Account & Programmes Manager

Account & Programmes Manager

Location:  Remote with travel throughout the UK

Department: Avant Consult

Contract type:  Permanent

About the role 

We’re looking for an Account & Programmes Manager to join our team and play a key role in being responsible for the day-to-day oversight of key vehicle manufacturer Body & Paint programmes, acting as the customer's primary point of contact and owning delivery of the contract against agreed KPIs and SLAs.  The role directs and manages internal operational and project teams to deliver the programme objectives, while identifying opportunities to grow the account through additional business and revenue development activity.

Activate Group is a growing UK business with 1,000+ team members nationwide. This is an exciting opportunity to build a long-term career with a company that values its people and offers genuine development and progression opportunities. 

Key responsibilities 

Account & Contract Management

• Act as the lead point of contact and account owner for the vehicle manufacturer Body & Paint programmes, managing the relationship across all levels of the customer organisation.

• Responsible for delivery of overall contract performance, ensuring delivery against agreed KPIs, SLAs and commercial terms.
• Lead regular account and contract performance reviews with the customer and internal stakeholders.
• Monitor programme performance, resolve escalations and drive continuous improvement across the account.

Team Management

• Direct and coordinate cross-functional operational teams to ensure the programme is delivered on time, to specification and within budget.
• Set clear performance expectations for delivery teams and hold them accountable for programme outcomes.
• Act as the escalation point for delivery issues, ensuring timely resolution and clear communication with the customer.

Relationship Management

• Build, manage and strengthen long-term relationships with key stakeholders across the vehicle manufacturer account.
• Act as a trusted commercial partner, consistently demonstrating Avant’s value proposition and technical expertise.
• Professionally represent the business at client meetings, industry events and commercial forums.

Programme & Business Development

• Identify opportunities to expand the scope of the existing and future programmes and introduce new value-added services within the account.
• Support development of commercial proposals, programme extensions and business cases for the account.
• Contribute to the wider Automotive Division growth strategy through account-based development activity.

Skills and experience 

• Proven experience in an account management, contract management or programme management role within the automotive sector, ideally supporting a vehicle manufacturer body & paint programme.
• Demonstrable track record of managing contract performance against agreed KPIs and SLAs.
• Experience developing customer-focused, differentiated and commercially viable solutions.
• Proven ability to lead and direct multi-disciplinary operational, technical and project teams to achieve contracted outcomes.
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels, including senior leadership and Board members.
• Highly motivated, proactive and commercially minded with strong initiative.
• High standard of written communication, grammar, and document production.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, statistics, and performance metrics.
• Excellent IT skills, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. You may be required to perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organisation.

Benefits 

We believe in rewarding our people for the great work they do. When you join Activate Group, you can expect: 

• 33 days holiday, including bank holidays 

• Personal health cash plan – claim back the cost of everyday healthcare such as dental and optical check-ups 

• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental pay 

• Life assurance at three times your basic salary 

• Free breakfasts and fresh fruit 

• A birthday surprise for everyone  

What you can expect from us 

At Activate Group, we want everyone to have the tools and support they need to do their best work. We’re an innovative business that continuously reviews and improves our systems, processes and ways of working, making sure they support our teams to do their jobs effectively. 

Every role at Activate Group is aligned to our wider business vision and purpose – making someone’s bad day better. You’ll understand how your role contributes to the bigger picture and how your work helps deliver excellent outcomes for customer and partners. 

We believe work should be enjoyable. We make time to celebrate success, recognise achievements and bring people together at team events and company-wide celebrations. We’ll also support your ongoing development through regular feedback and career planning. 

Whether you’re based in one of our contact centres in Halifax, Peterborough or Huddersfield, working at an Activate Accident Repair (AAR) site, or working from home, you’ll be part of a supportive culture where people are encouraged to succeed. 

A bit about us 

Activate Group is a fast-growing business approaching 1,000 team members nationwide. 

We work with some of the UK’s largest fleets and insurance companies, supporting drivers that have been involved in road incidents through our contact centres in Halifax, Peterborough and Huddersfield. 

We manage every step of the repair journey - repairing vehicles at our own Activate Accident Repair (AAR) body shops, as well as through a UK-wide network of trusted independent repair partners. 

We also work with the UK’s largest vehicle manufacturers, supporting their approved repair programmes, and deliver innovative technology solutions to fleets, vehicle repair centres and dealerships. 

Our purpose & values 

Our purpose underpins everything we do: Make someone’s bad day better 

Our values define how we work with our team members, customers and suppliers: 

• Make it happen – Be accountable. Take the initiative, work fast, and do a great job. 

• Strive for better – Be bold. Challenge the norm - make small improvements often. 

• Win together – Be a team player. Win together, learn together, respect each other.