Key Account Director - Naval

Location: Remote UK, United Kingdom

In fast changing markets, customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrow's possible.

Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

Job title: Key Account Director – Naval  

Location: London, Reading, or Crawley ( other TUK locations considered)

Are you seeking a highly strategic account management role that will spearhead the growth of the Thales UK Naval defence business across the breadth of Thales' product and service offerings.

As the Key Account Director (KAD ) – Naval, you will play a pivotal role in evolving Thales UK’s business with a focus on developing a 5 year strategy for growth that helps to shape customer thinking, keeps Thales relevant and fully aligned with the customer vision , operational strategy and expectations.   As the primary liaison between Thales and its key customers in the Royal Navy the role will leverage a deep understanding of their business to articulate how Thales can help enhance and deliver on their strategic objectives. This role focusses on business development to drive profitable growth and increase long-term wallet share while advocating for customer needs within Thales. By ensuring exceptional customer satisfaction throughout the technology maturation lifecycle, the Key Account Manager aligns Thales' technology offerings with customer goals, fostering shared success and lasting partnerships.
 

What does the role offer you?

This is a highly visible role which will provide you with the accountability for creating significant business of strategic importance for achieving our Naval market ambitions, whilst positively impacting Group results,  particularly order intake and profitability. You will serve as the ‘voice of the customer’ within Thales through effective relationships internally with GBU and country leadership and externally with partners and the UK MoD customer organisations.

Key Dimensions of the Role

Reporting to the Chief Growth Officer this is a multi-dimensional role, offering a broad range of compelling professional challenges and career development opportunities. Key responsibilities and accountabilities are extensive, include but are not limited to:

• Developing a comprehensive Key Account Plan that outlines the account strategy, ensuring alignment between the plan, the customer’s goals, and Thales’ internal stakeholders.

• Collaborating with customers to identify and define strategic initiatives that foster growth beyond standard business practices, thereby nurturing a partnership-based relationship.

• Exploring and identifying opportunities that leveraging the broader Thales portfolio / value proposition to address customer needs, contributing to the development of effective capture strategies and dedicated teams for these initiatives.

• Continuously monitoring and analysing the performance of Thales’ competitors and partners within the customer landscape, providing insights to adapt strategies and maintain a competitive edge.

• Facilitation of collaboration and alignment among internal and external stakeholders (on key topics such as tendering, project execution, technology portfolio, and customer satisfaction), while actively supporting sales teams to secure Order Intake.

• Leading the implementation of strategic initiatives outlined in the Key Account Plan, coordinating with Countries, Business Lines (BLs), and Global Business Units (GBUs) to ensure the successful execution of related action plans.

• Reconciliation of customer bids and projects where necessary and ensuring opportunities are resourced.

• Definition of customer governance, as part of the Key Account Plan (“who meets who and when”).

• Own the customer experience, including for events.

About You

To be considered for this role, you must be able to demonstrate the following Minimum Valuable Experience (MVE):

• Proven ability to develop and execute Strategic Account Plans that lead to tangible growth, financial and customer satisfaction.

• A successful track record of building respect and trust with stakeholders at all levels within the Naval defence business, including UK MoD and Naval Command.

• Demonstrable experience of strategic results orientated thinking involving the coordination of multifunctional teams and resources, delivering tangible results in terms of revenue and market growth.

• Familiarity with navigating complex matrixed, political environments, leveraging relationships and power dynamics to achieve optimal results.

• Exceptional team builder with strong communication skills, effectively engaging with individuals at all organisational levels.

• Influential communicator skilled in persuasion and negotiation, able to gain buy-in from both senior internal and external stakeholders.

• Proven ability to thrive in ambiguous environments, adept at developing innovative solutions and strategies from complex situations.

• Capable of representing Thales Group holistically to the customer, ensuring alignment and understanding of the broader vision and offerings.

This role is open to individuals who currently hold or are able to attain at least a NATO SC level of security clearance.

Closing date for applications is15th Apr.

Provisionally first stage assessments are planned to take place w/c 23 Apr.

Please ensure your Workday Career Profile is complete and updated.

In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.

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