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- Tasks: Lead client relationships and develop business strategies for our London portfolio.
- Company: Ward Security provides innovative security solutions across the UK with a focus on people and culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy perks like remote work options, a pension scheme, and 24/7 employee assistance.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team that values innovation, inclusivity, and personal growth.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and experience in managing P&L and budgets are essential.
- Other info: We celebrate diversity and offer extensive training and development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 100000 £ per year.
Are you a strong leader and a strategic thinker? Do you have a passion for building long-lasting client relationships and lead a high profile portfolio for our London businesses?
As a Key Account Director here at Ward, you will have the ability to develop and implement business strategies, as well as having the commitment in delivering innovative and service excellence, contributing to the growth and success of the account portfolio. These attributes will be applied across the Ward London portfolio to assist with strategical input for the Account Management Team.
Role: Key Account Director
Shift Pattern: Monday - Friday 37.5 hours per week
Location: London Headquarters
Benefits include:
- Access to 24/7 Free Employee Assistance programme
- Company Pension scheme
- Life Assurance benefits
- Cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme
- Plus additional benefits we offer via our ReWard membership
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and maintain strategic relationships with high value clients
- Support our clients to achieve their objectives and ensure service delivery remains effective and aligned with their needs at all locations
- Regularly review services provided in line with customer needs and strategic priorities
- Effectively monitor SLAs and KPIs, identify opportunities and/or risk and work with others in the business to develop action plans to address any areas of underperformance
- Drive organic growth
- Be the Senior contact responsible for ensuring that your clients are kept informed and the relationship nurtured at all times
- Develop innovation, alternative solutions and contract improvement
- Accountable for the management of your portfolio P&L, continuously monitoring expenditure and delivering financial performance in line with budgets
- Manage and control budgets, ensuring that expenditure is monitored and controlled in line with financial targets
- Attend regular client review meetings and effectively monitor SLAs and KPIs, identifying opportunities and/or risk
- Produce, evaluate and present regular reports on portfolio performance
- Participate and on occasions take the lead in tender presentations
- Ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of team members at all times
- Maintain optimum manning levels and manage recruitment needs
- Review all critical operational incidents and identify areas for improvement
- Support and deliver in line with the business’s overall growth strategy
- Ensure client annual reviews are undertaken and company process is followed
- Build and maintain effective relationships with current and potential decision-makers, key stakeholders, and clients
- Build effective networks and relationships with external stakeholders
- Deliver effective succession planning to ensure resilience for each site, the management team and the wider London business
- Attend monthly reviews with the Ward finance team
Strategic Planning:
- Monitor and measure progress and performance against agreed plans to ensure that the business attains its targets and objectives as effectively as possible
- Provide recommendations to the Managing Director and Senior Leadership Team
- Identify commercial opportunities for growth
- Ensure that the business is at the leading edge of understanding market and client needs
- Consistently strive to ensure that budget targets are met
- Ensure costs are adequately controlled
- Direct and control the work and resources within your team to optimise operational performance and achieve the desired impact on business results
- Understand variance analysis and develop financial plans to mitigate loss
- Develop business case plans or short focus papers for projects
Retention:
- Develop and provide robust and successful client retention strategies across your portfolio
- Ensure comprehensive relationship mapping is always in place and up to date
- Effectively monitor SLAs and KPIs, identify opportunities and/or risk and work with others in the business to develop action plans to address any areas of underperformance
- Manage difficult or emotional customer situations
- Respond promptly to customer needs
- Solicit customer feedback to improve service
- Meet contractual commitments
- Support our clients to achieve their objectives and ensure service delivery remains ‘fit for purpose’
- Identify and resolve problems in a timely manner
- Better today than yesterday - develop alternative solutions and contract improvement
Leadership Competence:
- Experienced P&L and budget responsibility
- Operational, threat and risk experience
- Demonstrate a high level of resilience and resourcefulness to overcome challenges and deliver business outcomes
- Act in accordance with Ward’s values and culture
- Share key elements of organisational strategy effectively with teams
- Hold themselves and direct team members responsible and accountable for performance
- Effectively establish priorities
- Create an environment that nurtures and develops people
- Speak out (challenge) in circumstances where behaviours are inconsistent with our culture
- Influence effectively
- Lead and manage change where needed
- Communicate plans and activities in a manner which invokes employee engagement
- Establish wide internal and external relationships
- Ensure that Ward is held in high regard within the industry
People:
- Lead and embed an inclusive culture through coaching and challenging the right behaviours
- Contribute to the delivery of our business-wide people strategy and The Ward Way
- Effectively engage challenging conversations with peers and your team to produce positive outcomes
- Maintain a positive and ethical work environment that is conducive to attracting, retaining and motivating a diverse group of employees at all levels
- Create an environment which encourages creative thinking
- Line report annual appraisal completion and review
- Identify and deliver annual CPD for themselves and line reports
Who We Are: Ward Security provides security services solutions to a range of UK businesses. Security services include: CCTV security systems, property management, guard dog security, key holding services, security guard patrol services, response alarm systems and more. With over 1500+ of our amazing people operating nationally. We seek the best talent to uphold our vision “We look after our people; our people look after our clients. We aim to retain and attract the very best of both.”
Why Work For Us? Apart from joining our friendly team we offer Uniform, SIA Licensing savings scheme, Cycle to Work Salary Sacrifice scheme, Pension and Life Assurance benefits. We strongly believe in growing our own talent, and we provide opportunities through our in-house Training Academy, our Leadership Development Programme, online eLearning and development programmes for a career path. To support the wellbeing of our people we have an in-house Mental Health Team, Wellbeing Platform, an inclusive culture recognised in our Diversity Champion & International Inclusion Awards. We uphold our wellbeing as a MIND Workplace Wellbeing Silver Award holder. We offer Reward membership to all employees, which includes retail discounts, cinema tickets, gym membership, 24/7 free Employee Assistance Programme, and many other fantastic benefits. At Ward Security, we believe in fostering an inclusive workplace where diversity is celebrated, and every individual is valued. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all employees and applicants regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. As an equal-opportunity employer, we strive to create an environment that promotes fairness, respect, and collaboration. We are dedicated to recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting individuals based on their qualifications, skills, and abilities. We embrace the unique perspectives and backgrounds of our team members, recognising that diversity enriches our organisation and contributes to our success.
Head Quarters - Key Account Director employer: Ward Security Limited
Contact Detail:
Ward Security Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Quarters - Key Account Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network strategically within the industry. Attend events and conferences related to security services where you can meet potential clients and decision-makers. Building these relationships can give you an edge when applying for the Key Account Director position.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Ward Security's values and culture. Understanding their commitment to employee wellbeing and diversity will help you align your approach during interviews, showcasing how you can contribute to their inclusive environment.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with P&L management and budget control. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully managed financial performance in previous roles, as this is a key responsibility for the Key Account Director.
✨Tip Number 4
Research current trends in the security services industry. Being knowledgeable about market needs and client expectations will allow you to demonstrate strategic thinking and innovation during your discussions with the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Quarters - Key Account Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the Key Account Director role. Focus on your leadership abilities, strategic thinking, and any experience in managing high-profile client relationships.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for building client relationships and your commitment to service excellence. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you can contribute to the growth and success of Ward's account portfolio.
Highlight Relevant Achievements: In your application, emphasise any achievements related to P&L management, budget control, and client retention strategies. Quantify your successes where possible to provide concrete evidence of your capabilities.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Demonstrate your leadership competence by providing examples of how you've led teams, managed change, and fostered an inclusive culture. Highlight your ability to engage and motivate others to achieve business outcomes.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ward Security Limited
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Key Account Director, demonstrating your leadership abilities is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams and managed client relationships in the past. Highlight your strategic thinking and how it has contributed to business growth.
✨Understand the Company’s Values
Familiarise yourself with Ward's values and culture. During the interview, express how your personal values align with theirs. This will show that you are not only a good fit for the role but also for the company as a whole.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations. Think of specific scenarios where you've had to manage client expectations or resolve conflicts, and be ready to discuss the outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Since the role involves P&L responsibility, be prepared to discuss your experience with budget management and financial performance. Bring examples of how you've monitored expenditure and achieved financial targets in previous roles.
