Position: Client Director
Job Description: I'm responsible for setting the overall online strategies for key Summit clients including Which?, Mobiles.co.uk and Regatta. I also have key channel and sector responsibilities including SEO, Insight and Technology ensuring all products developed and utilised by Summit are cutting edge and add value to both staff and clients.
Time at Summit: 7 years.
Interests: Football, rugby, badminton, tennis, pool, gigs and the gym.
What were you doing before joining Summit?
Before I joined Summit, I was carrying out contract roles and consulting a small local business through a period of expansion. This was a position I held following nine months on a graduate scheme working as a recruitment consultant when I left university in 2004.
Why did you decide to join Summit?
The main driver for my application to Summit was the link with my degree course which I had completed two years earlier. Half of the major honours degree was in e-commerce which involved the design and development of web sites, in addition to developing online marketing strategies. This was an area that had interested me and I was keen to follow-up on what I had learnt - and apply it commercially.
What has been the most rewarding part of your Summit experience?
Apart from the client successes, the most rewarding part for me has been the work I’ve carried out in training internal staff. Training inmates who are looking to better themselves, and seeing them progress into careers at Summit (or elsewhere,) has given me a lot of self-satisfaction and has been a big part of my time here.
How have you developed personally since joining Summit?
In addition to developing my knowledge across all aspects of digital, my personal skills have developed significantly; particularly my communication skills due to the client facing nature of the role. During my time at Summit, I’ve had to present to clients and colleagues at different levels of seniority. This has helped me to develop my own style and approach. Another area I've improved is decision making, especially strategic decision making. This is a key aspect of my role, making decisions on behalf of the client and when developing Summit’s channel proposition and approach.
Is working at Summit what you first thought it would be like?
Working at Summit is very different to what I’d first expected. I wasn’t aware of the level of responsibility or opportunity that I’d be given whilst working at Summit. In seven years, I’ve managed to fulfil four different roles, which has given me a great deal of variety and experience. Working within our Wolds media centre has also had a positive effect on my personality and approach to life and work.
