networking events, share your insights on resilience and client engagement. This will position you as a thought leader and make you memorable.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its impact. Understand their mission and how you can contribute to strengthening national resilience. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our mission.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Client Engagement

Business Development
Client Engagement Strategy
Relationship Building
Influencing Skills
Communication Skills
Strategic Partnerships
Commercial Awareness
Project Management
Stakeholder Management
Resilience and Risk Management
Government Policy Familiarity
Cross-Sector Collaboration
Negotiation Skills
Leadership Skills

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 us how your skills align with our mission at the UK Resilience Academy.

Showcase Your Achievements: We want to see your impact! Include specific examples of high-value programmes or partnerships you've secured in the past. Quantify your successes where possible, as numbers can really make your application stand out.

Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your written application. We value authenticity and want to get a sense of who you are beyond your professional achievements. Share your passion for resilience and community engagement!

Apply Through Our Website: To ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, please apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and keep you updated on the process. We can't wait to hear from you!

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 with senior stakeholders.

✨Be a Thought Leader

Think about how you can position yourself as an ambassador for the UKRA. Share insights on current trends in resilience and risk management during the interview, demonstrating your knowledge and passion for the field.

✨Ask Smart Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in the role and the organisation. Inquire about their strategic goals or challenges they face in client engagement, which will demonstrate your proactive mindset and genuine interest in contributing to their success.

Head of Client Engagement
Serco

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