Strategic Account Director — £20m Defence Partnership

Wallace Hind Selection; Bedford; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Car allowance

25 days holiday

Job summary

Wallace Hind Selection in Bedford is seeking an Account Director, Contract Manufacturing, to lead a major customer partnership within the UK Defence sector from a hybrid Bedford base. You will lead a three-person Account Management team and drive profitable, long-term growth across the account.

The role requires strategic account leadership, executive stakeholder management, and collaboration across Engineering, Operations, Quality and Commercial teams to deliver exceptional service and

Qualifications

• Proven leadership of customer-facing teams in a contract manufacturing or technical subcontract environment.
• Track record managing large, complex strategic accounts with long-term agreements.
• Strong coaching and mentoring abilities with evidence of developing high-performing teams.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders internally and externally.
• Excellent commercial awareness including forecasting, planning and growth strategy.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of three Account Managers.
• Own a key customer partnership worth ~A£20m ensuring sustainable growth and profitability.
• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with customer organisations.
• Champion cross-functional collaboration to ensure delivery excellence and customer experience.
• Drive account planning, commercial reviews and business development to identify opportunities.
• Partner with the MD to shape commercial strategy and long-term planning.
• Ensure accurate forecasting, budgeting and performance reporting across the portfolio.
• Develop succession, capability and performance plans for the team.

Skills

Leadership

Account management

Strategic thinking

Forecasting & budgeting

Job description

Wallace Hind Selection in Bedford is seeking an Account Director, Contract Manufacturing, to lead a major customer partnership within the UK Defence sector from a hybrid Bedford base. You will lead a three-person Account Management team and drive profitable, long-term growth across the account.

The role requires strategic account leadership, executive stakeholder management, and collaboration across Engineering, Operations, Quality and Commercial teams to deliver exceptional service and