Client Relationship Manager – Learning & Development / Training Western Cape

An established organisation within the learning and development, training and skills development sector is seeking two experienced Client Relationship Managers to join its team, servicing the Cape Town area. The successful candidates will be responsible for developing and maintaining strong client relationships, identifying opportunities to grow existing and new business, engaging with senior and executive stakeholders, and positioning appropriate training, learning and skills development solutions in response to client needs. This opportunity is suited to a commercially minded relationship professional who understands the corporate training and learning environment and is comfortable engaging decision-makers at senior and executive level.

Client Relationship & Stakeholder Management

Build, develop and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective clients within the corporate learning and development environment. Serve as a key point of contact for strategic accounts and senior-level client engagements. Develop a thorough understanding of clients' businesses, workforce development priorities and training requirements. Engage with key decision-makers to understand organisational challenges and identify appropriate learning and development solutions. Manage client expectations and maintain consistently high levels of service and relationship satisfaction. Build long-term partnerships that support client retention and sustainable business growth.

Learning & Development Solutions

Engage clients regarding their training, skills development and workforce development requirements. Support the positioning of appropriate learning interventions, including skills programmes, qualifications, learnerships and non-credit-bearing training programmes. Work closely with internal stakeholders to ensure that proposed learning solutions appropriately address client requirements. Remain informed of developments and trends within the corporate training, learning and skills development environment. Identify opportunities to expand the range of learning and development solutions offered to existing clients.

Business Development & Account Growth

Identify and pursue opportunities to develop new client relationships and expand existing accounts. Generate and develop a sustainable pipeline of business opportunities within the corporate training and skills development market. Conduct client meetings, presentations and needs discussions with prospective and existing clients. Support the preparation of proposals, presentations and other client-facing documentation. Contribute towards revenue growth through effective account management, relationship development and identification of new business opportunities. Monitor market developments and identify opportunities for further business growth.

Facilitation, Presentations & Client Engagement

Plan and facilitate client meetings, workshops, presentations and strategic discussions. Confidently present learning and development solutions to stakeholders at various organisational levels. Facilitate discussions that clarify client needs and result in practical and commercially viable solutions. Encourage collaboration and constructive engagement between clients and relevant internal stakeholders. Represent the organisation professionally during client meetings, presentations and industry engagements.

CRM & Customer Insights

Maintain accurate and current client and prospect information on the CRM system. Manage client interactions, opportunities and follow-up activities through the CRM platform. Analyse customer information to identify trends, opportunities and potential areas for account growth. Monitor client engagement and contribute to strategies aimed at improving customer retention. Produce relevant reports and insights to support business development and management decision-making.

Executive-Level Engagement

Build credible relationships with senior managers, executives and other key decision-makers. Prepare and deliver professional presentations to executive and senior-level stakeholders. Demonstrate confidence, credibility and strong executive presence during high-level engagements. Communicate recommendations and proposed solutions clearly and persuasively. Influence decision-making through an understanding of client requirements and the effective presentation of appropriate solutions.

Reporting & Strategic Communication

Prepare professional reports, presentations, proposals and briefing documents. Provide management with regular updates on client activity, opportunities, risks and pipeline development. Maintain accurate reporting relating to stakeholder engagement, CRM activity and business development initiatives. Translate client requirements and market information into clear and actionable insights.

Minimum Requirements

A relevant Bachelor's degree in Commerce, Business Administration or a related field. Proven experience in client relationship management, account management, stakeholder engagement or business development. Experience within the learning and development, training, skills development or related education/training services environment will be highly advantageous. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain relationships with corporate clients and senior decision-makers. Experience identifying and developing business opportunities within an existing or prospective client portfolio. Hands-on experience using CRM systems and maintaining customer and pipeline information. Strong executive presence with the confidence to engage effectively in boardroom and senior-management environments. Excellent presentation, facilitation, communication, negotiation and influencing skills. Strong commercial awareness with the ability to identify opportunities for client and revenue growth. Strong analytical, planning and problem-solving abilities. Ability to work independently and manage a portfolio of client relationships effectively.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be a relationship-driven and commercially astute professional who is comfortable combining client relationship management with business development.