Key Account Manager -Service (Permanent)

We’re looking for an experienced Key Account Manager to join our Commercial team and play a pivotal role in nurturing and growing long-term customer partnerships. You’ll act as a trusted partner, balancing strong relationship management with commercial ownership, and collaborating closely with internal teams to deliver meaningful outcomes for our customers and the business.

As the Key Account Manager, you'll:

• Develop and deliver strategic account plans aligned to customer objectives and organisational goals
• Identify and drive growth opportunities within existing accounts, including renewals, upsell and cross-sell
• Act as the primary point of contact for your accounts, managing escalations and ensuring excellent customer experience
• Lead commercial conversations including forecasting, pricing discussions, contract negotiations and renewals
• Track and report on account performance, pipeline, KPIs and customer health metrics
• Capture all customer interactions, opportunities and account details accurately within the CRM
• Share customer insight and feedback internally to support continuous improvement and product development

Proven experience in key account management, client relationship management or a similar commercial role is required. Strong commercial acumen, with confidence managing complex accounts, contracts and financial metrics is essential. Excellent negotiation and influencing skills are necessary, along with experience in account planning, forecasting and strategic growth planning. A confident communicator with strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills is important. Analytical and data-driven abilities, with the capacity to translate insight into action, are also needed. High attention to detail and a structured approach to managing opportunities and accounts is crucial. Experience using CRM systems such as Salesforce or Microsoft Dynamics is preferred. Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally is desirable.

Industry experience within automotive or repair sectors is beneficial but not essential. Ability to speak Chinese is an advantage but not required.

Salary - Circa £45k base salary plus up to 30% performance-based OTE dependent on skills & experience.

• ~10% non-contributory pension
• ~29 days holiday (inclusive of Christmas shutdown) + public holidays
• ~ Group Life Assurance (equal to 4 x basic salary)
• ~ Group Income Protection (after 6 months’ service)
• ~ Salary Sacrifice schemes (cycle to work, home & tech scheme)
• ~ Enhanced and competitive parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender or family structure
• ~ Moneyhealth’s Financial Coaching & Wellbeing Platform
• ~ Health Cash Plan (cash back on eligible medical treatments)
• ~ Reward & Recognition Programme
• ~ Discounted gym membership
• ~ Free on-site parking

Our standard working hours are 8:30 - 16:30 Monday - Thursday, early finish on Friday - 8:30 - 15:45. We understand the benefits of remote and in-person collaboration and therefore have a hybrid working model – you’ll be expected to work from our office in Thatcham at least two days per week.

At the cutting edge of automotive research in the UK, Thatcham Research has a unique role in shaping the design of new vehicles and influencing ever higher standards of safety, security and repair. Our Gamston facility is one of the UK’s leading sites for active safety, trialling and assessing the latest crash avoidance and driver assistance technologies.

As an organisation that believes a strong set of Values are key to our organisational success and a sense of belonging for all colleagues, we ask that you understand, represent and apply our Values of Fearless, Inquisitive, Resourceful, Supportive and Trusted and demonstrate these Values throughout the recruitment process.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging: We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace which values diversity and embraces each individual's authentic self. Our journey of growth and understanding is continuous as we actively invest in diversity training, workshops, and partnerships to ensure positive change.

Recruitment process: We’re proud to manage our recruitment in-house and believe this direct approach enables us to give you the best possible Employee Experience we can – which starts right here, your application! What can you expect from our recruitment process?

• An initial telephone screening call with a Talent Acquisition Partner
• First interview with the hiring manager, usually via Teams
• Second/Final interview, in-person at our office (we may give you a role specific task to present on!)
• An opportunity to give us your honest feedback in a short survey on all of the above

If there are any adjustments we can make to better support you, please let us know when you apply.

To ensure fairness and protect your data, we’re unable to accept applications or CVs via email. The best way to apply and to stay updated on your progress, is through our online application form.