Client Partner in Manchester

We are looking for a Client Partner to own and grow Softwire's relationships with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and its associated bodies, including GDS and relevant arm's-length organisations. The role is focused on building a strategic footprint within DSIT, turning existing delivery credibility into sustained, proactive growth across digital, data, AI and modern service delivery. You will be accountable for senior stakeholder relationships, account strategy, opportunity identification and bid leadership across this landscape. Working closely with delivery leaders to stay grounded in client context, your primary focus is on shaping future opportunities and converting them into long-term, multi-service engagements. You will report to the Client Success Director. As part of the wider public sector leadership team, you will contribute to a portfolio of £25m+ with clear growth ambitions over the next 2-3 years. This role supports flexible working, but regular presence with DSIT and similar stakeholders is expected.

Success in the role:

• Strength and depth of senior DSIT relationships
• Quality, predictability and relevance of the pipeline
• Conversion of priority opportunities into sustainable wins
• Growth aligned to Softwire's modern services strategy

Focus Area: DSIT & Central Digital

• DSIT (core department)
• Government Digital Service (GDS)
• Relevant DSIT arm's-length bodies (e.g. IPO, Met Office, UKRI)

DSIT account strategy:

• Develop and own a clear DSIT account strategy, covering priority directorates, agencies and stakeholders
• Known and emerging programmes
• How Softwire's strengths align to DSIT's policy and delivery agenda (AI, data, digital transformation, service modernisation)
• Build and maintain trusted relationships at Deputy Director and Director level across DSIT and its delivery bodies
• Position Softwire as a credible, delivery-led partner in modern digital services
• Track DSIT policy, funding and delivery priorities and translate them into clear opportunity hypotheses
• Work with delivery, practice and marketing teams to support targeted thought leadership and engagement activity aligned to DSIT's agenda
• Own the DSIT account plan, including revenue targets, pipeline and growth strategy
• Expand Softwire's footprint from individual engagements to multi-year, multi-service relationships
• Ensure opportunities are identified early, shaped collaboratively and aligned to Softwire's strengths
• Maintain a strong view of upcoming DSIT opportunities, both formal and informal
• Lead bid and pitch strategy, including win themes, positioning and client narrative
• Bring deep client context into bids and senior conversations, supported by delivery and technical colleagues

You are an experienced public sector client or account leader who:

• Has strong knowledge of central government, ideally within digital, data or technology-led programmes
• Brings existing credibility within DSIT, GDS or adjacent bodies (or can build this quickly)
• Has a track record of turning delivery credibility into growth, not just managing existing work
• Is comfortable working with outcome-based, multidisciplinary services rather than pure staff augmentation
• Thinks strategically about accounts but is hands-on when needed
• Spots opportunities early and engages clients ahead of formal procurement
• Can shape clear, compelling narratives linking client needs to delivery capability
• Is collaborative by default and enjoys working as part of a senior leadership team
• Is comfortable operating in ambiguous, evolving environments
• Has experience with account planning, pipeline management and bid leadership
• Motivates teams around shared client goals and works constructively through delivery and organisational constraints

About Softwire:

Softwire is a leading UK technology and strategy consultancy. From enterprise to government, we help visionary organisations turn strategic ambitions into results at scale. Our practices cover AI transformation, data platforms, systems engineering, advanced CX and experience design. Softwire was founded on one simple idea: if we can create the best possible culture and working environment then everything else will fall into place. We were recently voted number 1 company to work for in the UK at the Best Company awards, and we are a successful and growing supplier to the UK public sector with a great track record creating high quality services that cater for everyone. We’ve worked across government in Trade (UKEF), Healthcare (OHID), Climate Change (DESNZ), National Security, Elections, and Grants (DLUHC). We deliver full-lifecycle projects from Discovery, through Alpha, Beta, and long-term support. We have a mature and successful offering with strong relationships across several departments and successful £multi-million engagements delivering high quality outcomes for citizens and government. We plan to expand both our capabilities and our scale, and we are looking for someone to support this growth and provide the structure to enable us to scale. We are currently on the Digital Outcomes and Specialists (DOS) framework, GCloud, TS3 (via a partner), and the DALAS framework (HMRC). We plan to expand to other frameworks in the future.

Core beliefs:

• That if a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing properly.
• That work should be both fulfilling and fun.
• That kindness matters and should be extended to employees and clients alike.
• That by being trusting and trustworthy as an organisation and as individuals we can dispense with tedious bureaucracy and rules.

When you work with Softwire, you're not only becoming part of a team with in-depth skills and delivery expertise - you’ll be working in a high-trust environment alongside skilled, kind, fun people who are passionate about creating amazing services and experiences that solve real problems.

Salary and Benefits:

• Salary: £92,100 to £103,700 with an average of between £15,000 and £20,000 in profit share.
• Softwire operates transparent pay scales and a profit share scheme based on role and overall company performance.
• Highly competitive base that ranges from £92,100-£103,700 based on experience.
• You can expect to receive a substantial profit share based on company performance which ranges from £15,000-£20,000.
• Pension: Additional 5% of salary.
• 25 days annual leave (with the option to buy up-to 10 more days).
• Time off for company-wide morale events, time off for charitable activities.
• Free annual eye test, income protection, cycle to work, electric vehicle lease schemes, and payroll charity donations.