Senior Account Manager - Partnerships

We are looking for an accomplished and confident individual to take ownership of Clipper Race partnerships portfolio leading on account management of Tier 1 Partners.

• Adventures and international travel with the Clipper Race stopovers
• South coast HQ office [PO12 1FX]
• Aimed at someone at wanting to take the next step in leading a team
• Full time permanent role with a salary of £45,000 - £48,000

United by the desire for adventure, ambition, limitless boundaries and sailing excellence, the Clipper Ventures brands enable extraordinary sailing experiences by making them accessible, safe and human.

Established in 1995, Clipper Ventures has grown significantly over the past 27 years, with a complementary range of sailing brands within its portfolio that supports pathways for recreational adventurers with no previous sailing experience through to professional seafarer.

Today, Clipper Ventures encompasses our flagship brand the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and our growing pillars; Clipper Events, SKIRR Adventures, Hamble School of Yachting and Clipper China.

CLIPPER RACE

This is a race without equal; one of the biggest challenges of the natural world and an endurance test like no other. The Clipper Race is a powerful blend of fiercely intense competition and stirring human endeavour. We aren’t afraid to compete and push boundaries - the world’s longest yacht race enables individuals to pit their wits, skills and courage against the toughest oceans, with no previous sailing experience required.

This momentous biennial event is born from crew with a thirst for a life changing adventure, believing that anything is possible as they navigate the Doldrums en route to South America, endure epic Southern Ocean storms, experience South African sunsets, face the mountainous seas of the North Pacific - and create lifelong memories before returning as heroes.

The race is everything; it’s exciting, uncomfortable, exhilarating and at times frustrating. Since 1996 the Clipper Race has developed over 5,000 people into competent ocean racers and built a reputation for showcasing brands and building international trade links between partners and host destinations.

THE ROLE

The Clipper Race is looking for a thoughtful, committed and established Senior Account Manager to join a growing and dynamic team to manage a diverse range of Tier 1 partnership accounts. The role is also responsible for the planning and implementation of Host Port stopovers.

This role will be responsible for some of our most important projects and partnerships in the Clipper 2023-24 Race (and beyond), so we’re looking for someone that has high expectations of themselves and the team.

The successful candidate will report into the Managing Director and will be actively involved in constantly evaluating the partnerships offering whilst also delivering acute attention to detail to ensure that client servicing is delivered to its utmost.

The role will require moderate international travel for 2-3 weeks at a time during the race year in line with Clipper Race stopovers. The rest of the time the role will be UK based at Clipper Race’ HQ office [PO12 1FX].

Key responsibilities:

• Be accountable for the day to day running of multiple Tier 1 accounts [Team Partners and Host Ports] across the race partnership portfolio. These are fast-paced accounts, and the Clipper Race is a live product, with constantly evolving stories.
• Delivering full spectrum account management; planning, development, onsite activation, administration and evaluation.
• Ensure full and high standard client servicing on every aspect of the account.
• Lead the development of creative ideas, working with other departments and the client to question campaign objectives and deliver insightful, creative solutions for each partner.
• Development of activations across B2B, B2C, G2G, B2G objectives.
• Reporting and evaluation
• Strategic planning to deliver for partner objectives including a hands-on approach to solving their challenges, earn the trust of the client quickly, as the ‘go-to’ for all things on projects.
• Identifying growth opportunities – big and small – with a considered approach to realising the opportunities.
• Participate in and lead high-level meetings with diplomatic and c-suite contacts, you should have cultural awareness and hold yourself to high account
• Oversee the day to day running of the Partnerships Team

ABOUT YOU:

• You communicate clearly. High level of writing skill, you speak in an engaging way and can explain your thoughts and ideas succinctly.
• You thrive in a fast-paced environment – comfortable with an element of unpredictability, navigating and managing change, making smart decisions on the run and guiding the team and client to the best possible outcome.
• You have a can-do, positive, dynamic attitude, hungry to achieve in an organisation where every day is different.
• You’re natural at building rapport with just about anyone at any level in an organisation with a proven ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with clients and colleagues.
• You pay attention to detail, you stay focused, and nothing gets missed.
• You thrive on working on multiple projects at any one time and can work at pace.
• You enjoy solving problems and finding creative solutions to challenges.
• You are patient, level-headed and cool under pressure.
• You are a real team player.
• You lead a flexible lifestyle which allows you to travel and work away for some extended periods.
• You currently live, or are willing to relocate to, within a commutable distance to our Gosport, Hampshire HQ.
• You are hard-working, conscientious, positive, and ready to work outside of the usual 9 to 5 environment.
• You are a creative thinker, comfortable with delivering ideas away from the traditional but equally at home with conventional marketing techniques.

You will also need to have:

• At least 5 years’ relevant experience in an Account Management role with at least 2 years being in a senior position, ideally within sport/adventure, or large-scale events.
• Confidence in leading high-level meetings and conversing with senior stakeholders.
• Understanding of incident/crisis management.
• Expertise in partnership negotiation, activation, experiential, social content, communications and managing financial processes.
• Relevant experience in creating and delivering fully integrated campaigns, from conception to evaluation.
• Project management experience, with the ability to manage your own time as well as more junior members of your team, delegating and managing as required.
• A degree qualification or equivalent relevant experience.
• Competent in Microsoft 365, CRM systems and digital platforms.
• Valid unrestricted passport.
• An understanding and commitment to equal opportunities in employment and sport.
• An understanding of individual responsibility in complying with the Health and Safety policies and arrangements.
• Right to work in the UK
• No sailing experience necessary.

YOUR PACKAGE:

• £45,000 - £48,000 dependent on experience
• 25 days annual leave plus statutory bank holidays and one volunteer day
• Clipper Race Level 1 sail training course
• Private Health Insurance [subject to conditions]
• Discounted gym membership
• Cycle to work scheme
• Company pension scheme
• Travel subsistence
• Company phone and laptop