Strategic Account Manager - Team Leader

H2O Recruitment Services; Derby; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Bonus potential

Job summary

H2O Recruitment Services are recruiting a Strategic Account Manager / Team Leader to own and develop a major rail client relationship from Derby. The role combines strategic account leadership with hands-on commercial delivery across the UK.

You will lead a team, build senior stakeholder relationships, identify opportunities across departments, and drive service excellence, growth and client satisfaction while reporting to the Rail, Engineering & Technical Services division.

Qualifications

• Proven track record developing and growing major client accounts.
• Experience managing complex, multi‑stakeholder relationships.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to identify new revenue opportunities.
• Experience leading, motivating or coordinating teams.

Responsibilities

• Taking strategic ownership of a major, established rail account.
• Building relationships with senior stakeholders and decision‑makers.
• Identifying opportunities to expand services across departments and sites.
• Developing a deep understanding of the client’s workforce needs and future requirements.
• Leading and supporting a team delivering specialist workforce solutions.
• Ensuring excellent service delivery, client satisfaction and performance.

Skills

Strategic account mgmt

Team leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Commercial acumen

Job description

STRATEGIC ACCOUNT MANAGER / TEAM LEADER

Rail, Engineering & Technical Services

Location: Derby

Salary: Negotiable, depending on experience

Package: 4,800 car allowance plus performance-related bonus/commission

Working pattern: Predominantly office-based, with potential for one day working from home once established

Travel: UK client-site travel as required

THE OPPORTUNITY

Are you an experienced Strategic Account Manager, Key Account Manager or commercially driven team leader who enjoys developing major client relationships, identifying new opportunities and leading people to deliver exceptional results?

We are recruiting for an established, privately owned business operating across rail, engineering, automotive and technical markets.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a significant, long-standing rail client relationship and play a pivotal role in its continued development.

The account is already established, but the opportunity extends well beyond maintaining existing business.

We are looking for someone who can strengthen senior stakeholder relationships, identify untapped opportunities across the wider organisation and supply chain, and lead an established team to deliver consistently high standards.

You will combine strategic account development with hands‑on commercial leadership, taking responsibility for both client satisfaction and sustainable account growth.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

• Taking strategic ownership of a major, established rail account.
• Building and strengthening relationships with senior stakeholders, operational leaders and key decision‑makers.
• Identifying opportunities to expand services across additional departments, sites and business units.
• Developing a thorough understanding of the client's current and future workforce requirements.
• Leading and supporting an established team responsible for delivering specialist workforce solutions.
• Ensuring excellent service delivery, client satisfaction and operational performance.
• Identifying commercial opportunities within the wider rail and engineering supply chain.
• Attending client meetings and operational sites across the UK.
• Monitoring account performance, forecasting, service levels and commercial results.
• Resolving challenges proactively and ensuring the account continues to develop.
• Creating and delivering a clear strategy for long‑term account growth.

ABOUT YOU

We are particularly interested in speaking with commercially accomplished professionals who have experience managing significant client relationships and leading teams.

You may currently be working as a:

Strategic Account Manager or Senior Key Account Manager

National Account Manager or Account Director

Commercial Manager or Business Manager

Sales Manager with major account responsibility

Client Services Manager or Client Solutions Manager

Workforce Solutions or Technical Services Manager

You will ideally demonstrate:

A proven track record of developing and growing major client accounts.

Experience managing complex, multi‑stakeholder relationships.

Strong commercial awareness and the ability to identify new revenue opportunities.

Experience leading, motivating or coordinating teams.

Confidence engaging with senior decision‑makers.

Excellent negotiation, communication and relationship‑management skills.

The ability to balance strategic planning with hands‑on operational involvement.

A proactive approach to identifying opportunities rather than simply maintaining existing business.

Experience within rail, engineering, manufacturing, automotive, industrial services, technical staffing or another complex B2B environment would be particularly relevant.

We are equally interested in candidates who have successfully managed and developed major accounts within engineering, technical services or other relevant commercial sectors and can demonstrate transferable experience.

WHY CONSIDER THIS ROLE?

Take ownership of an established and significant client relationship.

Join a well-established, privately owned business.

Work with recognised organisations across specialist technical markets.

Enjoy autonomy to develop and implement your own account‑growth strategy.

Lead an established team and influence service delivery.

Benefit from a competitive salary, car allowance and performance‑related earnings.

Play a key role in the continued development of the Derby operation.

This opportunity will appeal to someone who enjoys building lasting relationships but still has the commercial drive to identify new opportunities and make a measurable impact.