Customer Success-Strategic Account Director

Nextern•Maple Grove, MN

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Strategic Account Director (SAM) serves as the primary relationship owner and business steward for Nextern's high profile strategic customers. This role owns strategic direction, financial performance, and long-term growth of large, complex accounts carrying multi-million dollar revenue responsibility, spanning both new product development (NPD) programs and sustaining/production operations. The Strategic Account Director builds and sustains relationships with Sr. Director, VP, and C-Suite level customer stakeholders; aligns Operations, Quality, and R&D around account priorities; and proactively identifies risk before it reaches the customer. This role owns all customer contracts and forecasts accountability and represents the customer's perspective internally without losing sight of Company's interests.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred.
10+ years of customer-facing account management experience preferably working with large OEM customers in a CDMO/CMO or Medical Device contract manufacturing environment.
Proven experience managing complex, strategic customer accounts with multi-level stakeholder engagement.
Proven ability to build and sustain relationships with Sr. Director, VP and C-Suite level customer stakeholders.
Experience spanning both new product development (NPD) programs and sustaining operations.
Working knowledge of commercial contracts, SOWs, and milestone-based agreements in a manufacturing services context.
Demonstrated ability to influence without authority and lead cross-functional teams.
Strong business acumen; ability to analyze financials, forecasts, and KPIs.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including executive-level presentations.
Skilled in strategic planning, problem solving, and managing competing priorities.
High level of initiative, ownership, and accountability.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as the executive-level liaison for assigned strategic accounts, ensuring a deep understanding of customer business priorities and long-term objectives.
Develop and advance multi-level relationships with key decision-makers and influencers.
Own the account strategy and annual plan for revenue expansion.
Lead and facilitate quarterly and annual strategic business reviews, KPI reporting, and performance alignment sessions.
Build and maintain comprehensive multi-year account strategies, including growth, margin improvement, risk mitigation, and innovation opportunities.
Own and manage all contracts, including terms, milestones, and renewal timelines.
Understand the financial implications of decisions, including margin impact, resource allocation, and risk exposure.
Maintain active ownership of the forecast relationship and hold the customer accountable to it.
Identify opportunities and build a strategic case for vertical integration and product expansion.
Develop and present business reviews and strategic proposals to senior leadership.
Prepare and deliver executive-level presentations to both internal and customer leadership.
Align and mobilize Operations, Quality, and R&D teams around account priorities.
Act as the voice of the customer in strategic planning, resource allocation, and operational prioritization discussions.
Monitor the overall status of product development and manufacturing transfer programs to ensure customer expectations are met.
Identify program risks early, drive resolution plans, and present mitigation strategies to both internal leadership and customers.
Actively assist with escalations related to customer performance obligations.
Perform additional duties as assigned by management.