Senior Account Development Executive

Senior Account Development Executive

Full-Time 45000 - 55000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage and grow existing customer accounts while identifying new sales opportunities.
  • Company: Join IRIS Software Group, a leading UK software provider with a strong reputation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, career development, and a diverse workplace culture.
  • Other info: Be part of a fast-growing team with excellent career advancement opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by driving revenue growth and building lasting customer relationships.
  • Qualifications: Proven B2B sales experience and strong relationship management skills required.

The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.

About IRIS Software Group: IRIS Software Group is one of the UK's largest privately held software companies, trusted by 100,000+ businesses, schools and accountancy firms to keep their operations running. Our software pays 1 in 6 UK employees, supports over 12,000 schools, and is relied on by 91 of the top 100 UK accountancy firms. We're a Great Place to Work® certified employer, recognised for our commitment to well-being, inclusion and development - and we're growing fast.

As we continue to grow, we're looking for an experienced Senior Account Development Executive to join our commercial sales team and help us develop and grow our existing customer base.

The Opportunity: As a Senior Account Development Executive, you'll manage and develop a portfolio of existing IRIS customers. You'll take a proactive, commercial approach to your accounts – understanding each customer's business, identifying whitespace and uncovering opportunities where additional IRIS solutions could add value. You'll own opportunities throughout the full sales cycle, from identifying the initial opportunity through to presenting solutions, overcoming objections, negotiating and closing.

What You'll Be Doing:

  • Build relationships – Develop strong relationships with key stakeholders and decision-makers across your customer portfolio.
  • Spot opportunities – Proactively identify whitespace and uncover upsell and cross-sell opportunities.
  • Build pipeline – Create and maintain a healthy pipeline rather than simply relying on inbound customer demand.
  • Sell solutions – Understand customer challenges and confidently position relevant solutions from across the IRIS portfolio.
  • Own the sales cycle – Manage opportunities from initial discovery through to proposal, negotiation and close.
  • Deliver revenue – Consistently work towards and achieve your individual sales targets and KPIs.
  • Handle commercial conversations – Confidently manage objections, negotiate and have value-led conversations with customers.
  • Forecast accurately – Maintain strong CRM discipline and provide clear visibility of pipeline, opportunities and forecast.
  • Collaborate – Work closely with Customer Success, Product, Marketing and other teams to deliver great customer outcomes.
  • Lead by example – As a senior member of the team, share best practice and support the development of colleagues.

What We're Looking For: We're looking for someone who combines excellent relationship management with a strong commercial mindset. You'll ideally bring:

  • Strong B2B sales or Account Management experience
  • A proven track record of achieving or exceeding revenue targets
  • Experience proactively generating your own pipeline
  • Strong upselling and cross-selling experience
  • Experience managing an end-to-end sales cycle
  • Excellent stakeholder and relationship-management skills
  • Confidence discussing targets, pipeline, forecasting and KPIs
  • Strong objection-handling, negotiation and closing skills
  • A proactive, resilient and results-driven approach
  • Experience within SaaS, software or technology would be a bonus

What Does Success Look Like? You'll become a trusted commercial partner to your customers while consistently delivering revenue growth. You'll know your accounts inside out – who the key stakeholders are, what challenges they're facing, where the whitespace exists and where IRIS can provide additional value. Ultimately, you'll combine great customer relationships, proactive selling, and strong commercial performance.

Why IRIS? You'll be joining an established software business with a broad portfolio of solutions and a significant existing customer base. That means plenty of opportunity to:

  • Develop your sales career
  • Drive meaningful revenue growth
  • Build expertise across multiple software solutions
  • Develop long-term strategic customer relationships
  • Take on increasingly complex commercial opportunities

Ready for your next sales challenge? We'd love to hear from you.

Why You’ll Love Working Here:

  • Impact: Your work will influence millions globally.
  • Growth: Continuous learning and career development opportunities.
  • Belonging: A culture that celebrates diversity and empowers every individual.

Ready to Apply? Click Apply - we’re excited to learn about your unique perspective and experience. If you need adjustments during the process, let us know. We’re committed to making this opportunity accessible to everyone.

What to expect from our hiring process: Our process is designed to be fair, transparent and straightforward. Stages vary depending on the role — more senior positions may involve additional steps, and some areas include role-specific assessments such as a technical test or case study — but typically you can expect:

  • Application review — we assess your experience and potential
  • Initial call — a short conversation to learn about you and share more about the role
  • Skills assessment — tailored to the position, e.g. case study, coding challenge or portfolio review
  • Final interview — meet the team and explore how you'll make an IMPACT at IRIS

We'll always walk you through the specific stages at the start of the process so you can prepare with confidence. If you need any adjustments or accommodations during the process, let us know, we’re committed to making this experience accessible for everyone.

Senior Account Development Executive employer: IRIS

IRIS Software Group is an exceptional employer, recognised as a Great Place to Work® for our commitment to employee well-being, inclusion, and continuous development. As a Senior Account Development Executive, you'll thrive in a dynamic sales environment that fosters growth, encourages collaboration, and offers ample opportunities to build long-term relationships with key clients while driving meaningful revenue. Join us in the UK and be part of a company that values your contributions and supports your career journey.

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Contact Details:

IRIS Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Account Development Executive

Leverage Your Network

In sales and business development, who you know can often be as important as what you know. Get involved with local networking events or industry meetups to connect with key players. Don't be shy—share your passion for the field and let folks know you're on the lookout for opportunities!

Show Your Skills Through Real-World Results

When targeting a full-time role like Senior Account Development Executive at IRIS, presenting tangible results from your previous sales experience can set you apart. Bring along case studies or examples of how you've closed deals or expanded accounts, and don't forget to showcase your problem-solving prowess. It’s all about quantifying your success!

Engage with Sales Communities

Dive deep into online sales communities, like Sales Hacker or LinkedIn groups dedicated to sales professionals. Engaging in discussions and sharing insights can boost your visibility and might just put you on the radar of hiring managers looking for fresh talent in business development.

Direct Applications Matter

While we all know the online application route, consider sending direct applications to companies you admire, including IRIS. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a Senior Account Development Executive. Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Account Development Executive

B2B Sales Experience
Account Management
Revenue Target Achievement
Pipeline Generation
Upselling
Cross-Selling
End-to-End Sales Cycle Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Those Sales Skills:In your CV and cover letter, highlight any previous sales or business development experience you have. Use numbers and examples to showcase your achievements – did you exceed sales targets or bring in new clients? Make those accomplishments shine!

Tailor Your Message for IRIS:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for IRIS. Show that you know the company’s mission and how your skills align with their goals in the sales landscape. This personalised touch will grab their attention!

Keep It Professional Yet Engaging:Sales is all about relationships, so while you want to maintain professionalism in your application, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Engage the reader and demonstrate your enthusiastic approach to sales and business development!

Proof of Performance:Include any relevant certifications or training you’ve undertaken in sales or negotiation tactics. If you’ve attended workshops or courses, list these to showcase your commitment to professional development. This extra touch can set you apart from the competition!

How to prepare for a job interview at IRIS

Know Your Sales Methodologies

Brush up on popular sales methodologies like SPIN Selling or Challenger Sales. Being able to discuss these techniques and how you've applied them will show IRIS that you understand the role and can hit the ground running in the sales game.

Demonstrate Your Deal-Making Skills

Prepare to share stories from your past experiences where you closed deals, overcame objections, or started new client relationships. We want to show IRIS that you’re not just about numbers but also about building lasting connections in business development.

Prepare for Role-Play Scenarios

In a full-time sales interview, don’t be surprised if they throw in a role-play exercise to test your pitching skills. Practising how you would pitch a product or handle an objection will help us shine in this simulation—think of it like a dress rehearsal for your future sales calls!

Align Your Goals with the Company’s Vision

Take a moment to reflect on how your career ambitions align with IRIS’s objectives. When we articulate how our personal growth ties in with the company’s goals, it shows commitment and a genuine interest in contributing to their success.