Account Manager

We're looking for an experienced Key Account Manager to join our Commercial team and play a pivotal role in nurturing and growing long-term customer partnerships. In this role, you'll work closely with some of our most strategic customers, deeply understanding their needs and ensuring they gain maximum value from working with Thatcham Research. You'll act as a trusted partner, balancing strong relationship management with commercial ownership, and collaborating closely with internal teams to deliver meaningful outcomes for our customers and the business. As the Key Account Manager, you'll:

• Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with key customer stakeholders, including senior decision-makers
• Develop and deliver strategic account plans aligned to customer objectives and organisational goals
• Identify and drive growth opportunities within existing accounts, including renewals, upsell and cross-sell
• Act as the primary point of contact for your accounts, managing escalations and ensuring excellent customer experience
• Lead commercial conversations including forecasting, pricing discussions, contract negotiations and renewals
• Own opportunities end-to-end, working closely with delivery, operations, product, finance and marketing teams
• Track and report on account performance, pipeline, KPIs and customer health metrics
• Capture all customer interactions, opportunities and account details accurately within the CRM
• Share customer insight and feedback internally to support continuous improvement and product development, Regular updates on the progress / outcome of your application
• An initial telephone screening call with a Talent Acquisition Partner
• First interview with the hiring manager, usually via Teams
• Second/Final interview, in-person at our office (we may give you a role specific task to present on!)
• Personalised feedback following your interview - because everyone deserves that!
• An opportunity to give us your honest feedback in a short survey on all of the above
Check out our post on using AI during your application and interview! We're committed to removing barriers. If there are any adjustments we can make to better support you, please let us know when you apply. All applicants must have Right to Work in the UK. If you're experiencing any issues with our career site or application from, please let us know here: careers@thatcham.org Department Commercial Delivery


• Proven experience in key account management, client relationship management or a similar commercial role
• Strong commercial acumen, with confidence managing complex accounts, contracts and financial metrics
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills, able to balance customer value with commercial outcomes
• Experience in account planning, forecasting and strategic growth planning
• Ability to build credibility and rapport with senior stakeholders, including C-suite level
• Confident communicator with strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
• Analytical and data-driven, with the ability to translate insight into action
• Comfortable working autonomously while collaborating with cross-functional teams
• High attention to detail and a structured approach to managing opportunities and accounts
• Experience using CRM systems such as Salesforce or Microsoft Dynamics
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed (desirable)
• Industry experience within automotive or repair sectors is beneficial but not essential
• Ability to speak Chinese is an advantage but not required
  
  At the cutting edge of automotive research in the UK, Thatcham Research has a unique role in shaping the design of new vehicles and influencing ever higher standards of safety, security and repair. With an on-site Crash Laboratory, Repair Technology Centre and Training Academy, our research expertise is driving some of the very latest automotive developments in technology, materials and standards in this fast moving and highly technical industry.
Our Gamston facility is one of the UK's leading sites for active safety, trialling and assessing the latest crash avoidance and driver assistance technologies. Our Values As an organisation that believes a strong set of Values are key to our organisational success and a sense of belonging for all colleagues, we ask that you understand, represent and apply our Values of Fearless, Inquisitive, Resourceful, Supportive and Trusted and demonstrate these Values throughout the recruitment process. Our Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace which values diversity and embraces each individual's authentic self. We are proud to champion a culture where colleagues freely share their diverse perspectives, recognising that these contribute to our innovative spirit. Our journey of growth and understanding is continuous as we actively invest in diversity training, workshops, and partnerships to ensure positive change. Beyond our partnerships with the Automotive 30% Club and Women in Data (WiD), we collaborate with various organisations to advance equity not only in gender but also across ethnicity, age, disability, social mobility, LGBTQ+ identities, experiences, and thinking. Our aspiration is to create an environment where everyone thrives, achieves, and experiences a genuine sense of belonging., About Thatcham Research With over five decades of experience in industry leading research and analysis, Thatcham Research is the UK's only not-for-profit automotive risk intelligence organisation. Focused on safety, security and sustainable repair, Thatcham Research is a key player in the global automotive industry. Founded in 1969 Co-workers 280 Commercial Delivery · Thatcham · Hybrid

Key Account Manager | Circa £45k base salary plus up to 30% performance-based OTE + excellent benefits | Permanent | Hybrid Key Account Manager | Circa £45k base salary plus up to 30% performance-based OTE + excellent benefits | Permanent | Hybrid |, Salary - Circa £45k base salary plus up to 30% performance-based OTE dependent on skills & experience.
• 10% non-contributory pension
• 29 days holiday (inclusive of Christmas shutdown) + public holidays
• Group Life Assurance (equal to 4 x basic salary)
• Group Income Protection (after 6 months' service)
• Salary Sacrifice schemes (cycle to work, home & tech scheme)
• Enhanced and competitive parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender or family structure
• Moneyhealth's Financial Coaching & Wellbeing Platform
• Health Cash Plan (cash back on eligible medical treatments)
• Benenden Health Care (opt-in benefit)
• Reward & Recognition Programme
• Discounted gym membership
• Sports & Social club
• Payroll charitable giving
• Subsidised on-site restaurant
• Free on-site parking
When we work Our standard working hours are 8:30 - 16:30 Monday - Thursday, early finish on Friday - 8:30 - 15:45 (Talk to us about flexible working if this doesn't quite suit you - we take work-life balance seriously!), Key Account Manager | Circa £45k base salary plus up to 30% performance-based OTE + excellent benefits | Permanent | Hybrid