Key Account Manager

Key Account Manager

Full-Time 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
University of Sheffield

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Build strong relationships and support industrial partners for impactful collaboration.
  • Company: The University of Sheffield, a diverse and inclusive world-class institution.
  • Benefits: 41 days annual leave, flexible working, generous pension, and retail discounts.
  • Other info: Join a supportive community with excellent development opportunities and a commitment to wellbeing.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference by connecting with industry leaders and driving innovation.
  • Qualifications: Strong relationship-building skills and ability to communicate complex information.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university. We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement, a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Overview

The AMRC’s industrial collaboration framework is essential for building trust, strengthening teamwork across companies and sustaining our broader success. As a Key Account Manager (KAM) you will maximise the AMRC's benefit to our Industrial Partners and the wider network. The role is part of the Partnerships Team within the Commercial Function. You will develop and deliver a relationship engagement plan for your allocated industrial partner companies. You will guide and support Partners, promote effective collaboration, oversee their portfolio and harness the community’s potential to facilitate high‑impact outcomes for all stakeholders. Your portfolio may include industry primes and technology providers who engage with the AMRC by supplying goods, services and in‑kind contributions. You will collaborate closely with research groups to achieve maximum benefit for all parties involved. You will manage the Partners’ annual membership, including renewals, tracking project activity and/or the use of their products and services, and facilitating necessary meetings and activities. You must take a proactive approach and be the main point of contact, ensuring a positive Partner experience. Your performance will be measured by Partners’ engagement levels, contribution, participation and satisfaction.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

  • Build strong relationships: Cultivate robust, long‑lasting relationships with key stakeholders through integrity, transparency and regular communication. This includes frequent visits to Partner sites and hosting visits to the AMRC.
  • Act as the primary liaison: Serve as the first point of contact into the AMRC, answering queries, problem‑solving and connecting Partners with appropriate AMRC colleagues and the wider Partnership community.
  • Maintain network and succession: Identify and maintain a comprehensive contact list for both Partners and AMRC teams, defining key roles and ensuring succession planning.
  • Develop strategic engagement plans: Work collaboratively with colleagues and Partners to develop and deliver strategic engagement and collaboration plans.
  • Maintain in‑depth knowledge: Stay current on AMRC strategy, capability, processes and personnel. Use this knowledge to steer and support Partners through all aspects of working with the AMRC.
  • Project and activity oversight: Maintain comprehensive oversight of all relevant Partner activity and opportunities. Follow up, support Partner progress and raise issues as required.
  • Identify opportunities: Work with Partners to understand the breadth and depth of their organisation and actively seek out opportunities across the full capability of the AMRC.
  • Facilitate technical alignment: Liaise effectively between AMRC technical staff and the Partner’s technical team, mediating and resolving conflicts.
  • Promote awareness: Work with Partners to raise internal and external awareness of capabilities and collaboration opportunities.
  • Market insight: Collaborate with Sector Theme Leads to provide emerging trend information relevant to Partners’ sectors.
  • Manage membership and in‑kind: Handle annual membership renewals, track in‑kind contribution drawdown and manage related paperwork, ensuring financial compliance and audit trail documentation.
  • Support funding and bids: Assist Partners with relevant funding streams, scoping and successful bid applications.
  • Maximise engagement: Monitor engagement opportunities and support the AMRC management team in implementing suitable infrastructure and processes.
  • Demonstrate impact: Commission impact case studies to showcase what the AMRC delivers to industrial members.
  • Adhere to standards: Foster an inclusive OneAMRC culture, demonstrate professional behaviours and embed the University’s sustainability strategy into your work.
  • Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community recognises all abilities, backgrounds and beliefs. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your experience does not match perfectly, your contribution is valuable. Please reference the application criteria in your application statement.

Criteria

  • Ability to build strong relationships, inspire confidence and communicate clearly with diverse audiences.
  • Excellent listening, writing and verbal skills, including report writing, summarising complex information and delivering effective presentations.
  • Proven ability to manage strategic relationships and influence senior stakeholders.
  • Capacity to understand and interpret complex technical information and communicate it accurately.
  • Ability to develop and maintain expertise in evolving technology fields and organisational processes.
  • Analytical problem‑solving with long‑term organisational perspective.
  • Clear understanding of industry commercial pressures, market drivers and innovation landscape.
  • Strong organisational skills to manage workload, oversee portfolios and track activity.
  • Adaptability, proactive approach and ownership of outcomes in unfamiliar contexts.
  • Team‑work, communication and coaching mindset.
  • Understanding of manufacturing processes and related industrial supply chains.
  • Experience within defence, aerospace, nuclear or renewable energy sectors (desirable).

Further Information

  • Grade: 8
  • Salary: £48,822
  • Work arrangement: Full‑time
  • Duration: Permanent
  • Line manager: Commercial Director
  • Direct reports: None
  • Website: https://www.amrc.co.uk/

Next Steps in the Recruitment Process

The selection process will consist of an interview. Candidates will be notified of progression within two weeks of the closing date. For assistance or adjustments, contact staffing@amrc.co.uk.

What We Offer

  • A minimum of 41 days annual leave (pro‑rated) with the ability to purchase more.
  • Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
  • A generous pension scheme.
  • A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
  • A variety of staff networks for social interaction, peer support and personal development (e.g. Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
  • Recognition awards to reward staff who go above and beyond.
  • A commitment to development with access to learning and mentoring schemes.
  • A range of generous family‑friendly policies: Paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies. Support for those going through menopause. Paid time off and support for fertility treatment. And more.

We are a Disability Confident Employer. A criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment. This role requires a Government baseline personnel security standard (BPSS) check.

Key Account Manager employer: University of Sheffield

The University of Sheffield is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises the wellbeing and development of its staff. With a generous benefits package including extensive annual leave, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to personal growth through various networks and mentoring schemes, employees are empowered to thrive in their roles. Located in a dynamic academic environment, the role of Key Account Manager provides unique opportunities to engage with industry leaders and contribute to impactful collaborations.

University of Sheffield

Contact Details:

University of Sheffield Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Key Account Manager

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We think you need these skills to ace Key Account Manager

Relationship Building
Communication Skills
Stakeholder Management
Problem-Solving Skills
Technical Understanding
Project Oversight
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