Global Key Account Director (Metro Detroit)
LIASE Group, Detroit, MI, United States
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.
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.