Key Account Officer/Project Manager

DNV Group; Essen; Hybrid; EUR 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

DNV is seeking a Key Account Officer/Project Manager to join our international team in Essen, Germany. You will manage certification projects for international key accounts in environment, safety, IT security and quality standards, delivering high-quality results within agreed deadlines.

You will liaise between customers and auditors, coordinate audits, and contribute to sales activities to secure and grow the business while using CRM systems to streamline processes.

Qualifications

• Professional English and German communication skills.
• Two years of work experience in a related role.
• Strong commercial awareness and customer focus.
• Experience in a customer-facing role is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional customer experience to new and existing accounts and manage contracts and commitments.
• Coordinate audits and liaise with auditors to ensure high-quality work within deadlines.
• Lead and participate in sales activities to secure and grow existing accounts, including customer visits and external meetings.
• Maintain and leverage CRM to streamline certification processes and administrative tasks.
• Plan and organize audits and ensure auditors deliver quality work on time.
• Collaborate across teams to support revenue growth and customer satisfaction.

Skills

English

German

Commercial awareness

Customer focus

Job description

About Us

We are the independent expert in assurance and risk management. Driven by our purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, we empower our customers and their stakeholders with facts and reliable insights so that critical decisions can be made with confidence.

About Us

We are the independent expert in assurance and risk management. Driven by our purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, we empower our customers and their stakeholders with facts and reliable insights so that critical decisions can be made with confidence.

About Business Assurance

We help companies ensure compliance, build high‑performing management systems, and meet competence needs within a wide range of industries. DNV helps companies understand Working with us, you can be involved in technically challenging and innovative projects worldwide demanding a broad variety of expertise. Our strong focus on research and innovation opens an array of opportunities, and allows you to engage in projects which develop next generation solutions. and manage their risk picture through our management system certification and training portfolios.

About The Role

DNV is one of the leading global providers of accredited management system certification. We help our customers to meet international standards and build sustainable business performance.

We are looking for a Key Account Officer/Project Manager to join our international team. In the role you will manage certification projects of international key accounts in the field of environment, safety, IT security and quality standards.

This is a hybrid role based in Essen, Germany. Candidates must be located in these area.

What You Will Be Doing

Working with others in the team, you will provide exceptional customer experience to new and existing accounts. You will implement and deliver new contracts and commitments, ensuring we meet operations requirements.

You will also be a key point of liaison between DNV customers and our auditors, ensuring seamless communication. You will plan and organize audits, making sure auditors deliver high‑quality work within agreed deadlines.

The role also requires sales activities to secure and develop existing customers. As part of this, you may attend customer visits, external meetings and events. Internal collaboration with DNV colleagues will also be crucial and you will take part in business project enhancement activities to secure future revenue growth and satisfied customers.

Using your initiative and desire for continual improvement, you will put in place and maintain efficient systems like CRM to streamline administrative certification processes.

A typical day in this role might involve

• Starting the day by reviewing new customer and auditor requests
• Monitoring and updating ongoing projects and maintaining accurate records
• Assisting auditors with administrative tasks to ensure smooth operation
• Organizing and preparing the necessary documentation for certification
• Collaborating with the sales team to perform sales calculations and planning
• Participating in team meetings to discuss progress and identify opportunities for improvement.

What we offer

Career development

This role offers you many possibilities for career development and progression. You may grow your expertise in the operational side of our business or move into sales and business development. Or you can continue the key account management path and support larger and more important customers.

Whatever career path you choose, we offer training in cutting-edge digital tools and a supportive, collaborative environment. You will have the resources you need to manage your day‑to‑day workload, without micromanagement, while achieving your career goals.

DNV is an Equal Opportunity Employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to gender, religion, race, national or ethnic origin, cultural background, social group, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age or political opinion. Diversity is fundamental to our culture and we invite you to be part of this diversity.

Security and compliance with statutory requirements in the countries in which we operate is essential for DNV. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates as part of the offer process, in accordance with applicable country‑specific laws and practices.

About You

To be successful in this position, we ask that you have the following:

• Two years of work experience
• Strong commercial background
• Professional level of English and German
• Prior experience in a customer‑focused role

It Would Be a Bonus If You Have

• Experience in certification

Please note that we cannot proceed to the interview stage without the following documents: Curriculum Vitae (CV); Cover- /Motivation Letter; University Diplomas & Transcripts; Reference Letter(s). All documents shall preferably be submitted in English. Please provide them at your earliest convenience to ensure a smooth and timely assessment process. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.