Job Title: Technical Account Manager – Key Account (IT Services)
Location: Derby (Hybrid, 3 days on-site per week)
Salary: £70-£75k, plus performance-based incentives
SC Clearance will be applied - Must be a UK Citizen
The Flagship Account Nobody Wants to Lose
There's a client relationship in Derby that keeps the lights on, drives the strategy, and sets the bar for everything else at this Derby-based IT services business.
It's complex. It's high-stakes. It's the kind of account where excellence isn't negotiable and mediocrity would be catastrophic.
And right now, it needs someone exceptional to own it.
This Isn't Your Average Account Management Role
Most Senior Service Account Manager positions are dressed-up delivery coordinator roles with a bit of client schmoozing on the side.
This isn't that.
This is full ownership of the company's most strategic client partnership – a flagship account in engineering and manufacturing where you'll be trusted advisor, commercial guardian, and operational leader all rolled into one.
Think of it this way: if this account succeeds, the business succeeds. If you succeed here, you're on a fast track to Account Director.
No pressure, then.
What You'll Actually Be Doing
Building Trust That Matters
* Become the trusted advisor to C-suite and IT Directors who've seen every flavour of managed services provider
* Anticipate needs and solve problems before they're articulated
* Earn the kind of trust where they ring you first when something critical is happening
* Become part of their strategic thinking, not just respond to requests
Running the Operation Like You Own It
* Full P&L accountability – manage delivery costs, protect margin, make tough commercial calls
* Monitor SLAs, drive performance, lead service reviews
* Coordinate with the Programme Manager to ensure projects land on time, on budget, on quality
* Navigate complex security, compliance, and governance in highly secure client environments
* Lead root cause analysis and continuous improvement when things go sideways
Growing the Partnership
* Identify opportunities by genuinely understanding client business challenges and strategic direction
* Build business cases for service expansion that benefit both parties
* Lead commercial conversations about contract growth
* Spot white space where capability aligns with need
Who We're Actually Looking For
The Experience We Need:
* Large IT service delivery accounts – ideally engineering, manufacturing, or similarly complex sectors
* P&L ownership – actually accountable for margin and profitability, not just \"supporting commercial activities\"
* Managed services economics – resource-based pricing, SLA frameworks, utilisation rates, change control
* Contract negotiation – variations, scope creep management, difficult commercial conversations
* Senior stakeholder relationships – C-suite/Director-level partnerships where you became trusted, not just \"the supplier\"
* Regulated/secure environments – governance and compliance experience in complex settings
The Attributes That Matter:
* Think like a business owner, not an employee
* Balance client advocacy with commercial discipline
* Comfortable with ambiguity and complexity
* Hungry to progress to Account Director
Why This Role Matters
For the Business:
* This is the flagship account that defines reputation and drives growth strategy
* Get this right and you're shaping the future of the business
For You:
* Full ownership of a strategic account with executive visibility and autonomy
* Clear progression to Account Director based on impact and results
* Hybrid working – 3 days on-site in Derby with supportive team culture
* Performance incentives aligned to account health, client satisfaction, and commercial outcomes
* High-level operation where relationships, delivery excellence, and commercial acumen all matter equally
The Honest Truth About This Role
It's demanding – juggling senior stakeholder expectations, operational delivery, and commercial accountability simultaneously.
It's high-stakes – this is the flagship account, no room for learning on the job.
It's visible – when things go well, you get the credit. When things go sideways, you own the fix.
But if you thrive on that level of responsibility, want full ownership rather than being part of the delivery machine, and you're ready for a role that could define the next phase of your career – this is your opportunity.
Ready to Own It?
If you've successfully managed complex accounts where relationships and commercial discipline are equally critical...
If you've owned a P&L and know what it takes to protect margin whilst delivering exceptional service...
If you're ready to take full accountability for a flagship partnership with room to grow into an Account Director role...
But here's the thing: if you read this and thought \"I could probably do that\" rather than \"I've already done that and I'm ready for more\" – you're probably not quite there yet.
We need someone who knows they can own this. Because the client, the account, and the business's future success depend on it.