Graduate Account Manager - Entry Level (180)

Location: Pride Park, Derby Salary: Competitive + Performance Bonuses Company: Ford & Stanley - The Talent Services Group

Are you a recent graduate or early-career professional looking for a role that offers real responsibility, career progression, and the chance to make a meaningful impact? Do you enjoy solving problems, building relationships, and taking ownership of your work? Are you motivated by delivering exceptional service and making a difference to customers? If so, Ford & Stanley could be the perfect place to start your journey.

About Us

Ford & Stanley is a fast-growing Talent Services Group with a turnover of over £25 million and a strong reputation for quality—especially within the rail sector. Based in Derby, we're known for our collaborative culture, high standards, and commitment to delivering outstanding service.

We work with major clients who rely on us to manage their recruitment needs, and we're looking for someone who can become a trusted partner—working directly with hiring managers and directors, helping to solve their challenges and deliver results. Our success is built on strong relationships and a customer-first mindset, so we're looking for someone who genuinely cares about providing a top-tier experience to every client.

The Role: Graduate Account Manager (Level 1)

This role offers a strong foundation for building a long-term career in account management and recruitment. As an Account Manager, you'll take ownership of the full recruitment cycle for a high volume of vacancies, acting as the key link between our client and internal delivery teams. You'll be responsible for coordinating activity, maintaining clear communication, and resolving challenges with confidence and professionalism.

You'll be expected to deliver a high standard of service at every stage—whether it's managing expectations, solving problems, or ensuring smooth onboarding. A customer-focused approach is essential, as you'll be representing Ford & Stanley to key stakeholders and helping to build long-term, trusted relationships.

Key Responsibilities:

Manage end-to-end recruitment processes: role take-on, resource coordination, onboarding, compliance, and administration.
Build and maintain strong relationships with client stakeholders, confidently discussing their recruitment needs.
Ensure delivery teams meet timescales and quality expectations.
Conduct quality checks on CVs, reports, and correspondence.
Liaise with Finance to ensure accurate timesheet processing and invoicing.
Support site visits, CSR activities, and recruitment events—sometimes at short notice.
Deputise for the Senior Account Manager when required.
Champion customer satisfaction and service excellence across all touchpoints.
What You'll Need:

A 2:1 degree or higher (or equivalent).
Some experience in a customer-facing role where you've provided solutions.
A genuine desire to deliver outstanding service and build positive relationships.
Emotional intelligence, charisma, and a positive personality.
Strong organisational and planning skills.
Confidence in verbal and written communication.
A flexible, proactive approach and a hunger to learn.
Desirable Experience:

Previous account management or recruitment experience (an advantage, not essential).
Experience working to SLA targets and delivering against KPIs.
Ability to interpret and act on business data.
Excellent administration and documentation skills.
Strong business acumen and a desire to grow professionally.
Previous experience in a customer facing role where the customer experience is at the forefront of all activities.
Why This Role Is Perfect for Graduates:

This is a role where your hard work directly impacts your success—financially and personally. You'll be supported with structured learning, but you'll also be trusted to take ownership and grow quickly. If you're reliable, friendly, and driven, this is your ticket to becoming a high-value individual in a thriving business.

About Ford & Stanley Group
Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group are in the business of people and performance. Our mission is to create one million better workdays through facilitating great recruitment, leadership and occupational mental fitness. We support our clients in their most challenging business areas - recruiting, developing and retaining the best talent from shop floor to boardroom.

Ford & Stanley TalentWise - Business specialising in blue collar trade & technical services - permanent and temporary.
Ford & Stanley Recruitment - Business specialising in white collar spanning all company functions with specialist verticals within Digital, Rail Engineering, Civils & Infrastructure, General Manufacturing, Supply Chain & Logistics both permanent and contract.
Ford & Stanley Executive Search - Business specialising in Executive Search & Executive Interim Solutions in the UK, North America, Middle East and Europe.
Ford & Stanley Genius Performance - Performance is always accelerated when good people are coached, inspired, trained and focused in the right way.
Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is a Disability Confident employer that is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all opportunity seekers. We shall adhere to such a policy at all times and will review on an on-going basis all aspects of recruitment to avoid unlawful or undesirable discrimination. We will treat everyone equally irrespective sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief or political beliefs and we place an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy