CRM Manager Review

I am a CRM Manager for Barclays UK specialising in Salesforce Business-Side Change Deployment. This means I am tasked with building out, managing and implementing declarative changes requests from business areas across the business. I work closely with the six primary business areas as well as onshore/offshore technology teams. Strong stakeholder management and communication skills required.

From a technical standpoint, my skills and knowledge have increased threefold. I am now a Certified Salesforce Administrator having completed 600 Salesforce badges and 7 Superbadges (all self-taught). My knowledge is increasing everyday as I have the opportunity to get involved in so many projects and continually upskill myself. However, my professional skills such as stakeholder management, leadership, interpersonal and business skills are also tested daily so are also continually developing.

I love being on the programme - I have been very fortunate to have the opportunity to join the programme as it has meant for me that I have been able to study as well as gaining valuable experience that will hopefully enable me to secure a permanent position with the bank (or equivalent) going forward.

The programme from an academic point of view is structured very well. Our assignments and deadline dates are communicated to us well in advance and our tutors do their very best to keep us informed of any changes. Especially given the unprecedented times during the pandemic, the structure has been kept in tact.

Our employer provides us a lot of support. Primarily for me this comes from my direct team and Line Manager. They support me everyday whether this be through providing me opportunities to learn/develop, or mentoring me with personal development/upskilling. During the pandemic from a wellbeing point of view, a number of resources have been available to utilise if needed.

The university have been very supportive when working towards our qualifications. Although it has been very difficult during the pandemic as face to face contact has not been allowed, they have still attempted to keep us in regular contact so we know what is going on. They provide as many resources as possible and the online library has been an extremely useful source for our assignments. Particularly when we have to work virtually.

I feel that my qualification helps me primarily with developing business related skills, particularly leadership skills. It increases my self-awareness and teaches me valuable models and techniques relating to managing change/communication/presentation styles which I am able to use daily in my existing role. All the skills I learn through the University I find myself regularly embedding in my work life.

I am the Logistical Officer for the WIN Network (Women in Banking and Finance/Gender Network). There are multiple forums and networks to get involved in and support, as well as sports teams and professional networking events (typically - however, at present due to the COVID pandemic and geographical restrictions, a number of these are either not going ahead or are happening virtually).

Yes

I find Barclays to be an outstanding employer. The additional rewards on top of my salary are hugely advantageous (particularly share schemes), the wage is competitive, and the learning qualifications/degree I study for alongside working is relatable, enjoyable and useful. I have been very lucky to work for Barclays and would recommend to anyone. My current team/Line Manager are extremely supportive and have made me feel included during the COVID pandemic which is hard to achieve in a virtual environment.

Be confident in who you are - do not try and pretend to be someone else, or 'fit in'. Bring your whole self to the interview process and let your personality shine through. Barclays value individuals, therefore you don't need to try and pretend to be anyone else. Read up on the Barclays values as they are incredibly important and used/referred to daily.