Account Manager

James McKenzie Wills Limited; East Grinstead; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

James McKenzie Wills Limited is seeking an Account Manager to oversee a portfolio of clients from onboarding to ongoing relationship management. You will review third-party contracts, coordinate with internal teams, and identify opportunities to grow accounts.

The role is based at our East Grinstead head office, with occasional client meetings and roadshows as required. The position requires a commercial mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple client accounts

Qualifications

• Experience in account management or client services.
• Experience reviewing third-party contracts or commercial terms.
• Strong written and verbal communication, including meetings and negotiations.
• Excellent organisation and attention to detail with multiple accounts.
• Commercial awareness and sound judgement.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage a portfolio of client accounts.
• Review third-party contracts and service agreements.
• Coordinate onboarding of new clients from contract to handover.
• Monitor performance and prepare client reviews and updates.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure successful service delivery.
• Support contract discussions, amendments and renewals.

Skills

Account management

Contract review

Client onboarding

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Commercial awareness

Travel readiness

Team collaboration

Education

Commercial Law degree

Job description

The Account Manager will act as the primary point of contact for a portfolio of clients, delivering a high standard of service, supporting retention and developing strong, long-term commercial relationships.

Working within the Sales & Marketing team and alongside experienced Account Managers, the role combines account ownership with responsibility for reviewing third-party contracts and supporting the smooth onboarding of new clients. The postholder will work closely with internal teams to coordinate client requirements, monitor performance and identify opportunities for account growth.

Salary: Up to £35,000 (Depending on experience)

Key responsibilities

Client relationship and account management

• Own and manage a portfolio of client accounts, acting as the main point of contact for day-to-day enquiries, reviews and service matters.
• Build trusted relationships by developing a clear understanding of each client’s objectives, requirements and expectations.
• Manage client issues and escalations promptly, coordinating with the appropriate internal teams to reach an effective resolution.
• Identify appropriate opportunities to strengthen relationships, improve retention and introduce additional services.

Contracts and commercial review

• Review third-party contracts, service agreements, terms and related commercial documentation, identifying key obligations, risks, renewal requirements and points requiring clarification.
• Support the Head of Sales and relevant internal stakeholders with contract discussions, amendments and renewals, escalating legal or specialist matters where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date contractual records, including key dates, agreed terms, actions and approval requirements.
• Monitor performance against agreed contractual commitments and support proportionate action where obligations or service expectations are not being met.
• Apply strong commercial judgement while working within company policies, approval processes and agreed risk parameters.

New client onboarding

• Coordinate the onboarding of new clients from contract completion through to operational handover and implementation.
• Gather and confirm the information, documentation and internal approvals needed to establish each new account accurately.
• Work with relevant departments to agree responsibilities, milestones, communications and service requirements.
• Keep clients and internal stakeholders informed throughout onboarding, ensuring actions are completed and any risks or delays are escalated promptly.
• Conduct an appropriate post-onboarding review to confirm that agreed arrangements are embedded and any outstanding actions are closed.

Commercial and strategic contribution

• Monitor account performance and prepare clear management information, client reviews and commercial updates.
• Contribute client insight and feedback to support service improvement, product development and business planning.
• Coordinate client-related projects and marketing activity, including attendance at roadshows.
• Support and coordinate webinar presentations where required.
• Maintain accurate account records, forecasts and pipeline information, reporting regularly to the Head of Sales.

Team collaboration

• Work collaboratively with fellow Account Managers and colleagues across the business to provide a consistent, high-quality client experience.
• Share knowledge, best practice and relevant account updates through regular team meetings and day-to-day collaboration.
• Support the onboarding and development of new colleagues where appropriate.

Skills and experience

• Experience in account management, client services, contract administration or a related commercial role.
• Practical experience of reviewing third-party contracts, service agreements or commercial terms, with the ability to identify key obligations, risks and actions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including confidence in client meetings and commercial discussions.
• Excellent organisation and attention to detail, with the ability to manage several accounts, deadlines and onboarding activities at the same time.
• Commercial awareness, sound judgement and the confidence to seek specialist advice or elevate matters when required.
• A collaborative, professional and self-motivated approach.
• A degree or equivalent qualification in Commercial Law, Law, Business, Contract Management or another relevant discipline.
• Alternatively, demonstrable experience reviewing, administering or supporting negotiations relating to third-party commercial contracts.
• Experience of client onboarding, implementation or cross-functional project coordination.
• Experience of contract renewals, account growth and performance reporting.

The person we are looking for

You will be commercially aware, client-focused and comfortable moving between relationship management, detailed contract review and practical onboarding activity. You will bring fresh ideas, positive energy and a flexible approach to the team, with enthusiasm for building strong client relationships both virtually and face-to-face. You will communicate clearly, take ownership of your work and collaborate effectively with experienced colleagues across the Sales & Marketing team and the wider business. As this is a Head Office-based role, you will also be able to attend the East Grinstead office regularly and travel to meet clients and attend business events when required.

This job specification is not exhaustive. Duties may change in line with the development of the role and the wider business needs of the organisation.