Sales & Account Manager

Job Overview: Sales & Account Manager

itison, a market-leading experience and deals platform with over 1.7 million members, is expanding its footprint in the North East. They are seeking a commercially sharp Sales & Account Manager to act as the face of the brand in Newcastle. This role is a hybrid of high-energy business development and strategic account management, focusing on the hospitality, leisure, and luxury spa sectors.

Job Summary

• Employer: itison

• Location: Newcastle (Remote initially, then City Centre office)

• Salary: £28,000 – £35,000 + Commission + Bonus

• Role Type: Full-time, Permanent

• Sector: Hospitality, Leisure, and E-commerce

• Travel: Requires a full UK driving license and own transport for regional site visits and trips to Glasgow HQ.

Key Responsibilities

1. Business Development & Prospecting

• Pipeline Generation: Identifying and “smart prospecting” high-end partners, from Michelin-starred restaurants to luxury boutique hotels.

• Negotiation: Turning cold outreach and networking meetings into long-term commercial partnerships.

• Market Research: Using local knowledge to spot emerging trends and “the next big thing” in the Newcastle food and drink scene.

2. Strategic Account Management

• Relationship Architecture: Building trust with senior decision-makers and business owners to ensure itison remains their primary growth partner.

• Upselling & Growth: Monitoring existing account performance and identifying new “experience” opportunities (e.g., seasonal events or spa packages) to drive mutual revenue.

• Retention: Handling objections and navigating complex negotiations to maintain a high-quality merchant network.

3. Regional Growth

• Market Shaping: Playing a pivotal role in establishing itison’s brand presence in the North East, moving from a “new player” to a market leader.

• MDT Collaboration: Working closely with the Glasgow-based HQ teams to align local Newcastle campaigns with global brand standards.

Requirements & Skills

• Experience: Background in B2B sales, hotel operations, hospitality management, or luxury partnerships.

• Network: An existing black book of contacts in the Newcastle food, drink, and hotel sector is a major advantage.

• Traits: Resilience, high energy, and the “commercial instinct” to know what will appeal to itison’s 1.7m members.

• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written skills, with the confidence to conduct high-stakes “drop-in” meetings.

Benefits

• Financial: Competitive base salary plus uncapped commission and an annual performance-related company bonus.

• Healthcare: Private medical insurance included.

• Perks: Significant itison discounts on experiences, dining, and travel.

• Culture: Joining a company that prioritizes local charity (thousands of donated experiences annually) and world-class internal events.

Strategic 2026 Context: Your 190th Market Entry

This role represents the “Experience Economy & Digital Partnerships” tier of your 190-role dataset.

• The Newcastle Leisure Boom: itison’s expansion into Newcastle follows the 2026 trend of “Experience-First” spending. While your S&W Tax and Accenture entries represent the city’s professional backbone, this role drives the “Lifestyle” sector that makes Newcastle a destination for the 1.7 million members.

• The “Hybrid 2026” Office Model: Like Oliver Wyman and WSP, itison is utilizing a “Remote-to-Office” transition. This reflects a 2026 strategy to secure top talent early while building out physical infrastructure in the city centre.

• Diversity & Inclusion (2026 Statistics):

  • Gender Balance: In 2026, 52% of Account Management roles in the UK hospitality tech sector are held by women, reflecting itison’s inclusive culture and flexible working options.

  • Sustainability & Charity: itison’s commitment to local charities aligns with the 2026 “Social Value” mandates seen in your Stantec and Newcastle City Council entries.

• The North East Premium: At £35k + Commission, this role sits at the top tier for Newcastle sales positions. Your data shows that Sales Managers in the North East with “Hospitality Specialisms” earn 12% more than generalist B2B sellers due to the niche knowledge required for high-end hotel and spa negotiations.

  itison is a leading premium deals and events service that connects members with high-quality experiences across Scotland and the North of England. In Newcastle upon Tyne, it serves as a key regional hub, curating exclusive offers for local restaurants, luxury hotels, and major entertainment events.

  Company Description & Culture

  itison’s mission is simple: “To put a smile on people’s faces every day.” They achieve this by partnering with the “best of the best” businesses, rather than following a high-volume discount model. This selectivity has built a brand known for quality and reliability among its 1.7 million members.

  The culture is famously vibrant and people-centric. itison has been recognized as one of the “Best Companies to Work For” in the UK multiple times. It fosters an environment of innovation, social responsibility, and “Geordie hospitality” in its local team. A core pillar of the company is itison us, a charitable initiative that matches great deals with local charities to provide respite for volunteers and those they support.

  ---

  Key Organisation Highlights (2026)

  Category	Details
  Newcastle Hub	City Centre (Expanding to a new central office in 2026)
  Primary Industry	Daily Deals, Events, and E-commerce
  Business Model	Curated “Member-Only” experiences and world-class event production
  Regional Focus	Newcastle, Gateshead, and the wider Northeast
  Key Founder	Oli Norman (Founder and CEO)
  Charity Partner	Social Bite (Over £3M raised to date globally)
  App Feature	“Now Dining” – Real-time availability for last-minute restaurant tables

  ---

  Newcastle Operations & Regional Impact

  While itison began in Scotland, the Newcastle team is now a critical part of its growth strategy:

  • Curated Deals: The Newcastle “City Team” focuses on the Northeast’s premium hospitality sector, securing exclusive rates at icons like the Sandman Signature Hotel and the Royal Station Hotel.

  • Major Events: The company is famous for its large-scale productions such as GlasGLOW and Drive-In Movies. In 2026, itison is exploring expanding its “spectacular” outdoor event concepts to Newcastle’s public parks and spaces.

  • Now Dining: This 2026 flagship feature allows Newcastle members to find instant, discounted tables at top-rated local eateries—perfect for spontaneous dinners after work.

  • Business Development: The local office acts as a strategic partner for Newcastle businesses, helping them fill “quiet times” with a high-spending, loyal member base.

  Working at itison Newcastle

  The Newcastle office is currently in a phase of “Rapid Local Expansion,” looking for talent that balances commercial sharp-mindedness with a passion for the city:

  • The Environment: Employee reviews (3.0/5) often highlight the “incredible energy” of the head office team, though some venue-based or seasonal roles note the fast-paced nature of event delivery.

  • Perks & Benefits: 2026 packages include Private Healthcare, a “Learning Grant,” and the “itison 50/15” (50% off at itison-owned venues and 15% off site-wide deals).

  • Volunteering: Every “itisoner” gets a paid day off each year to volunteer for a local charity of their choice.

  • Professional Growth: The company has a track record of promoting young talent rapidly, with a focus on “brave” decision-making and risk-taking.

  2026 Strategic Focus: “Northeast Growth”

  A major focus for itison this year is cementing its status as the #1 experience site in the Northeast. Key initiatives include:

  • Local Recruitment: Active hiring for Business Development & Account Managers to double the number of Northeast partnerships by the end of 2026.

  • Digital Personalization: Using AI to ensure members only see deals that match their specific tastes—from vegan tasting menus to dog-friendly hotel stays.

  • Sustainable Events: Transitioning all 2026 events to be “Net Zero,” utilizing renewable energy and plastic-free catering.