Key Account Manager
UK Based/South West England
Permanent, Full-time
You will need to be able to pass security clearance for this role and have the right to work and reside in the UK.
The Role:
As Key Account Manager, you will play a pivotal role in strengthening and growing JFD’s presence across the UK, European and NATO defence sectors. Working with strategically important customers, you will develop deep customer relationships, enhance understanding of their evolving requirements and position JFD as a trusted long-term partner.
This is a relationship-focused role that combines account management, business development and strategic sales activity to drive customer satisfaction, identify growth opportunities and support the delivery of exceptional service. You will work closely with customers, partners and suppliers to build collaborative relationships that create mutual value and contribute to long-term business success.
Success in this role requires a commercially minded professional with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, strong problem-solving ability and the capability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment. The position offers significant customer engagement and may require occasional overseas travel to support key accounts and business objectives.
What you’ll be doing:
- Develop and maintain strategic key account relationships, building trusted partnerships that support long-term growth and customer success.
- Create and execute key account plans through stakeholder mapping, customer engagement and opportunity development.
- Identify customer needs, business opportunities, risks and mitigation strategies to strengthen account performance and retention.
- Engage directly with customers, partners and key stakeholders, acting as a trusted point of contact and advocate for the customer.
- Monitor, analyse and report on account performance, providing insight, progress updates and recommendations for growth.
- Coordinate cross-functional teams, including Product Line, Sales, Marketing and Bids, to ensure alignment and successful delivery of customer requirements.
- Conduct market and competitor analysis to identify industry trends, emerging opportunities and potential threats within key accounts.
What we’re looking for:
- Proven experience in sales, preferably within the UK and European defence sector.
- Strong knowledge of sales principles, techniques, and best practices.
- Proficiency in using sales management software and tools.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
Why join us?
- Early finish on Fridays
- Competitive salary and benefits package aligned with experience (Private Medical Insurance, Life Assurance, Cycle to work scheme, Company Pension, etc.)
- Clear pathways for career development and organisational visibility
- Inclusive and supportive culture that values individual contributions
- Meaningful work with impact across safety, innovation, and global operations
About Us:
James Fisher is a global engineering services company operating across Energy, Defence, and Maritime Transport. With a strong heritage in maritime operations, we now deliver innovative solutions in challenging environments. Our One James Fisher strategy is focused on building a unified, sustainable business within the Blue Economy, driving progress through technology, expertise, and collaboration.
Visit our website at: Home | James Fisher and Sons plc
For more information about our values and behaviours, follow the link: About us | James Fisher and Sons plc
James Fisher Defence (JFD), part of the James Fisher Group, is a global leader in underwater capability, delivering cutting-edge diving, submarine rescue, and hyperbaric solutions to both commercial and defence markets. Operating worldwide, JFD is the foremost provider of submarine rescue services and a trusted name in submarine escape training. We’re also at the forefront of hyperbaric rescue innovation and a leading supplier of advanced diving equipment and saturation systems across the industry. Explore more about JFD
If this sounds like the ideal next step in your career, then click ‘apply’ now!
Due to the volume of applications, we receive for our vacancies, on occasion applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.
At James Fisher and Sons, we are committed to taking positive action on diversity and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and recognise that our success is driven by the talent and diversity of our workforce.
To support an accessible and inclusive recruitment experience in the UK, we partner with Vercida. You can learn more about our approach by visiting our company page: James Fisher and Sons diversity, inclusion, culture - VERCIDA
