Account Manager, AM Core & AN

Role overview

Join Nokia’s Sales organization across Eastern and Central Africa as an Account Manager focused on Kenya and broader East Africa. This position covers the MI portfolio, with emphasis on CNS, as well as the NI portfolio, supporting customers in the CSP and enterprise segments. The role combines account growth, new business development, and cross-functional coordination to deliver strong customer outcomes and revenue growth.

You will work closely with pre-sales and delivery teams, and the role includes both office collaboration and direct customer engagement on site. It offers exposure to a broad range of projects, from strengthening existing accounts to developing new opportunities, in a team-oriented environment that values innovation and problem-solving.

Key responsibilities

• Grow and manage relationships with existing CSP and enterprise customers while delivering against sales targets.
• Identify, develop, and convert new business opportunities using market insight and professional networks.
• Partner with sales and pre-sales specialists to drive larger opportunities and contribute as a collaborative team member.
• Engage with senior decision-makers at customer organizations and build trusted relationships.
• Operate independently within agreed guidelines while applying industry best practices to achieve strong results.
• Use analytical thinking to spot issues and improve processes within your area of responsibility.
• Contribute fresh ideas that can help shape future operating approaches and improvements.
• Mentor junior colleagues and help build a supportive, knowledge-sharing team culture.
• Lead sales activity across the MI portfolio, especially CNS, and the NI portfolio in East Africa.
• Develop a strong understanding of customer strategies, market trends, and digital infrastructure priorities in the region.
• Shape, qualify, and progress opportunities by aligning Nokia offerings to customer business and technology needs.
• Create and execute account plans aimed at revenue growth and market expansion.
• Maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders across technical, operational, and commercial functions.
• Manage the sales pipeline with discipline and accuracy in CRM systems.
• Run complex sales cycles involving multiple stakeholders through negotiation and contract finalization.
• Work with regional and global teams to build competitive sales approaches and winning proposals.
• Coordinate with pre-sales, solutioning, and partner teams to deliver differentiated, value-based solutions.
• Collaborate with delivery and operations teams to align execution, manage risks, and support customer satisfaction.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, Business, or a related discipline.
• At least 10 years of experience in account management and solution selling within telecom and/or IT.
• Strong understanding of mobile networks, digital infrastructure, and automation.
• Solid knowledge of mobile and fixed network environments, especially in emerging markets.
• Demonstrated history of consistently achieving or exceeding sales targets.
• Experience working with partners and ecosystems in large transformation initiatives is preferred.
• Ability to use CRM tools such as Salesforce and Microsoft Office effectively.
• Strong written and spoken English; additional regional language ability is an advantage.
• High standards of integrity, ownership, accountability, and professionalism.
• Ability to apply consultative and challenger selling approaches to influence customers with insight and value.
• Capability to manage stakeholders in complex organizations and engage senior leaders.
• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, and storytelling skills.
• Experience leading virtual, cross-functional teams across pre-sales, delivery, and product groups.
• Results-focused mindset with the ability to work well under pressure.
• Commercial awareness, including understanding of pricing, contracts, and business cases.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to build and execute long-term account plans.
• Background in solution selling, including bids, pricing, and contract negotiations.

Additional information

The shortlisted candidate’s job grade will be determined after the interview assessment.

Work arrangement

This is a full-time onsite role in Kenya. The source text also describes a hybrid setup with Nokia office collaboration and on-site customer visits.

Portfolio focus

The role supports customers across Eastern and Central Africa, with activity concentrated in Kenya and East Africa, covering the MI portfolio with a focus on CNS and the NI portfolio.

Growth and culture

This position offers the chance to work on diverse sales initiatives, strengthen long-term customer relationships, and contribute to business growth in a collaborative environment with room for professional development.