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- 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 travel industry.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in hotel contracting with strong negotiation and leadership skills required.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with a diverse international team and enjoy company-funded social events.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
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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.
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Seniority level
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Seniority level
Director
Employment type
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Employment type
Full-time
Job function
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Job function
Purchasing
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Industries
Travel Arrangements
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Volunteer Operations Director | St Albans Community Bank
St Albans, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
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DIRECTOR OF CONTRACTING (London) 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 (London)
✨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 leading hotels and chains in the UK and Ireland market. Understanding their business models and current trends will help you speak knowledgeably during interviews and demonstrate your commitment to driving commercial performance.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your negotiation strategies and successes in previous roles. Be ready to provide specific examples of how you've built and maintained relationships with hotel partners, as this is a key aspect of the Director of Contracting role.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with data analysis tools and techniques relevant to the hospitality sector. Being able to analyse portfolio performance and identify growth opportunities will set you apart as a candidate who can drive improvements in contracting processes.
We think you need these skills to ace DIRECTOR OF CONTRACTING (London)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in hotel contracting and team management. Focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your negotiation skills and ability to build relationships with hoteliers.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your leadership style and how you can drive commercial performance. Mention your understanding of the UK and Ireland market and how your previous experiences align with the company's goals.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise your strong negotiation and relationship-building skills in both your CV and cover letter. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed teams and improved contracting processes in past roles.
Showcase Data-Driven Decision Making: Include instances where you've used data to inform your contracting strategies. This could involve analysing portfolio performance or aligning efforts with demand trends, which is crucial for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ambitions Travel Recruitment
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Director of Contracting, you'll be leading a senior team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully motivated and developed teams in the past.
✨Demonstrate Negotiation Expertise
Negotiation is key in this role. Prepare specific examples of successful negotiations you've conducted, particularly in hotel contracting, and highlight how these led to improved commercial performance.
✨Understand Market Trends
Familiarise yourself with current trends in the UK and Ireland hotel market. Be ready to discuss how you would align contracting efforts with these trends to drive business growth.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration
This role requires working closely with various departments. 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.
