“Each role I’ve had at Uber has taught me something new about what I enjoy doing and what I’m good at,” shares Gabriella Overeem, Head of Partner Management & Enterprise Sales for the United Kingdom and Ireland at Uber Eats based in London. After joining Uber as a UK Rides Operations Analyst in 2016, Gabriella has traversed businesses and career paths to drive her growth and build Uber Eats. “After 6 years I still feel like I’m learning every day and I don’t see that changing.”
Tell us about yourself.
“I’m Dutch but I grew up moving around the world, which has given me a huge appreciation for travel and I love visiting new places. I started my career as a business analyst in the insurance industry after graduating from UCLA with a degree in Economics and International relations. 6 years ago I joined Uber in London and have been there ever since! In my free time I love hanging out with my dog Bruce, trying new fitness classes, and exploring London’s great restaurants.”
How has your role evolved at Uber?
“I started on the UK Rides team as an Operations Analyst in 2016. I moved to Uber Eats a year and a half later as the first member of our newly formed Innovation team where I worked on expanding the presence of virtual restaurants and delivery-only kitchens on our platform. This role gave me the opportunity to work directly with restaurants and I found that I really enjoyed client-facing work. As a result, I decided to move into account management and took a new role as a Strategic Account Manager. In this role, I had the opportunity to bring on board some of the UK’s top restaurant chains.
As the team grew, I stepped up to lead the Strategic Account Management team. Over time, my role evolved to include both Sales and Enterprise Account Management. I love my role because it combines the things that give me energy: strategic thinking, problem solving, people management, and working with amazing restaurants.
Each role I’ve had at Uber has taught me something new about what I enjoy doing and what I’m good at so it’s felt like a natural evolution.”
What does your day-to-day look like?
“At Uber, one of our values is See the forest and the trees and this describes my day to day well. I try to strike the right balance between people, process, and strategy. I need to see the big picture and make sure that we’re moving towards the right goals. I invest a lot of my time in my team and their development, which is one of the things I enjoy most about my role. I also need to get into the details to ensure that we have the right foundations and that the team is set up for success.
I make sure to stay connected to the industry and I love spending time with restaurants whether that be through store visits, business reviews, or meeting brands who are considering joining the platform.”
How are you growing Uber Eats in the UK today?
“What I love about my role is that I can see the direct impact my team has on the business. Our job is to sign the UK’s most beloved brands and then work with them to ensure that together we’re delivering the best experience to our shared customers. We work on driving operational improvements, growing sales through marketing and expansion, and ensuring that Uber Eats is the platform of choice.”
What are some of the key lessons you’ve learned at Uber?
“My biggest lesson at Uber has been seeing great leadership in action. I’ve been lucky to have a number of great managers over the years who have supported me and helped me develop as a leader. They have pushed me outside of my comfort zone and encouraged me to take on challenges, all while sharing candid feedback to help me improve. This has really shaped how I think about people management and I aim to do the same for everyone on my team.”
Any tips for people looking to join Uber Eats?
“Uber moves fast, so be prepared to embrace change and ambiguity. I always say that there’s no shortage of interesting problems to work on at Uber and it’s an amazing place to work if you’re looking for a new challenge. After 6 years I still feel like I’m learning every day and I don’t see that changing.
Article reposted with permission from Uber
