Are you a qualified accountant who thrives on innovation, leadership, and client impact?
Do you enjoy building trusted relationships while driving meaningful improvements for businesses?
Are you looking for a role where strategic thinking, people development, and doing the right thing truly matter?
Gillespie Recruitment are delighted to be working with a highly respected, forward‑thinking professional services firm to recruit a Business Innovation Client Manager. This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious, qualified accountant who is passionate about helping businesses grow, leading high‑performing teams, and delivering excellent client outcomes.
This role sits within a busy and progressive Business Innovation team, working with a diverse portfolio of corporate and unincorporated clients across a range of sectors. You’ll play a pivotal role in shaping client relationships, supporting innovation, and developing people – all within an organisation that genuinely values flexibility, wellbeing, and long‑term career development.
The Role
As a Client Manager, you will take ownership of a varied client portfolio while also leading and developing a team of professionals.
You’ll act as a trusted adviser to your clients, providing technical expertise, insight, and guidance while helping them navigate challenges and opportunities. Alongside this, you’ll support team development, drive service excellence, and contribute to the ongoing evolution of the firm’s business innovation offering.
This is a senior, visible role with real influence – ideal for someone who enjoys balancing technical delivery with leadership, strategy, and relationship management.
Key Responsibilities
Client Management & Advisory
- Managing a portfolio of corporate and unincorporated clients across multiple sectors
- Acting as a key point of contact and trusted adviser to clients
- Delivering high‑quality technical advice across accounts and taxation
- Supporting clients with innovation, growth, and business improvement
Leadership & People Development
- Managing, mentoring, and developing a team of staff
- Encouraging a positive, high‑performance team culture
- Supporting learning, progression, and professional development
- Leading by example with integrity, professionalism, and collaboration
Service Delivery & Continuous Improvement
- Ensuring high standards of compliance, quality, and client care
- Contributing to the development of innovative service offerings
- Identifying opportunities to improve processes and client experience
- Working collaboratively with teams across the wider business
About You
Essential Experience & Qualifications
- ACA or ACCA qualified
- At least 3 years’ post‑qualified experience
- Proven experience managing a portfolio of clients across a variety of sectors
- Experience leading and managing a team of staff
- Strong technical knowledge of micro and small company accounts
- Excellent understanding of direct and indirect taxation
Desirable
- SAR / Audit experience (beneficial but not essential)
Personal Attributes
- Growth‑minded, ambitious, and forward‑thinking
- Highly client‑focused — always acting with integrity
- Resilient and confident making the right decisions, even when challenging
- Able to build genuine, long‑term relationships
- A collaborative team player who leads with positivity and purpose
- Committed to making a positive impact through all areas of work
What’s on Offer
- Permanent, full‑time role (36.5 hours per week)
- Salary of £42,000 – £48,000 (dependent on experience)
- Based in Jesmond (preferred) or Chester‑le‑Street
- Four‑day working week and flexible working hours
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (with additional accrual after year three)
- Your birthday off every year
- Paid volunteering time to support causes you care about
- Team development days and wellbeing initiatives
- Defined career pathway with genuine progression opportunities
- A supportive, progressive culture with a strong emphasis on people and purpose
Interested?
Apply today or contact Gillespie Recruitment to discuss this Client Manager opportunity in confidence.
If you’re looking for a senior accounting role that combines leadership, innovation, and values‑led client work, we’d love to hear from you.
