Account Director-UK in London

API is seeking seasoned professional to join our company in the role of an Account Director

This is a remote position.

The Account Director is the client’s main point of contact.

This role will actively manage existing client relationships with our Airline, Cruise Line and Hotel partners; focused on the best interests of our clients and API at all times.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Sourcing
• Oversee the direction of existing API accounts with the goal of maximizing prevailing relationships to expand market/wallet share versus pre-assigned revenue quota.

This will include working closely with the Research & Sourcing teams to provide all details of a destination to ensure a seamless approach to sourcing the destination.

• Assist with the sourcing of destinations by initiating the RFP process and being sensitive to supplier relationships.
• Total responsibility for ensuring RFP results are documented in the customer destination presentation in an accurate, detail-oriented manner and the presentation meets the needs of the client, demonstrates a level of savings and meets the revenue goals of API.
• Strategic planning and organizing in order to maximize API revenue, as well as client savings goals; including but not limited to sourcing timelines for expiring contracts and contract renewals.
• Site Inspections
• Conduct hotel site inspections domestically and internationally when required with customers ensuring each property meets client criteria.
• Contracting
• Execute hotel contract negotiations on behalf of the Airline, contract renewals, and addendums. Keen ability to negotiate mutually beneficial contract terms and conditions.
• Monitor market conditions in each serviced destination to ensure the best rates, amenities and contract terms are maintained throughout the hotel contract.
• Conduct risk management for each destination the client services to proactively manage any potential risks to the contract based on changes to that hotel or market and negotiate terms that will positively impact our client.
• Proactively pursue and maintain, at all times, the best hotel relationships where the client has contracted.
• Day to Day Account Management
• Work closely with the sales team to ensure client needs are met and share leads that are uncovered by your communication with hotels and airlines.
• Crew Care
• Manage crew member feedback via our online portal for all assigned accounts ensuring any complaints are addressed in a timely fashion accordingly with our hotel partners and documented.
• Add new hotels to the system and ensure all information is accurate.

Delete inactive hotels.

Hotel Express

Ensure negotiated rates for Crew, Business and Leisure Travel and loaded and maintained properly on Hotel Express for clients.

• ACES
• Verify all hotel contract information is loaded properly into ACES for OPS and for Accounting.
• Review ACES schedules monthly to ensure hotels are downloading their schedules.

Assist OPS department with follow up with the hotels about the schedules.

• Verify client back up list is accurate and loaded into ACES for OPS.
• CRM
• Ensure all revenue opportunities are in the CRM with accurate business start dates.
• Ensure all hotel/airline and API commission contracts are loaded, executed and attached to the CRM.
• Maintain all flight information
• Fully understand the client’s business and ensure all deliverables are being met for a successful relationship.
• Strive to create increased value for the client by providing new points of view and recommendations that are aligned with desired business goals.
• Work closely with the Business Development team to ensure a smooth client transition from contract signing to implementation.
• Independently lead and make decisions that properly balance the needs of the client and API.
• Manage all client communications ranging from weekly performance meetings to business reviews.
• Own internal communications to the cross functional team on client performance, strategies and needs.
• Become knowledgeable in all API technology platforms to ensure clients are aligned with appropriate software solutions.
• Competencies
• Problem Solving/Analysis
• Relationship Building
• Business Acumen
• Strategic Thinking
• Results Driven
• Negotiation
• Leadership
• Customer Focus
• Managing Processes
• Market Knowledge
• Developing and Maintaining Budgets
• Technical Capacity
• Communication Proficiency
• Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

Full-time position core business hours Mon-Fri 9-5.

• Occasional evening/weekend work and flexibility to travel as needed (25%)
• Good Faith Compensation

The good faith compensation range for this role is 55,000 to 60,000 GBP annually, commensurate with experience.

Plus, annual discretionary bonus.

• Required Education and Experience
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the travel industry and working closely with hotels is a must.
• Preferred Bachelor’s degree in business administration, sales and marketing or related field.
• Ability to effectively manage work load in a fast paced environment, relying on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.
• Strong attention to detail and produces high quality work.
• Ability to positively present API in customer facing situations.
• Strong Microsoft Office computer skills, with emphasis on Excel.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong customer/client service skills.
• Ability to work with and understand diverse cultures here and abroad.
• An organized self-starter who can work proactively and independently.
• Able to multi task and work well under strict deadlines.