At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead key NHS accounts, build relationships, and drive growth through strategic insights.
- Company: Join NHS Shared Business Services, a vital part of the NHS family.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, performance bonuses, flexible working, and generous leave.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements available to promote work/life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in healthcare while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience managing large-scale NHS accounts and strong commercial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 75000 £ per year.
At NHS Shared Business Services, we work at the heart of the NHS — supporting Trusts and Integrated Care Systems to operate more efficiently, transform services, and focus on what matters most: patient care. We are now looking for an experienced Account Director to take ownership of a portfolio of key NHS clients, building trusted executive‑level relationships and driving sustainable account growth through insight‑led, consultative engagement.
We have three hybrid roles available, each aligned to a specific territory: London, the South East and the Midlands.
What you’ll bring:
- Client Relationships & Executive Engagement: Build and maintain trusted advisor relationships with C‑suite and senior NHS stakeholders, leading strategic account planning, governance, and resolution of escalated issues while representing the organisation across key client forums.
- Contract & Commercial Management: Own and manage large‑scale NHS BPO contracts end‑to‑end, ensuring compliance, effective change control, commercial rigour, risk management, and clear internal reporting on account health and performance.
- Account Growth & Financial Performance: Drive financial performance across NHS accounts through revenue growth, margin improvement, and robust financial governance, leading regular performance reviews in partnership with Finance and Operational leadership.
- Growth Strategy & Cross‑sell Opportunities: Identify and convert growth opportunities across shared services, consulting, and digital offerings; collaborate on tailored proposals; and support RFI/RFP responses and commercial negotiations aligned to NHS priorities.
- Right at Source Service Consumption & Compliance: Partner with Operations and Service Managers to drive client adherence to “Right at Source” service delivery models across NHS organisations, embedding best practice through stakeholder engagement, training, and data-led insight on compliance, uptake and performance.
- Strategic Consulting & Advisory: Lead and enable strategic consultancy and advisory engagements for NHS clients, including shared services target operating model design, change and HR advisory, and process improvement, while contributing to sector thought leadership and aligning client operating models to national NHS priorities such as ICS integration and digitisation.
What you’ll bring:
- Proven experience as an Account Director or Senior Client Partner managing large-scale NHS or Public Sector accounts.
- Strong BPO or shared services background (e.g. Finance, Procurement, HR), with a deep understanding of NHS structures, funding models and transformation drivers.
- Demonstrated success in managing complex contracts and P&L portfolios in excess of £10m.
- Strong commercial acumen with a clear track record of upsell and cross-sell growth within strategic accounts.
- Excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and manage contracts in line with best practice and contract law.
- Highly organised, detail-oriented and adaptable, with the ability to work independently or collaboratively in a fast-paced, target-driven environment and develop innovative solutions to client challenges.
If you’re interested in this role but not sure if your skills and experience are exactly what we’re looking for, please do apply, we’d love to hear from you!
Employment Type: Full-time
Location: London, Midlands and South East
Security Clearance Level: BPSS
Internal Recruiter: Amy
Salary: Up to £75k depending on experience
Benefits: Performance related bonus, £6,600 car allowance, 25 days annual leave with the option to buy additional days, private medical, life assurance, pension, and generous flexible benefits fund.
Although this role is advertised as full-time, we believe that flexibility at work can promote work/life balance, increase your motivation, reduce stress and improves performance and productivity. We support different ways of working and can offer a range of flexible working arrangements. So, if you’re interested and need to work flexibly, we encourage you to apply and talk to us about what might be possible.
Loved reading about this job and want to know more about us? NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) was created by the Department of Health and Social Care to deliver corporate services to the NHS. A unique joint venture with Sopra Steria, a European leader in digital services and software development, we make life easier for NHS employees, patients, and suppliers, and deliver value for money to the taxpayer. Proud members of the NHS family, we provide finance & accounting, digital, procurement and workforce services to more than half the NHS in England, and our solutions are underpinned by cutting-edge technologies and our teams’ expertise, in-depth understanding of the NHS, and commitment to service excellence. We share common values and unity of purpose with the rest of the NHS family, are committed to being a force for good, and are dedicated and empowered to act responsibly and sustainably at organisational, team and individual level. Would you like to join us on our journey?
Account Director employer: Sopra Steria
Sopra Steria is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for a Data Security Technical Lead to influence enterprise-wide data security strategy while working remotely. With a strong focus on professional development, competitive benefits including a generous car allowance and private medical insurance, and a collaborative work culture that values innovation, employees are empowered to grow their careers in a supportive environment dedicated to making a real difference in national security.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Account Director
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Account Director at Sopra Steria!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Sopra Steria or be willing to refer you for that Account Director position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Sopra Steria who’s on the lookout for their next Account Director star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Account Director role at Sopra Steria!
We think you need these skills to ace Account Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Sopra Steria. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sopra Steria
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Sopra Steria. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
