Strategic Account Director - Banking

Equifax, Inc.; Greater London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Equifax, Inc. in London seeks a Strategic Account Director to engage proactively with scaling banks and the financial services ecosystem on a consultative basis, learning their business, anticipating needs, and developing Equifax solutions. This is a non-standard, problem-solving role focused on new revenue opportunities.

You will be the trusted advisor, solving complex problems, promoting Equifax solutions, and influencing product development to add value for both clients and Equifax.

Qualifications

• Experience in Banking & Financial Services market with scalable banks.
• Hungry for driving new business and hunting for revenue.
• Proven sales track record with high-value, long sales cycles.
• Ability to manage senior stakeholders and complex relationships.

Responsibilities

• Create and drive effective strategic relationships with key contacts and decision-makers, specifically targeting Directors, Divisional Heads, and C-level stakeholders (CRO, CMO, CCO, CIO) etc., to elevate the conversation and maximise business opportunities.
• Act as a true new business hunter within your accounts, uncovering and driving new revenue streams rather than purely managing day-to-day operations.
• Manage new sales opportunities and execute the sales process from presentation through to contract negotiations and close.
• Maintain Salesforce hygiene excellence as a minimum standard and deliver consistent forecasting excellence.
• Understand client requirements and subsequently develop and implement appropriate services and account sales plans to win significant revenues and drive user adoption of Equifax solutions.
• Lead multi-functional teams and work with Equifax Consultants to formulate and create significant sales opportunities and deliver strategic client solutions.
• Develop, implement, and own financial plans and forecasts by client division and product group, ensuring the accurate completion of all account reporting.
• Maintain an active awareness of market trends (economic, regulatory, competitive, and technology) to identify business opportunities, subsequently influencing and driving appropriate solutions.
• Feed into the formulation of Equifax and client joint goals and strategies, conducting regular status and strategy meetings with senior management.
• Undertake people management of account management and business development staff as necessary, raising overall staff capabilities.

Skills

Banking & Financial Services

New business hunting

Account leadership

Stakeholder management

Sales negotiations

Forecasting

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

The Strategic Account Director will engage proactively with scaling medium to large-sized banks, challenger banks, and the wider financial services ecosystem on a consultative basis to learn their business, anticipate their needs, and develop strategic Equifax solutions. This is not a standard day-to-day account management role; we are seeking a natural problem solver with a curious mindset and a keen hunger for driving new business.

You will understand the challenges faced by clients and adapt the use of Equifax solutions to demonstrate a clear return on investment. Serving as a "trusted advisor,", you will be sought after to solve complex problems, deliver solutions, and aggressively hunt for new revenue opportunities. You will have the ability and confidence to promote and sell the Equifax institution and influence internal product development to implement strategies that add value for both Equifax and its customers.

What You'll Do

• Create and drive effective strategic relationships with key contacts and decision-makers, specifically targeting Directors, Divisional Heads, and C-level stakeholders (CRO, CMO, CCO, CIO) etc., to elevate the conversation and maximise business opportunities.
• Act as a true new business hunter within your accounts, uncovering and driving new revenue streams rather than purely managing day-to-day operations.
• Manage new sales opportunities and execute the sales process from presentation through to contract negotiations and close.
• Maintain Salesforce hygiene excellence as a minimum standard and deliver consistent forecasting excellence.
• Understand client requirements and subsequently develop and implement appropriate services and account sales plans to win significant revenues and drive user adoption of Equifax solutions.
• Lead multi-functional teams and work with Equifax Consultants to formulate and create significant sales opportunities and deliver strategic client solutions.
• Develop, implement, and own financial plans and forecasts by client division and product group, ensuring the accurate completion of all account reporting.
• Maintain an active awareness of market trends (economic, regulatory, competitive, and technology) to identify business opportunities, subsequently influencing and driving appropriate solutions.
• Feed into the formulation of Equifax and client joint goals and strategies, conducting regular status and strategy meetings with senior management.
• Undertake people management of account management and business development staff as necessary, raising overall staff capabilities.

What experience you need

• Experience in the Banking & Financial Services market, specifically with a track record of scaling medium to large-sized banks (not strictly limited to niche neobanks).
• An evidenced hunger for driving new business and hunting for new revenue within previous roles.
• A successful sales track record leading complex, high-value (£1m+) customer relationships, or equivalent relationship management experience.
• Personal gravitas, confidence, and the ability to comfortably manage complex strategic relationships at senior levels.
• Experience managing an account within the top 20 of a company's portfolio and managing multiple lines of business.
• Experience having managed a team to successfully deliver high-value, multi-year sales in excess of £250,000 or more.
• Proven resilience and performance in driving revenue and negotiating deals with long sales cycles.
• Demonstrable over-performance sales track record and experience managing complex pricing negotiations.
• Extensive experience in presenting to senior-level decision-makers.

What could set you apart

• Diverse Backgrounds: We welcome "fresh eyes." Candidates from a top-tier advisory or consultancy background (e.g., Big 4) who have acted as strategic relationship managers to banks, or people who have worked at a senior level commercially within lending, are highly encouraged to apply.
• Industry Expertise: Knowledge of Consumer, Commercial, and Marketing data is beneficial, but prior experience within a Credit Reference Agency (CRA) is not strictly required if you possess strong advisory and business development skills.
• Project Leadership: A background in having sold and led consultancy projects.