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- Tasks: Manage client relationships and drive business success in the cruise industry.
- Company: Harding+ is a leading innovator in onboard cruise retailing, recognised for outstanding customer service.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, bonuses, healthcare, and 26 days leave.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team that values collaboration and offers opportunities for growth and travel.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in account management and senior leadership roles required.
- Other info: Harding+ champions diversity and prioritises employee privacy and data security.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Can you develop and maintain strong professional relationships with clients, partners, and industry contacts to drive business success? Are you passionate about creating highly engaged and collaborative relationships with key stakeholders? If so, this role could be a perfect challenge!
About the role:
The Account Director is responsible for proactively managing the relationship with the Cruise Lines; they are the interface between Harding+ and the Cruise Line partner. You will manage the relationship ensuring positive outcomes and minimising renewal risks. With a strong commercial mindset, you’ll identify new business opportunities, support contract tenders, and oversee strategic initiatives such as new ship launches and refurbishments. The ideal candidate will have excellent relationship-building skills, a keen eye for guest experience, and the ability to collaborate across teams to drive business growth. The role is based in Avonmouth and offered on a hybrid working basis – 2/3 days per week. You will also be required to travel nationally and internationally.
Compensation – competitive salary, car allowance, bonus scheme, mobile allowance, pension, 4 x life assurance, healthcare, 26 days leave (including Christmas shutdown).
About you:
- Significant retail experience in a Senior Leadership sales and/or Business Development role.
- Significant experience in account management with a focus on managing and nurturing client relationships.
- Experience in developing and implementing strategic plans for clients.
- Proven negotiation skills with a track record of securing advantageous outcomes whilst minimising risk.
- Consistent delivery with the ability to inspire others to perform to their full potential onboard.
- An appetite and ability for cross-functional working and planning to ensure strategy and initiatives are delivered.
- Able to change style to best fit with others and work collaboratively with peer group.
- History of delivery in a relevant and high-pressurised environment where consistent execution with high levels of customer service is paramount.
- Influencing skills at a senior level with a one business mentality, needs to develop trust and faith of key decision makers.
- Have presence and gravitas able to influence and engage others in the Harding+ vision.
Key Attributes – trust, collaboration, respect, passion, drive, resilience.
About us:
Harding+ is leading the way in innovative onboard cruise retailing, working closely with our cruise line partners and brand partners to ‘make every cruise better’. We stay at the forefront of retailing and consistently provide outstanding customer service, culminating in winning the Cruise Retailer of the Year award for 2022 and 2023. Harding+ is an equal opportunities employer. We believe passionately that employing a diverse workforce is central to our success. We make recruiting decisions based on your experience and skills. We value your passion to discover, invent, simplify, and build. Protecting your privacy and the security of your data is a longstanding top priority for Harding+.
Contact Detail:
Harding Retail Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Account Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network actively within the cruise industry. Attend relevant events, conferences, and trade shows to meet potential clients and partners. Building these connections can give you an edge in understanding the market and identifying opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Research Harding+ thoroughly. Understand our values, recent achievements, and strategic initiatives. This knowledge will help you tailor your conversations and demonstrate your genuine interest in contributing to our vision.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your relationship-building skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed client relationships in the past. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you've used to nurture these connections and drive business growth.
✨Tip Number 4
Be prepared to discuss your experience with cross-functional collaboration. Highlight instances where you've worked with different teams to achieve a common goal, as this is crucial for the Account Director role at Harding+.
We think you need these skills to ace Account Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your significant retail experience and account management skills. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to build and maintain client relationships, as well as your success in strategic planning.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and how your background aligns with the key attributes mentioned in the job description. Emphasise your negotiation skills and your experience in high-pressure environments.
Showcase Relevant Achievements: Include quantifiable achievements in your application that reflect your ability to drive business growth and secure advantageous outcomes. This could be through successful contract tenders or new business opportunities you've identified.
Prepare for Interviews: If invited for an interview, prepare to discuss how you would manage relationships with clients and partners. Be ready to provide examples of how you've collaborated across teams and influenced senior decision-makers in previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Harding Retail
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
As an Account Director, your ability to develop and maintain strong professional relationships is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've successfully built rapport with clients and partners in the past, highlighting specific outcomes that resulted from these relationships.
✨Demonstrate Your Commercial Mindset
Be ready to discuss your experience in identifying new business opportunities and managing contracts. Think of instances where you’ve successfully negotiated terms or secured advantageous outcomes while minimising risks, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration
The role requires collaboration across teams, so be prepared to share examples of how you've worked effectively with different departments. Highlight your adaptability and how you’ve influenced others to achieve common goals, especially in high-pressure situations.
✨Exhibit Your Passion for Customer Service
Harding+ values outstanding customer service, so convey your commitment to enhancing guest experiences. Share stories that illustrate your dedication to customer satisfaction and how it has positively impacted your previous roles.
