Strategic Account Director - Medical Device CDMO

At Nextern, we inspire with passion, impact with significance, and act with integrity.. Nextern partners with OEMs, clinicians, and innovators to design, develop, and manufacture world-class medical devices across the full product lifecycle. From single-use disposables to fully integrated systems to precision components, our teams work as an extension of yours to solve patient needs and improve lives worldwide.

The Strategic Account Director serves as the primary relationship owner and business steward for Nextern's high profile strategic customers. This roll 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.

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.
• This position does not directly supervise staff but may provide mentorship and guidance to Account Managers and other Customer Success team members.

• 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 required.
• 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.

Salary Range for This Position: $170,000 - $195,000 + Bonus

Nextern is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Paid Time Off, Personal Days, AND Birthday Holiday!
• Lifetime Membership Subsidy and Wellness Resources
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Taco Thursdays!!!

Nextern is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.