Head of Key Accounts

About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Head of Key Accounts to lead our National Accounts function across Great Britain and Ireland. This senior leadership role is responsible for driving customer retention, profitable growth, and the strategic development of key national account relationships while leading and developing a high-performing team. The role currently operates across GB & Ireland, with future potential to expand into a broader responsibility covering the Netherlands.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Management
Lead, motivate and develop a team of 10 colleagues, including Key Account Managers and operational support professionals.
Drive a high-performance, customer-focused culture across the team.
Build capability, coach team members and support succession planning.
Manage performance, recruitment and organisational development activities as required.
Lead a geographically dispersed team, ensuring strong communication, engagement and collaboration.
Customer & Commercial Management
Develop and maintain senior-level relationships with strategic national account customers.
Lead commercial negotiations and support the development of customer contracts and agreements.
Act as an escalation point for significant customer issues and ensure timely resolution.
Protect and grow existing customer relationships through proactive account management and customer engagement.
Drive profitable growth through both customer retention and new business acquisition.
Collaborate with regional and operational teams to ensure effective customer delivery and service excellence.
Identify opportunities to expand customer engagement across KONE's wider solutions portfolio, including Modernisation opportunities.
Growth & Business Development
Develop and execute strategies to increase the contribution and growth of the National Accounts portfolio.
Identify and secure new commercial opportunities.
Expand existing strategic relationships and win new customers.
Build and utilise an external professional network to create business opportunities.
Support the long-term growth and profitability of the National Accounts business.
Candidate Profile
Proven success in a senior National Accounts, Key Accounts or Strategic Accounts leadership role.
Experience leading and developing customer-facing teams.
Strong commercial acumen with excellent negotiation and influencing skills.
Demonstrable experience driving business growth and customer retention.
Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building capabilities.
Experience identifying and converting new business opportunities.
Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to manage complex customer situations.
Industry experience is advantageous but not essential.
Success in the role will be measured through:
Customer retention and account growth.
Portfolio profitability.
Growth of the National Accounts business.
Modernisation referrals and opportunities generated.
Team capability, engagement and performance.
This role requires travel across Great Britain and Ireland, averaging approximately one day per week.
What KONE can offer:
We offer a competitive salary, 25 days + Bank Holidays +1 paid Volunteering Day, Company Pension Scheme, Private Medical Insurance, Bonus, EV Car, PDI, Dental Insurance, Gymflex Membership, Life/Partner Assurance & Critical Illness Issurance, Kone Discounts, Cycle to Work Scheme, Long Service Awards, 24/7 GP Support & Wellbeing Access, Employee Assistance Programme, Hybrid Working and Career Development Opportunities to support and help you achieve your goals.
At KONE, we are focused on creating an innovative and collaborative working culture where we value the contribution of each individual. Employee engagement is a key focus area for us and we encourage participation and the sharing of information and ideas. Sustainability is an integral part of our culture and the daily practice. We follow ethical business practices and we seek to develop a culture of working together where co-workers trust and respect each other and good performance is recognized. In being a great place to work, we are proud to offer a range of experiences and opportunities that will help you to achieve your career and personal goals and enable you to live a healthy and balanced life.
Read more on https://kone.com/global/en/careers.html