Isabelle Gnad: Head of QSR, Grocery for CIC EMEA in Vienna

I was hired in mid 2009 as Director Global Merchant Sales to be responsible for Global Major Key Accounts. From terminals/POS, acquiring, processing capabilities, technical interfaces to individual needs as well as business questions in relation to card issuing/bonus programs/loyalty/new innovations. Acting more as a consultant and single point of contact to my client base from all industries (Hotels, Airlines, Retail ), on senior level, if not CEO level. Furthermore did I assist existing American Key Accounts establish their business in Europe and rest of the world. Coordinating with FD daughter companies in various locations, to best serve the client. A sales manager did report to me for German accounts on acquiring sales actions. Q1/2015 my role changed and I was asked to Head Sales in Austria for the GBS (Global Business Solutions) Sales Team in the Austrian Market i.e. Business Development and respective sales activities, operations targets and revenue target in the field of NSP Services/Processing, the newly launched First Data Acquiring as well as ecommerce/mobile payment solutions. The planning and implementation of sales commission plans, budget and forecast was also a vital part of my job. With the appointment of Head of Merchant Services I was granted the power of Prokura. Major Key Accounts in the Austrian Market are still in my scope of my personal Sales activities, and their full acquiring potential, NSP and omni-channel sales activities. I supported our German colleagues in their acquiring sales activities on major Key Accounts, giving Acquiring workshops on their national sales meetings for Key Account Manager. Since Nov 2017 a new org changed my role, as a new appointed Head of QSR and Grocery (with Petrol, but this has changed again in the meantime) for Corporate Institutional Clients EMEA. With this my Key Account scope changed from Austria specific to the whole of EMEA for those specific verticals. Since taking this new position I have had major wins for First Data, mainly with German HQ'ed companies. The cross and upselling opportunities within those accounts are being taken care by myself too. I have one FTE reporting into me, having a consolidated team target to achieve. My relationships are within the C-level on the client side, but have also great exposure to Senior Management within First Data worldwide. The weekly reporting tasks to Management are of course part of my job. International travel (including US) keeps me busy for 60-70% of my time.

Working from my home office as the first sales representative for ConCardis in Austria, the market leader of credit card acceptance in Germany, I was responsible for the acquisition of international key accounts. My focus was not only the Austrian market, but also major accounts throughout Europe. Dealing with Senior Financial Management Staff of multinational companies I negotiated contracts (> 5 Mio € non-cash revenues) for the acceptance of credit and debit cards as well as cross sell financial management tools and services, assisting today's accounting challenges. A dedicated assistant from a pool of services personnel provided support to me in dealing with operational issues. Identifying and researching new potentials as well as new markets was a vital part of my work with ConCardis.

In my role as International Account and Sales Manager for all International Clients, I was responsible for selling Credit Management Services and Receivables Management products for the CEE region. I budgeted, coordinated and negotiated international and regional wide contracts and act as Project Manager to implement any specific client requirements involved (that could be technical as well as product specific). I lead also international, group internal projects with a focus on Human Resources, Communication and Management. Product consulting and cross-/up selling was a vital part of my role with Coface Central Europe. The customer client base contained of credit management decision maker from mainly international Blue Chip companies and Financial Institutions as well as mid/small cap firms. The identification and development of new markets in combination with client segment and sector analysis was an important part of my assignment. Furthermore was I heavily involved in Marketing Issues and the coordination of Marketing/Sales projects, including organizing and conducting Sales Meetings for the CEE region.

I was responsible for all aspects relating to the acquisition of Key Account clients in the South Germany area. This covers the full life cycle of the sales process - from initial cold calling, through to presentation, calculation of business offers and creation of contracts as well as implementation of new key accounts. I was also in charge of consulting and maintaining the existing key client base, strengthening ties, and using existing relationships to generate cross-border clients. Also cross-selling key products (Credit Cards, POS terminals) were part of my role, through which I maintained and strengthened existing relationships for the company.

I worked as a Project Coordinator for global Clients of all sectors. This role involved the full implementation from the client side into our organization (technical as well as operational). Furthermore was I the Relationship Manager for existing clients on a global basis for all products, which involved chargeback handling, collections, invoicing, statistics as well as managing all relevant relationships within the company. I significantly took part in signing up a major UK Transportation Company and oversaw the complete implementation and was responsible for the complete integration of Diners Club UK into the Citibank Operations Systems.

I worked as a Sales Trader on the US Equities desk, covering all institutional German and Swiss clients. Duties involved building and maintaining the German client base, through a good understanding of both the markets and the company's products, regularly cross-selling within the company. I became the single point of contact for many companies, cultivating strong business relationships through an efficient and professional approach. I established excellent business relationships, which were reflected in the commission I generated with all major Institutions. I acted as liaison between Portfolio Managers and traders - worked through issues from trade/flow to inquiries on stock information, including taking orders. And I evaluated research material and current market conditions. Dealt on a daily basis with Syndicate on deals, including taking indications of interest for clients and reporting allocation of stock. Furthermore was I responsible for producing and analysing Commission reports on a monthly basis.

Reporting directly to the Head of Investment Banking Switzerland I was responsible for looking after his office management requirements as well as all internal and external communication. Work included all secretarial tasks such as diary management, travel arrangements, setting up meetings, client events.

Reporting to a Partner and his associate I was responsible for the management of all office requirements. Liaised daily with blue-chip clients both orally and in writing. Budgeting and financial management was also part of my duties.

Reception and Office Management, which included dealing with incoming and outgoing mail, switchboard and office equipment ordering. Event Management: budgeting, organization and support of internal board meetings, conferences, press conferences, office parties and corporate events. Daily liaison with hotel and car rental organizations. I was actively involved in recruitment fairs on behalf of the company. Marketing/PR and Communication: support and local contact for Head office in Frankfurt, Germany and the Austrian Market PA to 5 Managers, 1 Associate Partner, 1 Regional Managing Partner (RMP): my duties included a wide range of secretarial support such as complex travel arrangements, managing meetings, internal and external communications. Project support as well as client proposal preparation co-ordination using desktop publishing.

Responsible for all VIP guests at Vienna Airport, which included customs and passport control matters. Organizing social and political events at the VIP Center was a major part of the responsibilities. Lounge service, included registration and billing clients. Supervision of catering and lounge personnel.