Account Director

WPS; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

WPS is seeking an experienced Account Director to lead the delivery of Facilities Management services at the Wellcome Genome Campus in Hinxton. The role carries full operational, commercial and financial responsibility for the account.

You will provide strategic leadership, develop strong stakeholder relationships, drive continuous improvement and ensure a first‑class service while guiding high‑performing teams and identifying opportunities for growth and innovation.

Qualifications

• Senior FM leadership experience required.
• Proven track record managing complex client accounts.
• Strong P&L ownership and commercial awareness.
• Experience building senior stakeholder relationships.
• Leadership to motivate and develop teams.
• Understanding of risk, compliance and governance.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Experience managing supply chain partners and service delivery.
• Customer-focused with service excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic vision and direction of the account.
• Own and develop senior client relationships.
• Deliver operational excellence across FM services.
• Oversee full P&L and cash flow responsibility.
• Drive contract performance, profitability and growth.
• Manage risk, compliance and governance requirements.
• Lead and develop high-performing teams.
• Collaborate with wider Wates Group for innovative solutions.

Skills

FM leadership

Account management

P&L ownership

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Risk & compliance

Communication skills

IT skills

Education

NEBOSH/IOSH qualification

HNC/HND

IWFM/BIFM qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office

CAFM systems

Job description

WPS (Facilities Management) Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire Full Time | Permanent

Be part of something exceptional

At WPS, we're looking for an experienced Account Director to lead the delivery of Facilities Management services at the world-renowned Wellcome Genome Campus in Hinxton. This is a strategic leadership role overseeing a prestigious and complex client account, where you will be responsible for driving operational excellence, building exceptional client relationships, leading high-performing teams, and identifying opportunities for growth and innovation. Working at one of the UK's leading scientific research campuses, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring a first-class facilities management service while shaping the long-term success of the partnership between Wates and our client.

About The Role

As Account Director, you will have full operational, commercial and financial responsibility for the account, ensuring services are delivered safely, efficiently and in line with client expectations. You will provide strategic leadership across the contract, creating a consistent delivery model, developing strong stakeholder relationships and driving continuous improvement initiatives that add value for both the client and Wates.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Leading the strategic vision and direction of the account
• Owning and developing senior client relationships
• Delivering operational excellence across all FM services
• Full P&L and cash flow responsibility
• Driving contract performance, profitability and organic growth
• Managing risk, compliance and governance requirements
• Leading, developing and retaining high-performing teams
• Championing health, safety, environment and quality standards
• Supporting the identification and delivery of additional FM and project opportunities
• Working collaboratively across the wider Wates Group to bring innovative solutions to the client

What We're Looking For

We're keen to speak with commercially astute FM leaders who have a proven track record of managing complex client relationships and delivering operational success within a facilities management environment.

You’ll Bring

• Significant experience in a senior Facilities Management leadership role
• Strong account management experience with responsibility for complex or large-scale contracts
• Demonstrable P&L ownership and commercial awareness
• Experience building relationships with senior stakeholders and clients
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, develop and engage teams
• A solid understanding of risk management, compliance and operational governance
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation and influencing skills
• Experience managing supply chain partners and service delivery performance
• A customer-focused approach with a passion for service excellence
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and CAFM systems
• Experience in Soft Services would add value to the role.

Qualifications

Ideally, you'll hold:

• NEBOSH or IOSH qualification
• HNC/HND or equivalent qualification
• IWFM/BIFM qualification (desirable)

Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo an Enhanced and Barred Lists Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks.