Critical Account lead

Candidate Opportunity Brief

Position: Critical Account lead

Ford & Stanley Executive Search (Part of the Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group) are a leading Executive search and talent advisory firm specialising in the following sectors:

Rail & Transportation
Civils & Construction
Manufacturing & Supply Chain
Technology & Cyber Security
Logistics & Intermodal Freight
Defence
Our search directors, search consultants and in house research team specialise in retained opportunities at the highest level of organisational leadership and management.

Our success is based upon a blend of trust-driven relationships, robust market knowledge, and working practices that ensure the best possible alignment of organisational need with experience and personal ambition.

Working with business leaders on bespoke assignments for over a decade, we understand exactly what our customers expect from an executive search and talent advisory service – whether there is a pressing business need for an executive interim or that of a long-term permanent appointment - Ford & Stanley Executive Search provide the solution.

We have been exclusively appointed by our client on a retained search for a Critical Account lead.

Below you will find a ‘Candidate Opportunity Brief’ developed from notes taken during the scoping meeting (Situational Discovery) held between the Senior consultant & Head of Executive Search at Ford & Stanley Executive search & Principal consultant at our client. 

This brief is designed to give candidates a deeper insight into the opportunity inherent within the role, the challenges the role presents, and provide access to the detail that sits behind the job specification.

Key deliverables within the first 12 months include:

Demonstrate a tangible pipeline worth in excess of £1m annually.
Develop a deep understanding of how the aviation account operates, including stakeholders, procurement cycles, and decision-making structures.
Position the aviation account for growth with the objective of developing it into a £5 - £10 million annual revenue account.
Essential Hard Skills (Skills & Experience)

Proven experience in account relationship management acting as a primary strategic advisor and bridge between client delivery and commercial management

Ability to engage with  Aviation client through a consultative approach, focusing on understanding their challenges and delivering meaningful value rather than simply selling a solution.

Proven ability to manage large scale accounts that mandate the requirement for complex relationships.

Previous experience in similar, project and engineering based environment from an account management perspective.

Experience working within an organisation that operates a high-value and low-volume sales cycle.

Desirable: Able to articulate their experience and ability surrounding conflict and dispute resolution.

Essential Soft Skills (Attributes & Behaviours)

Driven, ambitious and proactive in their approach.

Resilient and comfortable operating in challenging environments.

Strong communicator and able to manage multiple relationships.

Collaborative and keen to work closely with internal stakeholders.

Search timescale Agreement

Stage

Agreed Date

Situational Discovery (Role Scoping Meeting)

Completed - 24th July 2026

Timescale Agreement & Delivery Plan - Issued to Client

Completed - 27th July 2026

Candidate Opportunity Briefing Document – Client Sign Off

27th July 2026

Search ‘Go Live’

27th July 2026

Mid-Search Review / Progress Update Meeting with Client

5th August - This will be in the form of an email

Shortlist Presentation & Review Meeting with Client.

21st August

First Stage interviews between Candidates & Client.

Week commencing 24th August

Psychometric Assessment (If applicable)

N/A

Final Stage Interviews between Candidates & Client

Week commencing 7th September

Decision to offer successful candidate

14th September

Likely Candidate Start Date

Likely 3-month notice

Mid Notice Engagement Session between Candidate & Client

October 2026

Ford & Stanley Executive Search Pre-Submission Process:

First Engagement: A short engagement and introductory conversation to position the opportunity, gauge candidate early interest level and arrange a time and date for a more detailed discussion. NDA sent (if applicable) upon receipt of signed NDA - Candidate Opportunity Brief shared.

Candidate Discovery: An open, conversational and consultative discussion where candidates and executive search consultant explore and discuss the opportunity brief. Candidates are assessed on their suitability for the role in the context of the key essentials and challenged on how the opportunity lines up with their career aspirations, motivations, financial expectations and personal circumstance. The search consultant will utilise the information captured during candidate discovery to start to build your profile on suitability. Recommendations may be made at this point for adjustments or updates to your CV.

The ‘shortlist’: Shortlisted candidates, having taken time to reflect on the opportunity and undertake subsequent research on the clients business are reengaged where they are asked to provide additional specific information on their suitability (if/where applicable). Final checks of key notes, package details and logistical alignments made. Finishing touches are then made to your profile prior to submission along with our notes and recommendations.
Executive Search Delivery Team:

Tom Norton – Head of Executive Search: Client & Opportunity Management, Client Advisory, Recommendations & Offer Negotiation, Consulting, Headhunting.
Josh Winfield – Senior Consultant: Longlisting, Shortlisting, Networking, Research & Search, Interviews, Data & Market Intel & shortlist presentation.
Tilia Kozluk - Executive Assistant:Diary Management, Interview Coordination & Candidate Experience.

About Ford & Stanley Executive Search:

Please see supporting appendix: Executive Search Candidate Journey

Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is a Disability Confident employer that is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all opportunity seekers. We shall adhere to such a policy at all times and will review on an on-going basis all aspects of recruitment to avoid unlawful or undesirable discrimination. We will treat everyone equally irrespective sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief or political beliefs and we place an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy.

Services advertised by Ford & Stanley Executive Search are that of an executive search and talent advisory business