Key Account Manager - West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Kirklees Council are advertising this role on behalf of West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority are seeking to appoint a Key Account Manager to join our Trade & Investment team.

It is an exciting time to be joining the Combined Authority, following the announcement that a £1.8bn devolution deal has been secured for West Yorkshire. Devolution will enable us to drive up living standards for local communities while tackling the climate emergency and help deliver our commitment to become a net zero carbon city region by 2038.

We bring together local councils and businesses, through the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) ensure that our work meets the needs of employers so that everyone in our region can benefit from economic prosperity supported by a modern, accessible transport network, housing and digital connections.

The Role:

Reporting into the Key Account Management Team Leader your key responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the Key Account Management team’s programme of activity of retaining and growing overseas owned businesses in the Leeds City Region as part of a contract with the Department for International Trade.
• Account managing your own portfolio of Leeds City Region based businesses, proactively developing in-depth relationships at a senior level, identifying investment projects, providing advice and connections to your clients and gathering quality business intelligence during your meetings.
• Providing key management information for the Key Account Management Team Leader to ensure the team delivers on its contractual obligations, including landing an agreed number of investment projects each financial year.

About You:

You will have the following key skills, attributes, education and experience:

• A degree or equivalent level experience, as well as direct experience in account management, business support or business consultancy
• Skilled in proactively securing meetings with existing and prospective clients and developing and maintaining relationships at a senior management level in multi-national companies.
• Strong communication skills and ability to actively question and listen in order to understand company issues and growth opportunities.
• Ability to solve problems creatively and experience of working to targets.
• Team player with experience of managing multiple projects and deadlines and in building stakeholder relationships.
• An understanding of the key sectors, business support and stakeholders in the Leeds City Region.

Our Offer:

Alongside a competitive salary, we offer an excellent benefits package including:

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Generous employer contribution pension scheme
• Fully funded travel in West Yorkshire on bus and rail with the MCard
• Flexible working practises with Health and Wellbeing initiatives to ensure you achieve the best work/life balance and career goals.

Applicants are advised that the Combined Authority is currently in consultation with employees and Trade Unions to review the Terms and Conditions of Employment and Staff Benefits.

The detail of the proposals for change, will be discussed with the successful candidate at the point of offer.

To Apply

If this sounds like your next role, please upload your CV to our online application form telling us why you would be a great fit for our role. Please visit www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk  for more information and details of how to apply. Please apply by 11:55pm on 05 August 2021.

Applicants with a disability are guaranteed an interview, subject to the minimum criteria being met.

The Combined Authority’s aim is to attract people from diverse backgrounds to build on our inclusive culture and represent the communities we serve.  We welcome applications from everyone regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

We are committed to inclusivity and will consider requests for flexible working including part time and job share arrangements.

Candidates will be notified of invitation to interview by e-mail and interviews will be carried out either by phone or video interview.

Please note that whilst it is our policy to recruit at SP1 for all appointments, which is the salary stated above, each role includes career salary progression, with incremental increases applicable in most cases, on an annual basis.

Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to every applicant. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Candidate information will be retained by the Combined Authority for six months unless you make a request for this to be deleted.