Strategic Planning Director: Key accounts

Location: UK or Ireland

Employment Type: Full time, Hybrid or Remote (Depending on Location)

About Us

At IES, we value People, Purpose and Innovation. We offer a flexible and supportive working environment and the opportunity to work with a team of friendly, interesting and diverse people from across the globe who are passionate about what we do.

For 30+ years, we have built a solid reputation as the leading global innovator in integrated performance‑based analysis and are now home to the most advanced building‑physics analytics team in the world. Our software solutions and expert consultancy services empower designers, engineers, building owners and operators to deliver more efficient, comfortable and sustainable buildings through design, retrofit and operation. Our Research & Innovation team ensures our technology remains best‑in‑class and at the forefront of innovation.

The Role

The Strategic Planning Director: Key accounts is a senior, forward‑looking role focused on building deep strategic alignment between the business and its most important customers. Reporting directly to the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), this role operates at the intersection of customer strategy, product direction and commercial growth.

This is not an account management role. It is a strategic partnership function, focused on the medium‑to‑long‑term horizon: anticipating customer needs, influencing the product roadmap, and identifying commercial opportunities that deliver mutual value.

What You’ll Do

Strategic Account Planning

• Develop and maintain forward‑looking strategic plans for each key account, mapping customer business objectives, priorities and growth trajectories
• Identify alignment and gaps between customer strategic direction and IES’ current and future product capabilities
• Build a deep understanding of each customer’s industry landscape, competitive pressures and decision‑making dynamics
• Establish and nurture senior‑level relationships within key accounts, complementing day‑to‑day relationships managed by Account Owners
• Lead or co‑facilitate strategic business reviews and executive‑level conversations
• Act as a trusted advisor, providing insight and thought leadership
• Serve as the primary conduit between key accounts and the Product team
• Translate customer strategy into actionable insights and prioritised input
• Feed emerging trends, capability gaps and competitive signals into product strategy

Upsell & Commercial Growth

• Identify upsell and cross‑sell opportunities based on customer need and strategic fit
• Build commercially compelling growth narratives for each key account
• Work with Account Owners to develop and align account‑level growth plans

Internal Alignment & Collaboration

• Act as the internal voice of the key account customer
• Collaborate with Product, Marketing and Leadership to ensure customer insight informs planning
• Report regularly to the CCO on account health, alignment, opportunity and risk

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in strategic account management, business development or customer strategy roles (B2B)
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to build cases for growth
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, including at C‑suite level
• Ability to synthesize complex customer, market and product information
• Cross‑functional experience, particularly with Product teams
• Forward‑thinking, structured and strategic mindset

Why Join Us

• Work in an organisation driving global climate impact
• Shape strategic direction across our highest‑value customer partnerships
• Collaborate with global experts across sustainability, engineering and product
• High‑visibility, high‑impact role with strong autonomy
• Competitive salary, benefits and flexible working

Our Commitment to Inclusion

IES is committed to an inclusive workplace and welcomes applications from all backgrounds, even if you don’t meet every requirement listed. We can provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, for example, sharing interview questions in advance, allowing breaks between stages, or offering extra time where needed.