Business Development Manager
Spabreaks.com, United Kingdom
Job Description
Established in 2007, Spabreaks.com made an immediate name within the travel sector and quickly became Europe’s leading Spa Travel Agency. Having opened with just 2 staff and 25 UK based venues we have been on a rollercoaster journey and have now grown to a team of 70, working with over 1000 of the world’s leading spa hotels. We send away over 6000 travellers each week, have won multiple industry awards, and we are just getting started!
What makes us unique? Our people. Our employees are the life of our business and by joining our team you will become part of the most talented, ambitious, passionate, collaborative and entrepreneurial team in travel as we continue to make huge waves in the market and develop Spabreaks.com into a household name in the travel industry.
An exciting opportunity to join the UK amp; Europe’s largest Spa Break Booking Agent at management level to manage and continually develop a portfolio of hotel and spa venues for the company. Based in the heart of the buzzing city of Brighton, multi-award-winning Spabreaks.com has experienced phenomenal growth over the last few years and is planning further expansion as we take advantage of a growing wellness and short break market. Previously ranked number 2 in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100, Spabreaks.com is part of the Palatinate Group which also includes brands such as the award-winning Yourgolftravel.com, Love Velo, Out of Office.com amp; Racing Breaks.
Purpose of role:
Reporting to the Head of Contracting and Product, the Business Development Manager will be directly responsible for exponentially increasing the size of our hotel and spa portfolio in the UK and Ireland. The individual will be required to develop a strategy to achieve the company’s growth targets through signing up a large number of new partners across the country, whilst ensuring the best possible commercial terms, in line with company targets and requirements. The role will include working closely with the product team, but also sales and marketing teams, to identify opportunities and to deliver the correct product for our customers, and to meet the established company headline KPIs.
Example duties of postholder:
- To create a business development plan and strategy to achieve the required growth targets and number of venues in line with the business plan.
- To meet set objectives and departmental KPIs which are linked to profitability, product development, delivery of incremental revenue streams and increased delivery of product via XML connections.
- Providing regular feedback to the extended product team, highlighting opportunities to grow the business.
- Managing the end-to-end sales process, from developing and following up on leads, meeting with the key stakeholders at the venue, negotiating the best commercial deal, managing the onboarding process, and handing the new partner over to the relevant Product Manager for that region to account manage.
- To support the XML integrations manager to achieve our connected venues target by utilising existing connections and reporting insights back to the team.
- To source product in the most efficient and cost effective way while maximising allocations, availability and revenue.
- A creative individual, you should be able to spot opportunities for new product development and exclusive product to give Spabreaks.com the edge.
- To make recommendations to venues on how to best to promote their venue on our website and maximise revenue in their local area, working closely with the marketing team to devise local initiatives.
- Attending trade shows and other industry events to raise the company profile and develop sales leads.
Requirements
- A minimum of five years of sales management or business development experience, with a proven track record of success.
- You will be a strong sales person; persistence, resilience and persuasion skills are essential to be successful in this role.
- Travel industry or experience of the spa industry is preferred but not essential.
- Strong communication and negotiation skills, having a proven track record in securing competitive rates, exclusivities and alternative sources of revenue.
- Strong delivery focus, excellent attention to detail, having the tenacity and resilience required to flourish in a pressurised and constantly evolving environment.
- Experience or knowledge of XML connections and contracting product via various sources, including channel managers, bed banks and direct contracts is preferred.
- Hybrid working model available with a requirement to attend the Brighton office but must be flexible to travel regularly around the UK to attend face to face sales meetings, and will be required to overnight in different locations.
- Applicants must have the right to