Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead hotel supply strategy and manage a high-performing contracting team.
- Company: Join a leading global travel company known for innovation and tech-forward solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid work, 25 days leave, and exclusive discounts.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving commercial success in the tourism industry.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in hotel contracting with strong negotiation and leadership skills required.
- Other info: Opportunity to travel within the region and access various training courses.
The predicted salary is between 68000 - 102000 £ per year.
Job Description
DIRECTOR OF CONTRACTING UK / IRELAND
LONDON – HYBRID
£85,000 PLUS 20 % BONUS PLUS AMAZING BENEFITS
Our Customer:
We’re recruiting EXCLUSIVELY on behalf of a leading global travel company recognised for its innovative, fast-paced, and tech-forward approach to the tourism industry. With a footprint in more than 120 countries and an impressive international team, they continue to set the benchmark for delivering smart, streamlined services to partners and customers around the world.
With a strong emphasis on commercial performance and product development, they are now looking for an experienced and driven Director of Contracting UK / Ireland to lead strategic initiatives and supplier relationships across the region.
In return, you’ll enjoy excellent benefits, including a highly competitive salary, a hybrid working model with a meal allowance on in-office days, 25 days of annual leave plus your birthday off, and access to private medical cover and gym membership. You’ll also benefit from exclusive industry discounts and company-funded social events.
Job Description:
In this role, you will lead the hotel supply strategy across the UK and Ireland, managing a senior team and working closely with internal stakeholders and hotel partners to drive commercial performance, strengthen market competitiveness, and deliver long-term value.
- Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing contracting team to meet strategic objectives
- Define and implement the hotel partnership strategy in line with business goals
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with key hotels and chains to drive long-term value
- Negotiate competitive rates, inventory, and availability to maximise sales performance
- Analyse regional portfolio performance to identify trends, gaps, and growth opportunities
- Align contracting efforts with demand trends and overall business growth strategies
- Collaborate with peers across Northern Europe to ensure consistency and share best practices
- Work cross-functionally with Sales, Revenue, Marketing, Finance, and Operations teams
- Promote the company’s value proposition to secure and strengthen supplier partnerships
- Drive improvements in contracting processes through data-led decision-making and internal initiatives
Experience Required:
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in hotel contracting and team management, with a proven track record in hotel partnerships and commercial management within the UK and Ireland market
- Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills, able to develop and maintain trusted partnerships with hoteliers and colleagues
- Proactive leader with the ability to motivate and delegate effectively within a team environment
- Excellent attention to detail, with well-developed written and verbal communication skills for internal and external stakeholders
- Able to perform well under pressure, driven by targets, and motivated to succeed
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
- Skilled in managing expectations and communicating clearly and promptly both internally and externally
- Willingness to travel within the region as required
Benefits and Perks:
- Great basic salary, plus a referral bonus and a season ticket loan
- 25 days of annual leave, a day off on your birthday, enhanced parental leave, and one volunteering day off
- Hybrid working environment with a smart casual dress code and a meal allowance on office days
- Private medical insurance, gym membership, flu vaccinations, eye test contributions (plus £45 towards frames), and access to an Employee Assistance Programme
- Family and friends’ hotel discounts, travel discounts, Eurostar, and Merlin Entertainment concession fares
- Cycle to work scheme and access to a variety of training and development courses
- Reward and recognition scheme (Star Awards), company-funded social events, and a long service award
Click here to apply for this Director of Contracting UK / Ireland job, which is being recruited by Fiona Morrison-Arnthal and Ambitions Travel Recruitment, a boutique recruitment agency, specialising in leisure travel and luxury hospitality roles, and known for sourcing hard-to-find talent.
IMPORTANT
- If this role ticks your boxes and you’ve got the relevant experience, then click and apply
- If this role isn’t for you but you’d be keen to receive suitable job alerts, then register with us now www.ambitionstravelrecruitment.com
- Due to the massive number of applications, we receive, we’re usually only able to reply to candidates whose requirements meet our customers’ needs. We’re super grateful that you take the time to apply, and we will save your CV and be in touch for other suitable roles
- Please visit our website www.ambitionstravelrecruitment.com for our full privacy policy which explains how we store and access your personal data and our candidate promise to never share your details with an employer without your prior consent etc.
DIRECTOR OF CONTRACTING employer: Ambitions Travel Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Ambitions Travel Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land DIRECTOR OF CONTRACTING
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the travel and hospitality industry, especially those who have experience in hotel contracting. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and partners, as personal connections can often lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the company thoroughly before your interview. Understand their market position, recent developments, and their approach to hotel partnerships. This knowledge will help you tailor your discussions and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare specific examples of your past successes in hotel contracting and team management. Be ready to discuss how you've built relationships with hoteliers and negotiated competitive rates, as these are key aspects of the Director of Contracting role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills during the interview by discussing your approach to coaching and developing teams. Highlight any initiatives you've led that improved team performance or streamlined contracting processes, as this aligns with the job's requirements.
We think you need these skills to ace DIRECTOR OF CONTRACTING
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in hotel contracting and team management. Emphasise your negotiation skills and any successful partnerships you've built in the UK and Ireland market.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your leadership style and how you can drive commercial performance. Mention specific examples of how you've developed high-performing teams and strengthened supplier relationships.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, focus on your minimum 5 years of experience in hotel contracting. Detail your achievements in negotiating competitive rates and managing expectations with stakeholders.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since excellent written and verbal communication skills are crucial for this role, ensure your application is well-structured and free of errors. Use clear language to convey your ideas effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ambitions Travel Recruitment
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Director of Contracting, you'll be expected to lead and develop a high-performing team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style, how you motivate your team, and any successful strategies you've implemented in the past.
✨Demonstrate Negotiation Expertise
Negotiation is key in this role. Prepare examples of past negotiations where you secured competitive rates or improved supplier relationships. Highlight your approach and the outcomes achieved.
✨Understand Market Trends
Familiarise yourself with current trends in the UK and Ireland hotel market. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact the company's strategy and how you would align contracting efforts with demand.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration
This role requires working closely with various teams. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with sales, marketing, or finance teams to achieve common goals, and be ready to share these during the interview.
