Global Key Account Director

OVERVIEW:

• LIASE Group is a Global Executive Search firm performing this search out of its office in metro-Detroit, MI USA.
• Our Client is a Michigan based, privately-held, Tier I supplier in the global automotive manufacturing sector.
• Our Client ($1B+ sales) is profitable and highly respected in its specialized segment.
• Recognized in the industry for its advanced technology, product quality, engineering expertise, and strong customer relationships.

OPPORTUNITY:

• The Global Key Account Director will serve as the senior commercial leader responsible for transforming and accelerating the company's global relationship with OEM customers.
• This role carries both strategic commercial ownership and direct leadership responsibility for building a stronger, more capable global account organization.
• Success in this role requires a highly credible automotive commercial leader who can operate confidently at the executive level with the OEMs while simultaneously driving internal change, building stronger commercial processes, and instilling a more performance-oriented, growth and margin-focused mindset across the global account team.
• Lead a global team of seven reports across sales, account management, and program oversight. Actively coaches and develops direct reports, elevating the capabilities of the global account team.
• A leader who can challenge legacy practices, identify underperforming commercial positions, and implement structured recovery plans that strengthen profitability while protecting long-term customer partnerships.
• Act as the central architect of the global customer strategy—aligning regional commercial teams, engineering, operations, and finance around a unified growth agenda.
• Key role in evolving the organization’s commercial culture toward greater accountability, value-based selling, and proactive pursuit of new business opportunities across emerging vehicle platforms and technologies.

WHY IS THIS ROLE COMPELLING?

• The role offers direct visibility with executive leadership and the opportunity to influence enterprise-level strategy, including pricing frameworks, program governance, and global customer engagement models.
• The successful candidate will have the ability to build a stronger commercial culture, expand the company’s footprint with the OEM, and materially improve the profitability and long-term health of the account.
• For a commercially driven automotive leader, this position offers the opportunity to lead a global team of seven direct reports, operate directly with senior OEM decision-makers, and deliver measurable impact in both growth and margin recovery.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE:

The successful candidate will be a Globally experienced automotive commercial leader who has owned a major OEM relationship ($200M–$1B+) and is equally strong at:

1. Driving Performance:

• Proven track record of winning new platform business.
• Demonstrated success in margin recovery and pricing discipline.
• Comfortable pushing OEMs while preserving long-term relationships.

2. Building Teams (Critical Differentiator):

• Has led and upgraded a global team (7–15+ people).
• Actively develops talent, not just manages it.
• Has made tough talent decisions to raise performance.
• Builds a culture of accountability, ownership, and commercial rigor.

3. Operating Globally & Strategically:

• Experience aligning North America, Europe, and Asia.
• Thinks beyond current programs to future platforms and technologies.
• Strong cross-functional leader across engineering, operations, and finance.

4. Leadership Profile

• Executive presence with OEM senior leadership.
• Hands-on but strategic—not just a coordinator.
• Known for transforming teams and commercial performance, not maintaining status quo

ADDED REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering or Business, Engineering preferred.
• Master’s Degree preferred.
• Must live a commutable distance from a NW suburb of Detroit or willing to relocate.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 50 percent of the time.
• Must be either a U.S. citizen or have permanent residency.