Lead Account Manager

As Account Manager for Solar Team Twente you have a wide scale of tasks to perform. You are responsible for the acquisition of new partners and maintaining the good relations with our existing partners. The leads which you generate allow you to enthuse possible partners and connect them to you and Solar Team Twente. 

You do this by calling, mailing and visiting potential partners. You assess the market, look at the partners we already have and set up a strategic account plan. 

You are part of the Management Team. Together you will be responsible for making the budget. You are involved in both the acquisition and budgeting of resources. This makes you a key player in the finances of the team! You will try to predict the money flow in order to anticipate on risk and opportunities that will arise. You discuss issues with the Management Team for which you present clear overviews. You also do not shy away from meeting with the top of management of the largest tech companies in the Netherlands!

You work closely together with the Marketing and Communications team. Together you think about storytelling and marketing, where you will focus on the relation between marketing and account management. You are the primary contact for partners and responsible for account management. You represent the wishes of your partners in discussions with your team, as you know exactly what they wish for. You make sure to supply your colleagues in the Marketing and Communication Team with enough details about the specific wishes of your partners.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about the project, a strong communicator, relationship-oriented and knows a little bit about negotiation tactics. You keep your head cool, are enthusiastic and you follow through on your plans. Presenting Solar Team Twente on location to a partner is not something you shy away from. We are looking for a true team player who will go to great lengths to achieve your targets. Does this position sounds like you, then you’re probably the one we’re looking for!

The experience of Hjalmar

My name is Hjalmar Lemmers, and I was the account manager for the 2023 edition. In my role as account manager within the solar team, my responsibilities extended far beyond managing business relationships. During this edition, I wasn't just managing business relationships, but was also challenged to hone my skills in various areas. This unique opportunity offered not only professional growth, but also personal development in various areas. From strategic partnerships to diplomatic finesse, the solar team served as the perfect platform to enhance my skills. This experience went beyond the standard responsibilities of an account manager, and I enthusiastically embraced this opportunity to broaden my skills.

Highlights included not only managing business aspects but also presenting key moments, such as the car launch and witnessing the production of our solar car. The absolutely unforgettable highlight was the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, where the team created one of the world's best solar cars from scratch and achieved an impressive second place in Australia. It was a fantastic experience to be able to participate in this and I look back on that year and a half with great pleasure.