Client Account Lead - Aviation

Jacobs; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading infrastructure firm is seeking a Client Account Lead to drive strategic growth in the aviation sector. The role involves managing key client relationships, developing account growth plans, and aligning client needs with company capabilities. The ideal candidate will have a strong commercial acumen, experience in business development, and the capability to mentor emerging talents. This position fosters innovation and sustainability, offering flexibility and career growth within a hybrid work environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

24 days holiday + option to buy additional days

Enhanced pension contributions

Comprehensive health coverage

Enhanced parental leave

Life assurance at 4× salary

Income protection

Access to wellbeing apps

Professional development opportunities

Paid volunteering time

Qualifications

• Proven experience in client account management or strategic business development.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to shape strategy and influence stakeholders.
• Recognised industry presence and established relationships within aviation or major infrastructure sectors.
• Demonstrated ability to develop cross‑functional teams and mentor emerging talent.
• Passion for innovation, sustainability, and delivering exceptional client experiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement client account growth plans aligned with Jacobs’ strategy.
• Build deep, strategic relationships with key decision‑makers and stakeholders.
• Identify and capture high‑value opportunities, driving commercial success.
• Mentor and coach emerging talent, fostering a high‑performing account team.
• Drive innovation and ESG commitments across the aviation sector.

Skills

Client account management

Strategic business development

Commercial acumen

Mentoring talent

Innovative thinking

Tools

CRM

CSP

Job description

Market Transportation

At Jacobs, we’re challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world’s most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

• As our Client Account Lead, you’ll be the trusted advisor and primary point of contact for some of the UK’s most significant aviation clients, including major airports like Heathrow.
• You’ll direct strategic growth initiatives, shape client relationships, and deliver exceptional outcomes that redefine what’s possible in aviation infrastructure.
• Your role will influence the future of connected, sustainable travel by aligning client needs with Jacobs’ global capabilities.

Day‑to‑day, you’ll:

• Develop and implement client account growth plans aligned with Jacobs’ strategy.
• Build deep, strategic relationships with key decision‑makers and stakeholders.
• Identify and capture high‑value opportunities, driving commercial success.
• Mentor and coach emerging talent, fostering a high‑performing account team.
• Drive innovation, ESG commitments, and thought leadership across the aviation sector.

What’s in it for you?

• Strategic Influence: Shape the future of aviation infrastructure and client partnerships.
• Global Reach: Collaborate across Jacobs’ worldwide network to deliver integrated solutions.
• Career Growth: Manage high‑profile accounts and develop your leadership impact.
• Innovation at Scale: Drive digital transformation and sustainability initiatives in aviation.
• Flexibility: This role can be based at any Jacobs UK office across the UK.

We offer

• Competitive salary: We offer compensation that reflects your skills and experience.
• 24 days holiday + option to buy a further 10 days.
• Robust pension contributions: Enhanced pension contributions up to 10% to secure your future.
• Comprehensive health coverage: Single medical cover and digital GP service, with options to add partner and family.
• Family planning support: Access to fertility healthcare and family planning services.
• Enhanced parental leave: Enjoy enhanced parental leave pay and free membership to employee assistance and parental programs.
• Life assurance at 4× your salary.
• Income protection: Financial security in case of long‑term illness or injury.
• Well‑being hub: Free access to wellbeing apps like Calm and Daily Burn.
• Professional development: We cover professional membership fees and provide continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities.
• Community engagement: Participate in charity matched‑funding, paid volunteering time, and charitable donations.

About the opportunity

At Jacobs, we’re not just building infrastructure — we’re reimagining what’s possible. This is an exciting opportunity to deliver strategic client projects in the aviation sector, driving growth and delivering exceptional outcomes across major airports. You’ll take an insight‑driven, client‑centric approach, embedding best practices and ensuring every engagement positions Jacobs as the partner of choice.

You’ll work across multidisciplinary teams, leveraging Jacobs’ global expertise to co‑create solutions that address the toughest challenges in aviation. From shaping commercial strategies to promoting thought leadership and ESG commitments, your impact will be felt across the industry. The role can be based in any of Jacobs' UK or European office locations.

Joining requirements

• Proven experience in client account management or strategic business development.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to shape strategy and influence stakeholders.
• Recognised industry presence and established relationships within aviation or major infrastructure sectors.
• Demonstrated ability to develop cross‑functional teams and mentor emerging talent.
• Experience with client management frameworks, governance processes, and digital tools (CRM/CSP).
• Passion for innovation, sustainability, and delivering exceptional client experiences.

Jacobs operates a hybrid work environment and a 40‑hour working week as standard.

Equality & diversity

We value collaboration, safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. As a disability‑confident employer, we interview disabled candidates and welcome applicants seeking flexible working or who may not meet all listed requirements. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all candidates.