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- Tasks: Manage key accounts and drive growth in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join Ford & Stanley, a leading executive search and talent advisory firm.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work culture, and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by working with top-tier clients and innovative projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in complex account management and strong relationship-building skills.
- Other info: Expect a direct, no-nonsense culture with excellent career advancement opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Ford & Stanley Executive Search (Part of the Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group) are a leading Executive search and talent advisory firm specialising in the following sectors:
- Rail & Transportation
- Civils & Construction
- Manufacturing & Supply Chain
- Technology & Cyber Security
- Logistics & Intermodal Freight
- Defence
We have been exclusively appointed on a retained search for an Account Manager.
Key deliverables within the first 12 months:
- Demonstrate a tangible pipeline worth in excess of £1m annually.
- Develop a deep understanding of how the account operates, including stakeholders, procurement cycles, and decision-making structures.
- Position the account to grow into a £5–10 million annual account.
Main challenges that will be encountered in the 1st year:
- Navigate a highly political internal environment, where ‘tribal’ behaviours and budget ownership strongly influence decision-making in a complex multi-skilled, multi-layered stakeholder landscape.
- Recognising that other consultancies already hold many of the key stakeholder relationships, so breaking in requires strategy, patience, and credibility.
- Money is strategically released and as such it’s of paramount importance that the incoming Account Manager has a strong understanding of this landscape.
Essential Hard Skills (Skills & Experience):
- Ability to operate in politically sensitive environments, managing embedded incumbents, and overcoming internal tribal dynamics.
- Previous experience of going up against major companies that can be bigger than your current organisation (Demonstrate an ability to punch above your weight).
- Demonstrate their ability to work closely with national infrastructure and able to influence conversations at the highest level.
- Complex account management experience - Ideally with a technical product, platform or service.
- Strong pipeline development and management, able to create, qualify and scale a high‑value pipeline in year one across complex enterprise environments.
- Keen to be on site and visible, 3 days per week.
Essential Soft Skills (Attributes & Behaviours):
- You’ll need to get buy-in from the pre-sales team — Architects & Back-end teams. It’s a hands-on role, with full support from the marketing team and bid management. Collaboration is essential.
- Understanding the company's structure — people are very frank and direct, but always in the best possible way.
- Able to demonstrate agile and almost disruptive thinking.
- Approachable, emotionally intelligent and accessible.
Good to know & Core Responsibilities:
- The individual leading the aviation sector has previously secured a £15 million project, demonstrating the scale of opportunity.
- Two major pieces of work have already been secured:
- AirHeart — an operations digital tool (a platform, not a product, and therefore scalable).
- MSA Services — Statements of Work linked to platform configuration; the MSA extends beyond the platform itself and as such is highly scalable.
There are two main desirable outcomes of this role:
- Upsell and extend the sale of the existing platform.
- Take full advantage of the MSA to encourage further growth.
Ford & Stanley Executive Search Interview, Suitability & Matching Process:
- 1st Stage – Candidate Discovery: An open, conversational and consultative discussion where interested candidates are assessed on their suitability for the role in the context of the above and challenged on how the opportunity lines up with their career aspirations, motivations, financial expectations and personal circumstances.
- 2nd Stage – The ‘shortlist’: Candidates are asked to reflect on the candidate discovery discussion, take time to reflect on the opportunity and undertake subsequent research on the client business reporting back on their thoughts, questions and providing additional specific information on their suitability (if applicable).
F&S Executive Search – Delivery Team:
- Tom Norton – Head of Executive Search (Shortlisting, Offer Negotiations, Client Consulting).
- Sean Kerry - Senior Research Associate (Networking, Research, Search, Longlisting, Interviews, Data & Market Intel, Headhunting).
- Ralitsa Kuzeva – Executive Assistant (Diary Management, Coordination, Candidate Experience, NDA’s).
About Ford & Stanley Executive Search:
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.
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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 ongoing basis all aspects of recruitment to avoid unlawful or undesirable discrimination. We will treat everyone equally irrespective of 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.
Account Manager in London employer: Ford & Stanley Executive Search
Contact Detail:
Ford & Stanley Executive Search Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Account Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might help you land that Account Manager role!
✨Tip Number 2
Research is key! Dive deep into Ford & Stanley’s projects and values. Understanding their culture and recent successes will not only impress during interviews but also help you tailor your approach when discussing how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for those interviews by rehearsing common questions and scenarios related to account management. Think about how you’ve navigated complex environments before and be ready to share those stories.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team. Don’t forget to follow up after applying; a little persistence can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Account Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Account Manager role. Highlight your experience in complex account management and your ability to navigate politically sensitive environments. We want to see how you can punch above your weight!
Showcase Your Pipeline Skills: Demonstrate your ability to develop and manage a high-value pipeline. Include specific examples of how you've created, qualified, and scaled pipelines in previous roles. This is key for us as we look for someone who can bring in over £1m annually.
Be Authentic: We value direct and frank communication, so don’t be afraid to show your personality in your application. Let us know how you approach collaboration and influence conversations at the highest level. We’re looking for someone approachable and emotionally intelligent!
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ford & Stanley Executive Search
✨Know Your Stakeholders
Before the interview, research the key stakeholders in the company and their roles. Understanding who makes decisions and how they interact can give you an edge in discussing how you would navigate the political landscape.
✨Demonstrate Your Pipeline Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience in developing and managing a high-value pipeline. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully created and scaled pipelines in complex environments, as this is crucial for the Account Manager role.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
Since collaboration is essential, think of examples where you've worked closely with teams, especially in pre-sales or technical environments. Highlight your ability to get buy-in from various departments, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Embrace Direct Communication
The culture is frank and no-nonsense, so be prepared to communicate clearly and directly. Practice articulating your thoughts succinctly and confidently, as this will align with the company's communication style and expectations.
