At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead key accounts and drive growth in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
- Company: Join Collinson, a global leader in travel experiences and customer engagement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse culture, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team focused on doing good beyond profit.
- Why this job: Make a real impact with high-profile clients in the financial services and travel sectors.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in managing strategic accounts and strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Collinson is the global, privately-owned company dedicated to helping the world to travel with ease and confidence. The group offers a unique blend of industry and sector specialists who together provide market-leading airport experiences, loyalty and customer engagement, and insurance solutions for over 400 million consumers. Collinson is the operator of Priority Pass, the world’s original and leading airport experiences programme. Travellers can access a network of 1,500+ lounges and travel experiences, including dining, retail, sleep and spa, in over 650 airports in 148 countries, helping to elevate the journey into something special.
We work with the world’s leading payment networks, over 1,400 banks, 90 airlines and 20 hotel groups worldwide. We have been bringing innovation to the market since inception – from launching the first independent global VIP lounge access Programme, Priority Pass to being the first to sell direct travel insurance in the UK through Columbus Direct and creating the first loyalty agency of its kind in the travel sector with ICLP. Today we still invest heavily in innovation to ensure that we continue to deliver superior customer experiences.
Key clients include Mastercard, American Express, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, LATAM, Flying Blue, Accor, EasyJet, HSBC, Chase, HDFC.
About the Role
We are looking for a commercially driven Senior Strategic Account Director to lead a portfolio of key accounts, including one of Europe's leading digital banking and payments platforms. In this role, you will own the strategy, growth, and day-to-day management of your accounts, building strong relationships with senior stakeholders and driving adoption, retention, and revenue growth. You will work closely with internal teams across Product, Operations, Finance, Data, and Marketing to deliver outstanding client outcomes and support long-term business growth.
What You'll Do
- Own the commercial performance and strategic direction of your accounts.
- Develop and execute account plans aligned to client objectives and business goals.
- Drive revenue growth, product adoption, and market share.
- Build trusted relationships with key client stakeholders and act as their primary point of contact.
- Lead strategic projects, ensuring clear scope, stakeholder alignment, and successful delivery.
- Conduct regular business reviews and provide data-driven recommendations.
- Support clients' product roadmaps and identify opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Collaborate with internal teams to resolve challenges and deliver exceptional service.
- Provide market insights and customer feedback to Product and Technical teams.
- Assess risks, manage escalations, and balance competing priorities to achieve results.
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience managing strategic accounts with revenues exceeding £50m.
- Experience within Financial Services, Payments, Banking, FinTech, or related sectors.
- Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
- Commercially astute with experience driving growth within existing accounts.
- Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities.
- Experience leading complex cross-functional projects.
- High level of numeracy and proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and Salesforce.
- Strategic mindset with the ability to translate plans into action.
Desirable
- Knowledge of customer loyalty, engagement, or travel-related products.
- Understanding of technology and trends shaping the payments and travel industries.
About You
You are a collaborative and proactive professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment. You can confidently influence senior stakeholders, manage complexity, and balance strategic thinking with operational delivery. Most importantly, you are passionate about building long-term client partnerships and delivering measurable business results.
If you're looking for an opportunity to work with high-profile clients and make a real commercial impact, we’d love to hear from you.
Our mission is focused on doing good beyond profit, which for us means we seek out opportunities for our people to share in our success and that we give back to the communities and people within which we work.
Never short of ambition, the success of our business is delivered through the diverse and talented team of over 2,200 global colleagues. Collinson is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes differences in all their forms including: colour, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, neurodivergence, family status, age, individuals with disabilities and people from all backgrounds, cultures and experiences as we strongly believe this contributes to our ongoing success.
We are focused on continually evolving our purpose driven, high performing culture, providing an environment where our people have the opportunity to achieve their full potential and do interesting and meaningful work. Our company values are: Take Action, Do the right thing, One team and Be insight led. These help guide everything we do internally in terms of how we think, act and interact, right through to how we deliver value to our customers and clients.
In your application, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example - she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc). If you need any extra support throughout the interview process, then please email us at ukrecruitment@collinsongroup.com.
Senior Account Director employer: Collinson
Collinson is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, empowering employees to thrive in their careers while making a meaningful impact in the travel industry. With a commitment to innovation and collaboration, team members enjoy opportunities for professional growth, competitive benefits, and the chance to work with prestigious clients across the globe. Located in a vibrant environment, Collinson values diversity and encourages a sense of belonging, ensuring that every employee can contribute to our mission of enhancing travel experiences for millions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Account Director
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Collinson. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Account Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Collinson.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Collinson's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Collinson
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Collinson.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Collinson will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Collinson employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
