Key Account Manager | Circa £45k base salary plus up to 30% performance‑based OTE + excellent benefits | Permanent | Hybrid | 

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
  

Skills & experience that will set you up for success in this role:

• 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

Did you know...

Research tells us that men are more likely to apply to jobs if they meet only 60% of the criteria, whereas women often hesitate or don't apply unless they meet all of the criteria. This difference in application behaviour can contribute to the gender gap in career advancement and opportunities.

We know the perfect candidate doesn't exist! If you think you have what it takes but don't tick every box, we'd still encourage you to apply - it could be a perfect fit!

Perks & Benefits

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!)

How we work

We understand the benefits of remote and in-person collaboration and therefore have a hybrid working model – you’ll be expected to work from our office in Thatcham at least two days per week.

What we do

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.

Recruitment process

We’re proud to manage our recruitment in-house and believe this direct approach enables us to give you the best possible Employee Experience we can – which starts right here, your application! We’re continuously striving to improve the candidate journey, and transparency (or communication) is a key area of focus – yes, even with salary & benefits.

What can you expect from our recruitment process?

• 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 ⁠