Global Director of Customer Solutions

IRIS Software Group; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

IRIS Software Group, a leading UK software company, seeks a Global Director of Customer Solutions to unify pre-sales, bid management and SME teams under one global strategy. You will collaborate with Sales, Product, Customer Success and Marketing to improve customer confidence and commercial results across regions.

This is a hands-on leadership role guiding multi-market initiatives. You will build high-performing teams, shape global strategy, and drive measurable improvements in win rates, deal

Qualifications

• Experience leading multiple customer-facing teams in a B2B software or SaaS environment.
• Proven track record of improving commercial performance, win rates and deal values.
• Strong leadership and coaching abilities across global teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop global Pre-Sales, Bid Management and SME teams.
• Create a consistent operating model across regions to drive collaboration.
• Support large strategic customer opportunities as a senior commercial leader.
• Improve demonstrations, solution design and technical validation quality.
• Oversee bid management to deliver high-quality tenders and RFPs on time.
• Partner with Sales, Product, Customer Success and Marketing to ensure a seamless journey.
• Develop scalable governance, processes and reporting for global growth.
• Coach leaders and build a high-performing, customer-focused function.
• Drive improvements in win rates, deal size, expansion revenue and retention.

Skills

Leadership

Pre-Sales

Bid Management

SaaS

Stakeholder Management

Team Leadership

Job description

About IRIS

IRIS Software Group is one of the UK's largest privately held software companies, trusted by 100,000+ businesses, schools and accountancy firms to keep their operations running. Our software pays 1 in 6 UK employees, supports over 12,000 schools, and is relied on by 91 of the top 100 UK accountancy firms.

We’re a Great Place to Work certified employer, recognised for our commitment to well-being, inclusion and development - and we’re growing fast.

Global Director of Customer Solutions

As our Global Director of Customer Solutions, you’ll lead a critical commercial function responsible for helping customers feel confident in choosing IRIS. Reporting to Anthony Kikkert, you’ll bring together our Pre‑Sales, Bid Management and Subject Matter Expert (SME) teams under one global strategy, ensuring they work seamlessly to support both new business and existing customers. Working closely with Sales, Product, Customer Success and Marketing, you’ll play a key role in improving customer confidence, strengthening commercial performance and shaping how IRIS wins and grows business across the globe. This is a hands‑on leadership opportunity for someone who enjoys building high‑performing teams, influencing strategic customer opportunities and delivering measurable commercial results.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop our global Pre‑Sales, Bid Management and SME Specialist teams.
• Create a consistent operating model across all regions, driving collaboration and best practice.
• Support our largest and most strategic customer opportunities, acting as a senior commercial leader.
• Improve the quality and consistency of demonstrations, solution design and technical validation.
• Oversee the bid management function, ensuring high-quality tenders, proposals and RFP responses are delivered on time.
• Partner closely with Sales, Product, Customer Success and Marketing to create a seamless customer journey.
• Develop scalable processes, governance and reporting to support continued global growth.
• Coach and develop leaders while building a high‑performing, customer‑focused global function.
• Drive measurable improvements in:
  • Win rates
  • Average deal size
  • Expansion revenue
  • Customer retention
  • Time‑to‑close.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for an experienced commercial leader who brings

• Leadership experience within Pre‑Sales, Solutions Consulting, Solution Engineering, Bid Management or Customer Solutions.
• Experience managing multiple customer‑facing teams within a B2B Software or SaaS environment.
• A proven track record of improving commercial performance, including increasing win rates, deal values and customer retention.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to coach, develop and inspire high‑performing teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with experience partnering closely with Sales, Product and Customer Success leaders.
• The ability to translate technical solutions into clear commercial value for customers.
• Experience supporting enterprise sales teams and complex, high‑value opportunities.
• Experience within HR, Payroll, Accountancy, Education or other regulated software sectors would be advantageous.

Location: UK (Hybrid / One of our UK offices)

Salary: Competitive

Reporting to: VP of Global Sales Enablement

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Impact: Your work will influence millions globally.
• Growth: Continuous learning and career development opportunities.
• Belonging: A culture that celebrates diversity and empowers every individual.