Head of Client Delivery

Head of Client Delivery

Full-Time 115000 - 140000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Kernel

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead client delivery and manage a team to ensure enterprise clients receive top-notch service.
  • Company: Join a fast-growing startup revolutionising enterprise AI with innovative data solutions.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, equity, generous holiday, and work-from-anywhere options.
  • Other info: Work closely with founders and enjoy a high-autonomy, high-trust culture.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your leadership skills.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in client-facing roles and 3+ years managing teams in a startup setting.

The predicted salary is between 115000 - 140000 £ per year.

About Kernel Enterprise AI only works when the underlying data is accurate - but most CRMs are filled with duplicates, broken hierarchies, and outdated information that undermine forecasting, territory planning, and AI deployments. We’ve raised a $14M Series A from top VCs and operators at Plaid, OpenAI, Slack and others to solve this with Agentic Company Data - the AI-native alternative to Dun & Bradstreet. RevOps teams at Gong, Navan, Mistral, AlphaSense, and Zip use Kernel to eliminate duplicates, fix hierarchies, and deliver the accuracy they need to operate with confidence. What a RevOps expert can do manually for a single record, Kernel can do safely at scale for an entire CRM. Our platform gives teams confidence in the data foundation that powers enterprise decision-making and AI.

The Role

This is a hands‑on leadership role owning how Kernel delivers for its enterprise clients. You'll sit at the intersection of client success, solutions engineering, and implementation - leading both the function and the team behind it. You’ll work closely with Sales, Product, and Engineering to ensure every client in our portfolio is getting real value, fast. In practice that means two things: being a strong client partner yourself, and being an even stronger people manager for the team that does this work every day.

What You’ll Be Doing:

  • Client leadership
    • Own the client relationship at a senior level across a portfolio of enterprise accounts
    • Keep implementations moving at pace – time‑to‑value should be fast
    • Drive the client relationship forward through regular cadence – present, proactive, and trusted at every stage
    • Act as the escalation point for complex delivery challenges – you’re comfortable pushing back
    • Partner with Sales on expansions, renewals, and new account onboarding
    • US‑based clients are a significant part of the portfolio, so evening availability is expected
  • Team management
    • Lead and develop a team of Solutions Engineers and Implementation specialists
    • Run 1:1s, build growth plans, give clear feedback – the team needs a leader who genuinely invests in them
    • Manage performance with rigour, including having difficult conversations when needed
    • Build a culture of accountability and craft
  • The other 10%
    • Partner with finance, ops, product on cross‑functional projects and process improvements
    • Help define how the delivery function scales as we grow from 50 to 100+ enterprise customers
    • And everything else – the role will evolve as Kernel does – you’ll take on things that don’t exist yet, and leave your mark on how this function is built

What You Bring:

  • You’ve spent meaningful time in a startup environment and it suits you – you’re not looking for it to slow down
  • 10+ years in client‑facing roles: customer success, implementation, solutions engineering, or technical account management
  • 3+ years managing a team, with real examples of developing people and holding performance standards
  • Experience in a fast‑moving startup – you’re comfortable with ambiguity and a changing brief
  • Proven track record of owning complex, multi‑stakeholder enterprise implementations end‑to‑end
  • Technically literate: comfortable with APIs, JSON, data concepts, and basic troubleshooting, even if you’re not writing code
  • Enterprise CRM exposure (Salesforce, HubSpot) – you understand how your clients’ revenue stacks work

This role may not be for you if you:

  • Prefer to have processes and playbooks handed to you rather than building them
  • Are looking for a role that’s primarily strategic – this one stays hands‑on
  • Are looking for a purely internal, non‑customer‑facing role

This role is definitely not for you if you:

  • Prefer remote work or predictable hours – this role is 4+ days/week in the London office, and US clients mean some evening calls come with the territory
  • Don’t enjoy intense, fast‑paced environments or ambiguity
  • Want to manage a team without staying close to clients yourself

What We Offer

  • Salary: £115,000 – £140,000 + equity
  • 24 days holiday per year + bank holidays
  • £450 Monthly Office Dinner Allowance
  • 2 weeks work‑from‑anywhere
  • Generous parental leave policy
  • Pension plan
  • Top‑spec equipment and central London office
  • Team events and dinners
  • Work directly with the founders to scale the systems that power enterprise AI
  • High‑autonomy, high‑trust environment with a small team shipping at pace

Head of Client Delivery employer: Kernel

Kernel is an exceptional employer that fosters a high-autonomy, high-trust environment where innovation thrives. With a focus on employee growth and development, team members enjoy generous benefits such as a competitive salary, equity options, and a monthly office dinner allowance, all while working in a vibrant central London location. The company culture encourages collaboration with founders and offers the unique opportunity to shape the future of enterprise AI, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.

Kernel

Contact Details:

Kernel Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Client Delivery

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who might know someone at Kernel. A personal introduction can make all the difference when you're trying to land that Head of Client Delivery role.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by understanding Kernel's mission and how they tackle CRM challenges. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in client leadership and team management.

Tip Number 3

Showcase your hands-on approach! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've successfully managed complex implementations and led teams in fast-paced environments. They want to see you in action!

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your enthusiasm for the role and how you can contribute to Kernel will keep you top of mind. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested!

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Client Delivery

Client Relationship Management
Team Leadership
Performance Management
Solutions Engineering
Implementation Management
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Technical Literacy

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see why you're excited about joining us at Kernel and how you can contribute to our mission of delivering accurate data solutions.

Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in client-facing roles and team management. We’re looking for someone who can lead and inspire, so share specific examples that demonstrate your skills in these areas.

Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you a great fit for the Head of Client Delivery role. Remember, less is often more!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team during the process.

How to prepare for a job interview at Kernel

Know Your Client Delivery Inside Out

Before the interview, dive deep into Kernel's approach to client delivery. Understand how they tackle issues like data accuracy and CRM management. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you've used in past roles that align with their mission.

Showcase Your Leadership Style

As a Head of Client Delivery, your leadership will be crucial. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams, developed talent, and handled performance challenges. Highlight your hands-on approach and how you foster accountability within your team.

Demonstrate Technical Savvy

Brush up on your technical knowledge, especially around APIs, JSON, and CRM systems like Salesforce or HubSpot. Be prepared to discuss how your technical understanding has helped you solve complex client issues in the past.

Prepare for Real-World Scenarios

Expect to face situational questions about managing client relationships and overcoming delivery challenges. Think of specific instances where you’ve had to push back or navigate ambiguity, and be ready to share how you achieved positive outcomes.