At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to build strong customer partnerships and drive business growth.
- Company: Zenith, the UK's leading independent leasing and fleet management provider.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, commission structure, flexible benefits, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Join an award-winning company committed to sustainability and employee development.
- Why this job: Shape customer strategy and make a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in customer relationship management and commercial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 110000 - 125000 £ per year.
Overview
At Zenith, we've been helping organisations move further, smarter and more sustainably for over 30 years.
As the UK's leading independent leasing and fleet management provider, we're proud of our people, our award‑winning service and our ambition to be the UK's most customer‑focused fleet partner.
We partner with some of the UK's most recognisable brands, delivering bespoke contract hire, salary sacrifice and fleet solutions that create real commercial value.
With a portfolio of blue‑chip customers and household names already trusting Zenith, we're continuing to invest in our future and accelerate our growth.
Following a recent comprehensive Group refinancing, significant investment across our Corporate business including the appointment of Andy Wolff as our Managing Director – Corporate and a strengthened platform for long‑term growth, we're investing in our future, and creating a new opportunity for a Director of Strategic & Customer Relationships to lead our Corporate Customer Relationship function.
This is a high‑profile leadership opportunity for an experienced commercial and customer leader who thrives on building long‑term partnerships, developing high‑performing teams and delivering sustainable business growth.
You'll shape the strategy for customer retention, fleet growth and account development across some of Zenith's most strategically important corporate customers.
What's the Role
Reporting to the Corporate Managing Director, you'll lead a team of approximately 15 Customer Relationship professionals, setting the strategic direction for the function and ensuring a consistent, high‑quality approach to customer relationship management across the Corporate division.
You'll be accountable for developing and executing a customer strategy that drives retention, revenue growth and customer advocacy, while ensuring our customers continue to view Zenith as a trusted long‑term partner.
This is a highly visible leadership role, requiring someone who can successfully balance customer outcomes, commercial performance and colleague development.
You'll work closely with Executive Committee members, senior stakeholders and customers at C‑suite level to strengthen existing relationships and identify new growth opportunities.
Key responsibilities
- Define and deliver the strategy for the Customer Relationship function, supporting retention, fleet growth and commercial performance.
- Lead, coach and develop a team of Customer Relationship Directors and customer professionals, creating a high‑performing and inclusive culture.
- Take ownership of customer retention, growth and profitability across the Corporate customer portfolio.
- Build and maintain executive‑level relationships with key customers and strategic partners.
- Act as Executive Sponsor for strategically important customer relationships and lead senior stakeholder engagement activity.
- Own and evolve Zenith's Executive Committee Sponsorship Programme and strategic customer defence roadmap.
- Ensure robust contract governance, account planning and customer review processes are in place.
- Represent the voice of the customer within senior leadership forums and influence future business investment decisions.
- Collaborate closely with sales, operations, finance and executive teams to deliver exceptional customer outcomes.
- Lead change initiatives and transformation programmes that improve customer experience and business performance.
- Develop leadership capability, succession plans and future talent pipelines across the function.
- Ensure delivery of budget commitments, profitability targets and strategic objectives.
- What You'll Bring
We're looking for a strategic leader with a proven ability to build strong customer partnerships, inspire teams and deliver commercial results.
Essential experience
- Significant leadership experience within the automotive, leasing, fleet management or mobility sector.
- Experience leading Customer Relationship, Account Management or Customer Service functions.
- Proven success developing and executing customer or functional strategies that support business growth.
- Strong experience leading and developing high‑performing teams.
- Experience managing complex internal and external stakeholder relationships, including executive and board‑level engagement.
- Strong commercial acumen with experience balancing customer success and business performance.
- Experience leading organisational change and driving engagement through periods of transformation.
- Leadership qualities
- A strategic thinker who can anticipate future trends and translate them into actionable plans.
- A collaborative leader who builds trust and credibility at every level.
- A role model for high standards, accountability and customer focus.
- Passionate about developing people and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.
- Curious, solutions‑focused and committed to continuous improvement.
- An empathetic and authentic leader who can successfully lead teams through change.
- What's in it for You
- Competitive base salary – £110k – £125k
- Excellent commission structure
- EV car or car allowance
- 6.25% employer pension contribution
- 24 days annual leave, 1 day for birthday plus bank holidays
- Option to buy or sell holidays (+5 or –3)
- Flexible benefits: PMI for family, dental, cycletowork, critical illness cover, etc.
- Financial benefits: tech scheme, car sacrifice scheme, cycletowork scheme, season ticket loans, AA breakdown cover
- Perks at work – shopping discount site
- Wellbeing support: company GP, employee assistance, pension advice, funded HRT treatment, mental health first aiders
Why Zenith?
- Our customers trust us – partnering with some of the UK's largest and most recognisable brands.
- Our people stay with us – we've built a collaborative, supportive culture where people are empowered to make an impact.
- We're ambitious – backed by recent recapitalisation, major investment, a clear strategy for long‑term growth and a thriving fleet of almost 170,000 vehicles.
- We're award‑winning – including Leasing Company of the Year (Fleet News 2026), Large Business of the Year and Diversity & Inclusion Award winners at the Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards, and Wellbeing Award winners at Fleet News 2025.
- We're leading the transition to sustainable mobility – with over 41% of our fleet now battery electric vehicles and a long‑standing commitment to sustainability.
- We're invested in your future – clear development opportunities, structured career pathways and the chance to build a long‑term career with a market leader.
- Equal Opportunity
We want to positively encourage differences in Zenith and believe it is critical to our success as a company.
Zenith is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace that seeks to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills.
We therefore encourage applications from all genders, races, religions, ages and sexual orientations, as well as parents, veterans, people living with disabilities, and any other groups that could bring diverse perspectives to our business.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Director of Customer and Strategic Relationships employer: Zenith Group
Zenith Group is an excellent employer, offering HGV Mobile Service Technicians a dynamic work environment that prioritises reliability and excellence. With competitive pay, generous overtime opportunities, and a strong focus on professional development, employees can thrive in their careers while enjoying the benefits of working across diverse locations in the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Customer and Strategic Relationships
✨Get to Know the Company Culture
Before jumping into applications, it’s super helpful to understand the vibe at Zenith Group. Check out their social media, read reviews on sites like Glassdoor, and see how they engage with customers. It'll give you clues on their values and help tailor your conversation during interviews.
✨Join Customer Support Communities
Dive into online communities like those on Reddit or LinkedIn where customer support pros hang out. Participating in discussions or asking questions can make you more visible to potential recruiters and help you learn about job openings at companies like Zenith Group before they even post them.
✨Attend Job Fairs or Networking Events
Look out for local job fairs or events specifically for customer support roles. This is your chance to meet hiring managers face-to-face, and you might even get the opportunity to interview on the spot!
✨Show Off Your Skills with Customer Interactions
In the customer support world, showcasing your communication skills is key. Consider creating a short video introducing yourself or even doing a mock call to showcase your abilities. It's a memorable way to stand out, especially if you can share this during your interview process!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Customer and Strategic Relationships
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Communication Skills:In customer support, clear communication is key. Make sure your CV highlights any experience you've had in customer-facing roles and your ability to resolve issues. Don't shy away from including specific examples of how you've gone above and beyond to help customers – this really shows your potential in the role.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Zenith Group:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Tell us why you want to work at Zenith Group specifically. Mention any unique aspects of our company that resonate with you and how your skills can enhance our customer support. This personal touch will set your application apart from the rest!
Highlight Any Relevant Tools or Tech Skills:If you've used customer support software like Zendesk or Freshdesk or have experience with CRM systems, make sure to mention these in your application. Being familiar with industry-standard tools can be a big plus for us when we’re reviewing applications, as it shows you can hit the ground running!
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills:Customer support roles often require a knack for problem-solving. In your application, share examples of past experiences where you've tackled tough situations or resolved conflicts effectively. This will give us a good sense of how you handle challenges—an essential skill for success at Zenith Group!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zenith Group
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In customer support, it's all about communicating effectively. Prepare to share instances from your past experiences where you handled difficult customers or resolved conflicts. We want to hear how you empathised and found the best solutions, so think of specific examples to back up your stories!
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with common customer support tools like Zendesk or Freshdesk, and make sure to review how you’ve used any similar systems in the past. During the interview, being able to discuss your hands-on experience with software or ticketing systems can really set you apart from the competition, so don’t skip this prep!
✨Show Genuine Enthusiasm
As this is a full-time role, employers want someone who isn’t just looking for any job, but wants to grow within customer support. Make sure to express your enthusiasm for helping customers and your desire to develop your skills. Show them why you're passionate about this field!
✨Practice Common Scenarios
Be prepared for role-playing scenarios where you might have to reassess a solution with a frustrated customer or explain a complex process in simple terms. Practising these common scenarios can help us feel more confident and demonstrate our practical skills effectively during the interview.
