Ericsson is a global leader in communications technology and services. Through our Mission Critical Networks (MCN) organization, we enable governments, public safety agencies, defence organizations, and critical infrastructure providers to transform their operations through secure, resilient, and innovative communications solutions.
As 5G and mission-critical broadband technologies reshape the way public safety and defence organizations operate, Ericsson is uniquely positioned to support digital transformation, operational effectiveness, and national resilience.
Role Purpose
The Key Account Manager (KAM) for Defence & Public Safety, United Kingdom, is responsible for securing short- and long-term profitable business growth through proactive business development, strategic customer engagement, and effective management of Ericsson resources. The role requires a deep understanding of the UK Defence and Public Safety ecosystem and a strong ability to build trusted executive-level relationships across government, armed forces, emergency services, security agencies, and associated industry stakeholders.
The KAM is accountable for driving sales performance, profitability, customer satisfaction, and long-term business growth while positioning Ericsson as a strategic partner and thought leader in mission-critical communications and digital transformation.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Business Development
- Develop and execute the long-term account strategy for the UK Defence and Public Safety sector.
- Identify, qualify, and secure short-, medium-, and long-term business opportunities that drive sustainable growth and market leadership.
- Position Ericsson as a trusted advisor and technology leader in mission-critical communications, defence communications, secure networks, private networks, and public safety broadband solutions.
- Collaborate with the EMEA Mission Critical Networks Business Development organization to shape opportunities and accelerate market growth.
Customer and Stakeholder Leadership
- Establish and maintain executive relationships with key customers, government agencies, defence organizations, emergency services, system integrators, and industry partners.
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of customer strategies, operational challenges, procurement processes, and transformation priorities.
- Act as Ericsson's executive sponsor for strategic engagements across the Defence and Public Safety portfolio.
- Drive customer satisfaction, loyalty, and long-term partnership development.
Sales and Commercial Management
- Deliver orders, sales, profitability, and cash flow targets for the assigned portfolio.
- Own and govern sales opportunities, business cases, and commercial proposals from opportunity identification through contract closure.
- Lead negotiations in both public sector procurement environments and commercial contract discussions.
- Ensure effective management of working capital, contractual commitments, and commercial risk.
- Coordinate cross-functional bid teams and ensure alignment of all Ericsson resources supporting the customer.
Market Leadership and Industry Engagement
- Monitor market developments, competitive activities, procurement programmes, and policy changes affecting the UK Defence and Public Safety sectors.
- Represent Ericsson at industry events, customer forums, defence exhibitions, and public safety conferences.
- Influence strategic market direction through thought leadership and engagement with key ecosystem stakeholders.
- Contribute to Ericsson's growth strategy for Mission Critical Networks across the UK and wider EMEA region.
Leadership and Team Development
- Lead and inspire diverse virtual and cross-functional teams supporting strategic customer engagements.
- Coach and develop high-performing teams and foster collaboration across sales, solutioning, delivery, legal, finance, and business development functions.
- Promote Ericsson's values, ethics, and commitment to health, safety, and well-being.
Qualifications and Experience
Required Experience
- Minimum 10 years of successful sales, account management, or business development experience within Defence, Public Safety, Mission Critical Communications, Government, Security, or Critical Infrastructure sectors.
- Proven track record of securing and managing complex strategic accounts and large-scale transformational programmes.
- Experience leading major public sector procurement and competitive tender processes.
- Demonstrated success in driving profitable business growth and achieving challenging commercial objectives.
- Strong understanding of the UK Defence and Public Safety landscape, including relevant customer organizations, procurement frameworks, and industry ecosystem.
Knowledge and Competencies
- Deep understanding of mission-critical communication solutions, private wireless networks, critical communications broadband, 4G/5G technologies, and digital transformation initiatives.
- Strong commercial acumen, negotiation expertise, and consultative selling capabilities.
- Exceptional stakeholder management and executive relationship-building skills.
- Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to influence at senior executive and government levels.
- Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills in complex matrix organizations.
Education
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering, Telecommunications, Business Administration, Defence Studies, or a related discipline.
- Advanced business or leadership qualifications are advantageous.
Critical Success Factors
The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to:
- Develop long-term business and strategic partnerships.
- Generate profitable growth and deliver sustainable business results.
- Build trusted executive relationships and maximize customer loyalty.
- Lead complex negotiations and strategic pursuits.
- Influence market direction and establish Ericsson as the partner of choice in Defence and Public Safety.
- Lead and develop high-performing teams across a matrix organization
Why join Ericsson?At Ericsson, you'll have an outstanding opportunity. The chance to use your skills and imagination to push the boundaries of what's possible. To build solutions never seen before to some of the world's toughest problems. You'll be challenged, but you won't be alone. You'll be joining a team of diverse innovators, all driven to go beyond the status quo to craft what comes next.
What happens once you apply? Click Here to find all you need to know about what our typical hiring process looks like.Encouraging a diverse and inclusive organization is core to our values at Ericsson, that's why we champion it in everything we do. We truly believe that by collaborating with people with different experiences we drive innovation, which is essential for our future growth. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply and realize their full potential as part of our Ericsson team. Ericsson is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. learn more.
Primary country and city: United Kingdom (GB) || Reading
Req ID: 791725
Skills Required
- Minimum 10 years of successful sales, account management, or business development experience in Defence, Public Safety, Mission Critical Communications, Government, Security, or Critical Infrastructure sectors.
- Proven track record managing complex strategic accounts and large-scale transformational programmes.
- Experience leading major public-sector procurement and competitive tender processes.
- Demonstrated success driving profitable business growth and achieving challenging commercial objectives.
- Strong understanding of the UK Defence and Public Safety landscape, customer organizations, procurement frameworks, and industry ecosystem.
- Deep understanding of mission-critical communications, private wireless networks, critical communications broadband, 4G/5G technologies, and digital transformation.
- Strong commercial acumen, negotiation expertise, and consultative selling capabilities.
- Exceptional stakeholder management and executive relationship-building skills.
- Strategic thinking, analytical and problem-solving abilities, and ability to influence senior executive and government stakeholders.
- Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills in complex matrix organizations.
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Telecommunications, Business Administration, Defence Studies, or a related discipline.
- Advanced business or leadership qualifications.
What the Team is Saying
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What We Do
Ericsson builds the digital connectivity the world relies on. Our technology underpins the mobile networks, platforms, and systems that billions of people, businesses, and societies depend on every day. We are a global leader in communications technology, delivering mobile network infrastructure, cloud software, and wireless connectivity solutions for service providers and enterprises worldwide. Our networks support connectivity across 180+ countries, helping power everyday communication as well as critical digital services at global scale. Connectivity has evolved far beyond consumer mobile use. Today, nearly 80% of the world’s population accesses the internet via mobile networks, and Ericsson is helping shape what comes next. We are advancing 5G and 5G Advanced, developing network APIs that open connectivity to the global developer ecosystem, and applying automation and AI to make networks more intelligent, efficient, and resilient. Ericsson was the first company to launch live 5G networks on five continents, and our 5G platform is now commercially live in 150+ networks across 60+ countries. We also support more than 36,000 enterprise customers, enabling secure, high-performance connectivity for industries such as manufacturing, aviation, logistics, utilities, and public safety, where reliability and performance are mission critical. Innovation is central to how we work. Ericsson has approximately 28,000 employees in research and development, backed by one of the strongest intellectual property portfolios in the industry with 60,000+ granted patents. Our engineers, researchers, and technologists work across 100+ global R&D sites, helping define how networks evolve and how digital infrastructure is built for the long term. As the world moves toward a mobile-first, AI-powered, and cloud-driven future, connectivity becomes the foundation for digital transformation across every industry. Ericsson is building that foundation, shaping the future of digital connectivity through technology that operates at global scale and supports real-world impact, today and for what comes next.
Why Work With Us
Ericsson is a place for people who want to work on technology that powers everyday life. You’ll contribute to large-scale systems used every day, tackle complex challenges in live environments, and keep developing your skills and career in your own vision.
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