Head of Client Delivery in London

Head of Client Delivery in London

London 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: Thrilling, high-autonomy role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while shaping the future of enterprise AI.
  • 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AI only works when the underlying data is accurate - but most CRMs are filled with duplicates, broken hierarchies, and outdated information that undermine forecasting, territory planning, and AI deployments.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

We will do our best to offer you a ride of a lifetime. It will not be easy, but it will be thrilling.

  • 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

Interview Process

  • Stage 1: Recruiter call with De-Vene (45 min)
  • Stage 2: Role-fit interview with Valeria (30 min)
  • Stage 3: Case study with Valeria and the team (onsite)
  • Stage 4: Leadership interview with Marcus (co-founder) and Stefan (45 min)
  • Final stage: Values interview with Anders (CEO) and Marcus (co-founder), 45 min onsite - followed by an informal coffee with the team
  • Following mutual fit: reference checks and offer.

Head of Client Delivery in London employer: Kernel

Kernel is an exceptional employer that thrives on innovation and collaboration, offering a dynamic work culture where employees are empowered to take ownership of their roles. With a strong focus on professional growth, team members benefit from hands-on leadership, generous parental leave, and a high-autonomy environment that fosters creativity and accountability. Located in the heart of London, Kernel provides a thrilling opportunity to work directly with founders and contribute to cutting-edge AI solutions for enterprise clients.

Kernel

Contact Details:

Kernel Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

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

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 in getting your foot in the door.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews! Research Kernel's mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've tackled complex client relationships in the past.

Tip Number 3

Showcase your leadership skills! Since this role is all about managing teams and driving client success, be prepared to share stories that highlight your ability to lead, develop talent, and handle tough conversations.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up! After your interviews, send a thank-you note to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to keep you top of mind and show your enthusiasm for the role.

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

Client Relationship Management
Team Leadership
Performance Management
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Implementation Management
Technical Literacy
API Knowledge

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Client Delivery role. Highlight your experience in client-facing roles and team management, and show us how you can bring value to our enterprise clients.

Showcase Your Startup Experience:We love candidates who thrive in a fast-paced environment! Share specific examples from your past startup experiences that demonstrate your ability to handle ambiguity and drive results.

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use bullet points where possible to make your achievements stand out, and ensure we can quickly see how you meet the requirements of the role.

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 any important updates about the process!

How to prepare for a job interview at Kernel

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you understand Kernel's mission and the challenges they solve for their clients. Familiarise yourself with the concepts of CRM data accuracy, RevOps, and how AI can enhance decision-making. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their needs.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples that highlight your experience in managing teams and driving client success. Be ready to discuss how you've developed people, handled performance issues, and built a culture of accountability. This role is hands-on, so demonstrate your ability to lead while staying close to clients.

Be Ready for Complex Scenarios

Expect to tackle case studies or scenarios during the interview that reflect real challenges faced by Kernel. Think through how you would approach complex delivery challenges and be prepared to articulate your thought process clearly.

Engage with the Team

Since the interview process includes meeting various team members, show genuine interest in their roles and experiences. Ask insightful questions about their work and how they collaborate across functions. This will not only demonstrate your enthusiasm but also help you gauge if the company culture is the right fit for you.