At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global account management and shape commercial strategies for iconic brands.
- Company: Join Pernod Ricard, a leader in premium spirits with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy private medical insurance, lifestyle perks, and discounts on our brands.
- Other info: Embrace a diverse and inclusive culture that values your unique contributions.
- Why this job: Make a global impact while fostering meaningful partnerships in travel retail.
- Qualifications: Senior-level experience in global account management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
Pernod Ricard is a world leader in premium spirit and champagnes. Our iconic brands Absolut, Jameson, Chivas Regal, Havana Club, Kahlua, Beefeater, Martell, Mumm Perrier-Jouët and many more are enjoyed in over 160 countries across the globe. We are a company with a soul, rooted in heritage, guided by family values, and committed to growing our brands responsibly. With 19,000 employees worldwide, we empower people to thrive, foster meaningful connections, and bring our culture of inclusivity, purpose, and authentic conviviality to life.
About Global Travel Retail
Pernod Ricard’s Global Travel Retail (GTR) division is one of the Group’s largest markets, bringing our world‑renowned brands to life across airports, border shops, cruise ships and other travel channels worldwide. With a footprint in more than 20 locations and over 30 nationalities represented, we are proud of a culture built on inclusion, collaboration, and a shared passion for travel’s ability to connect and inspire.
About the Role
Reporting to the European Commercial Director, as Head of Global Accounts within Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail, you will shape the commercial strategy for one of the organisation’s most influential and dynamic channels: airports. This is a high‑visibility, high‑impact leadership role at the centre of our global commercial engine, ideal for someone who thrives on building meaningful partnerships, delivering results, and inspiring teams.
You will lead a team of 4 talented direct Key Account Manager direct reports, fostering a culture rooted in performance, collaboration, and our shared belief in the “transformative power of travel”. Working hand‑in‑hand with Customer Marketing, Finance, Operations, and regional commercial teams across GTR and Europe, you will ensure that our brands shine in some of the most vibrant retail environments in the world.
If you’re energised by global influence, strategic leadership, and the chance to elevate iconic brands in a truly international setting, this role is for you.
What’s involved?
In this role, you will spearhead Pernod Ricard’s commercial strategy with three of the world’s most critical global travel retail partners, based in Europe, with global impact.
- Strategic Leadership & Customer Management
- Own and lead global trade term negotiations with major international accounts, building long-lasting, strategic partnerships.
- Act as the single global point of contact for key customers, ensuring seamless collaboration both internally and externally.
- Develop and execute global strategies and annual plans, aligning priorities and performance goals across all regions.
- Cross-Functional & Regional Alignment
- Coordinate and influence key internal stakeholders—commercial teams, finance, operations, customer marketing, IT, and more—to ensure unified global execution.
- Lead the global novelty listing process, driving alignment with regional teams and ensuring speed to market.
- Brand & Portfolio Development
- Champion the growth of Pernod Ricard’s brands internationally, ensuring alignment with our global strategy.
- Shape portfolio strategy based on shopper insights, global trends, and channel performance.
- Leverage digital touchpoints to enhance consumer engagement and elevate the shopper journey.
- Performance, Insights & Financial Accountability
- Deliver robust business performance through continuous performance analysis and opportunity identification.
- Closely monitor competitor activity to anticipate challenges and design winning responses.
- Oversee full volume and P&L management for your accounts, ensuring strong financial discipline.
- Provide accurate budgets and forecasts aligned with corporate planning cycles.
- Lead, mentor, and develop your direct reports, enabling a high‑performing, commercially excellent team.
- Foster a positive, inclusive, and forward‑thinking team culture built on trust, ambition, and conviviality.
About You
- A proven track record operating at a senior level in global account management within Travel Retail.
- Exceptional communication and people leadership skills.
- Experience in the spirits or wider consumer goods industry is preferred.
- Highly credible with customers, with a deep knowledge of travel retail, duty‑free channels, or global key accounts.
- Strong leadership capability: able to lead and inspire across geographies and cultures.
- Strong ability to work closely with cross‑functional teams, based across the globe.
- Commercially sharp, strategically minded and strong in negotiation.
- Confident, direct communicator with the ability to say “no” when needed.
- Fluent in English; Spanish is highly beneficial.
- Resilient, grounded, and mature and able to manage complexity and stakeholders with ease.
Our mix of benefits
For your health, we offer private medical insurance, critical illness cover, a health cash plan and dental insurance. Our lifestyle benefits include your employee pension, share incentive plan, family care, seasons ticket loans, gadget insurance, free mortgage advice, payroll giving and more! You can access lots of gifts & discounts, including £444 each year to spend on our brands in our staff shop, gifts on your marriage and birth of a child and employee discounts from a range of high street retailers. We take our conviviality seriously: we have weekly events in our very own office bar, regular sports classes and a variety of tools and resources to help you focus on your wellbeing.
Conviviality: the Pernod Ricard Way
We have our own way of doing things. We call it conviviality! It’s our way of being, and something unique you feel and experience when working for Pernod Ricard. We’re committed to conviviality, and with this, you’ll be Proud to Belong to our Pernod Ricard family. You’ll be Empowered to Perform, supported to succeed, and acknowledged for the value you bring. We combine all this with our Commitment to Care: we are unlocking the magic of human connection to transform our industry and make a positive impact on the world though our strong focus on sustainability and responsibility.
We’re committed to diversity and inclusion
People are at the heart of everything we do at Pernod Ricard and are the foundation of our collective spirit as ‘Créateurs de Convivialité’. We promote diversity and inclusion throughout our business and supply chain. In our teams, we proactively foster a diverse work force and an inclusive culture – an environment where we can truly be ourselves. We will assess your application for this role based on your skills, experiences and achievements, not your gender, age, ethnic or educational background or any other such factors. Please feel free to leave these off your CV and application form if you so wish. Similarly, if you would like to discuss opportunities for flexible working or require accommodations or support to complete our application process, please let us know.
Head of Global Accounts in London employer: Pernod Ricard SA
Pernod Ricard SA is an attractive employer due to its commitment to inclusivity and professional growth. Employees benefit from a collaborative culture and opportunities to thrive within a globally recognized brand portfolio. The company's focus on responsible brand management further enhances its appeal as a workplace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Global Accounts in London
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Head of Global Accounts at Pernod Ricard SA!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Pernod Ricard SA or be willing to refer you for that Head of Global Accounts position!
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Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Pernod Ricard SA who’s on the lookout for their next Head of Global Accounts star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Head of Global Accounts role at Pernod Ricard SA!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Global Accounts in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Pernod Ricard SA. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pernod Ricard SA
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Pernod Ricard SA. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
