Head of Strategic Accounts

Practicus; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A fast-scaling water technology business in Southampton is seeking a Head of Strategic Accounts to lead and grow strategic customer relationships. The role focuses on consultative sales and long-term value creation rather than quick wins. The successful candidate will manage a small team and collaborate closely with the leadership team to drive sustainable growth. A salary range of £60,000 – £80,000 is offered, plus a bonus aligned with mutual success. This is a hybrid role, requiring three days in the office.

Qualifications

• Experience in technical or complex sales environments.
• Comfortable balancing strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.
• Ability to build genuine, long-term relationships.

Responsibilities

• Own and grow key customer and distributor relationships.
• Spend time with customers to understand their challenges.
• Lead a consultative sales process through longer decision cycles.
• Identify and develop new opportunities through market insight.
• Manage and develop a small team of direct reports.

Skills

Consultative sales

Relationship management

Strategic thinking

Business development

Job description

Head of Strategic Accounts

Practicus, Southampton, England, United Kingdom

This is a standout opportunity for a senior commercial leader who believes the strongest sales are built on credibility, insight, and trusted relationships, not quick wins. If you thrive in a consultative, business development–led environment and enjoy shaping opportunities over time, this role will feel like a natural next step.

You’ll be joining a fast‑scaling water technology business with a proven product (hardware + SaaS), established customers, and ambitious international growth plans. The foundations are firmly in place – now the business is looking for someone to lead its most strategic accounts and develop new opportunities in a thoughtful, sustainable way.

The opportunity

As Head of Strategic Accounts, you’ll step in as a senior figure, working closely with the founders and leadership team to take an existing commercial strategy and turn it into repeatable, scalable growth. There is a clear pathway for this role to evolve into an executive‑level position as the company continues to scale.

From day one, you’ll inherit:

• 5–6 established customer and distributor relationships
• A strong pipeline with longer sales cycles and multiple stakeholders
• An international remit, with around 90% of activity across Europe

This is not a high‑volume, transactional sales environment. Sales here are technical, consultative, and relationship‑driven, often involving RFIs, tenders, pilots, and phased expansion once trust and value are proven.

What you’ll be doing

Your focus will be on strategic account leadership and business development.

• Own and grow key customer and distributor relationships, expanding value through insight‑led conversations
• Spend time with customers in person where it matters, developing a deep understanding of their environments, challenges, and buying processes
• Lead a consultative sales process, supporting customers through longer decision cycles rather than pushing for fast closes
• Identify and develop new opportunities through market insight, partnerships, and referrals
• Build and embed commercial foundations, including CRM, pipeline visibility, forecasting, and sales processes designed for long‑term growth
• Manage and develop a small team (initially two direct reports), setting the standard for quality, collaboration, and accountability
• Act as the internal voice of the customer, feeding real‑world insight into product, operations, and R&D teams

What success looks like

In your first 6 months, success will look like:

• Trusted, credible relationships with customers and distributors
• Clear and realistic pipeline visibility and forecasting
• A sales approach that supports sustainable, long‑term account growth
• Lead by example, showing your team how to collaborate, grow with the business, and build genuine, long‑term relationships with customers

Over time, you’ll be recognised as the commercial leader driving customer‑centric growth across the business.

About you

You’ll likely come from a technical or complex sales environment where credibility, patience, and understanding matter. You’re comfortable balancing strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery, enjoy being close to customers, and value building something properly rather than chasing quick wins. This role will suit someone who genuinely sees sales as a long‑term value game.

Location & package

📍 Southampton (hybrid working, typically 3 days in the office, with more presence early on)

💷 £60,000 – £80,000 base salary, plus a bonus aligned to shared, long‑term success

Apply via the link and learn more!