Strategic Accounts Manager – Remote UK (Fire & Life Safety) in Milton Keynes

Location: UK Remote. Most preferred location is around one of our offices (Milton Keynes or Herne Bay), but relevant candidates, located elsewhere in the UK will also be considered and are encouraged to apply.

Job type: Full‑time position.

Role’s Overview: Edwards / Kidde Commercial, business brands of Kidde Global Solutions, Strategic Accounts organization is currently searching for a dynamic Strategic Accounts Manager (SAM) to manage and increase sales of fire alarm, air sampling smoke detection & emergency call / mass notification solutions to clients in the Data Center / Semiconductor, Hospitality and Modular Construction verticals. This is a remote field position and all locations will be considered. A person must be capable of flexibly pivoting across these verticals, adapting account strategies and stakeholder messaging to address the distinct buying processes, technical requirements and project delivery structures, unique to each segment. The primary SAM responsibility is to drive incremental solution sales, which are delivered by the Edwards channel partner networks, achieving an annual sales target by developing, implementing and executing a Strategic Account plan. Experience developing and managing strong owner/executive relationships with C‑suite and corporate headquarters personnel, consulting engineers and general contractors / developers will be a key success factor.

Key Responsibilities:

• Account Management: Build and manage relationships with key stakeholders across design, construction, ownership and operations to position Edwards solutions in new and replacement projects. Key stakeholders include:
• Data Center / Mission Critical: Engineering firms, hyperscale and colocation owners/operators and senior design, construction, project and operations leaders.
• Hospitality: Brand and ownership executives, design and construction leaders, facilities teams, property managers and design consultants.
• Modular Construction: Modular manufacturers, general contractors, developers and owners.
• Manage relationships across large organizations and multi‑site project portfolios.
• Identify new opportunities, expand demand and grow market share within target segments.
• Client Needs Analysis: Use consultative selling and active listening to identify priorities and recommend solutions that fit stakeholder needs.
• Strategic Planning: Develop and maintain account plans aligned to customer goals, buying criteria and value drivers. Assess client needs and support tailored solutions, specifications and presentations across varied project delivery models.
• Partner with sales and technical teams to align strategies and deliver solutions that support customer goals across target verticals.
• Advise engineers, architects and decision makers on standardization, fire and life safety requirements and applicable codes and brand standards.

Key Requirements:

• Min. Bachelor's degree. Technical certification, associate degree (or higher) preferred.
• 5+ years of selling experience, with strong preference for min. 2-3 years of executive/end client/C‑suite level sales experience in fire/life safety (or equivalent type) industry.
• Demonstrated experience / strong working knowledge in at least one of the following verticals: Data Center / Mission Critical, Hospitality or Modular Construction.
• Strong consultative selling skills and demonstrated ability to manage large, complex corporate accounts, across multiple simultaneous verticals.
• Experience in a consultative selling environment; active listening skills to identify client needs, build long‑term relationships and deliver tailored solutions that drive measurable business outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to engage C‑Suite and Director of Engineering decision makers, understand customer business objectives, define relevant solutions, and communicate value‑added benefit effectively.
• Fluent English; additional language(s) (French/Spanish/Italian) will be a strong advantage.
• Proficient in Microsoft O365 and collaboration/webinar tools (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.) and SalesForce.
• Valid driving license.
• Willingness to intensively travel across the region (up to 70%).