Assistant Manager, UK Leisure Sales

Reports To

Country Manager, UK

Role Purpose

The Assistant Manager, UK Leisure Sales is tasked with leading a small team to drive the airline's sales and revenue growth within the leisure/travel agency and OTA travel segment across the UK. Reporting to the Country Manager UK, this role is responsible for managing and strengthening relationships with local travel agents and OTAs, ensuring the airline's products and services are strategically positioned and effectively promoted within the UK travel market. With a strong focus on pushing travel solutions in a highly competitive environment, the role plays a pivotal role in securing the airline's market presence and expanding its leisure business. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in leisure sales, with a strong customer-centric approach and exceptional relationship-building skills.

Key Accountability

1. Develop and implement aggressive sales strategies to promote and push the airline's leisure and travel agency products.
2. Develop and execute sales strategies to drive revenue growth from the leisure travel segment.
3. Actively pursue new business opportunities through acquisition.
4. Build and maintain strong relationships with leisure travel agents to enhance customer loyalty and long-term partnerships.
5. Conduct business review meetings and presentations with key accounts to ensure ongoing engagement.
6. Monitor account performance, identifying opportunities for upselling, cross-selling, and agency contracts to maximize revenue.
7. Stay informed about market trends, competitive activities, and leisure travel demand to adapt sales strategies as necessary.
8. Identify emerging opportunities within the leisure travel segment, including new industries or sectors, to grow the airline’s presence.
9. Regularly report on corporate sales performance, client activities, and market conditions to the Country Manager and relevant stakeholders.
10. Use data-driven insights to measure the effectiveness of sales strategies and initiatives, identifying areas for improvement.
11. Lead and coach a team of account managers to deliver on key metrics.

Qualifications & Working Experience

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Tourism, or a related field with 6 or more years of experience in sales within the leisure travel, airline, or hospitality industries, with a strong focus on leisure products.

Areas of Experience

1. Demonstrated success in driving airline sales with a proven track record of consistently achieving targets.
2. In-depth knowledge of the leisure travel market in the UK, including established relationships with leisure travel agents and OTAs and a keen understanding of travel trends and customer preferences.
3. Proven ability to effectively promote travel products to clients, consistently meeting or exceeding sales objectives.

Personality Traits

1. Demonstrates exceptional relationship-building and negotiation skills with travel agents.
2. Proven ability to develop and execute promotional strategies for leisure travel products that effectively engage the target audience.
3. Extensive experience with airline reservation systems, GDS platforms, and other tools within the leisure travel industry.
4. A sales-driven professional with a passion for promoting leisure travel products and consistently delivering measurable results.
5. Deeply customer-focused, with a keen understanding of the preferences and needs of leisure travellers.
6. Proactive and innovative, skilled in identifying and capitalizing on new opportunities within the leisure travel market.
7. Strong interpersonal skills, capable of influencing and collaborating with internal teams and external partners.