Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic procurement and manage supplier relationships in a dynamic travel company.
- Company: Join a century-old, award-winning family-run travel company known for exceptional guest experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, travel discounts, wellness perks, and a fantastic team environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive culture with opportunities for upskilling and memorable company events.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in international teams and strong procurement skills required.
- Other info: This role offers a competitive salary with a 20% bonus and exciting travel opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Job Description
MANAGING DIRECTOR
LONDON – HYBRID
FANTASTIC BASIC DOE PLUS 20% BONUS AND AMAZING BENEFITS
Our Customer:
We are thrilled to be EXCLUSIVELY recruiting a Managing Director for this globally acclaimed, award-winning Travel Company, as part of their continued business growth.
With a legacy spanning over a century, they stand as a family-run establishment committed to delivering specialised travel services that leave guests feeling truly cherished.
As the Managing Director, you'll enjoy hybrid working, strong team support, and opportunities for upskilling and travel. Benefits include paid product exploration trips, remote working allowance, pension contributions, wellness perks, and memorable company events.
Job Description:
In this role, you will lead the strategic procurement agenda, ensuring effective supplier selection, contracting, and performance to support brand excellence, cost efficiency, and operational success across the business.
- Set and execute the strategic procurement direction in line with business goals
- Monitor market trends and competitor activity to maintain a commercial advantage
- Ensure all procurement aligns with brand standards, controls costs, and delivers consistent guest experiences
- Drive direct contracting with suppliers where commercially viable across key regions
- Oversee supplier relationships and core procurement functions including accommodation, ground handlers, transport, and experiences
- Approve contracts, ensuring legal, GDPR, and insurance compliance
- Lead digital transformation of procurement processes to improve accuracy, reporting, and efficiency
- Oversee reservations and inventory processes, ensuring service delivery meets guest expectations
- Manage transport operations, aligning logistics with itineraries and resolving supplier issues
- Lead and develop a high-performing management team, ensuring compliance and supporting DEI and employee engagement initiatives
Experience Required:
- Proven leadership of multi-disciplinary, international teams
- Strong EMEA supplier sourcing and contract negotiation skills
- Solid experience in procurement and cost control
- Strategic thinker with strong commercial insight
- Skilled at managing senior stakeholder relationships
- Track record of driving operational efficiency across regions
- Proficient in Microsoft 365, CRM, and procurement systems
- Experience leading digital transformation initiatives
- Strong people management and talent development ability
- Travel or hospitality industry background, EMEA focus preferred
Benefits and Perks:
- Fantastic salary
- 20% Bonus
- Hybrid working
- Fantastic team environment with great team support
- Volunteering benefits
- Training and up-skilling
- Travel discounts
- Paid vacation to explore products
- Annual remote working allowance
- Company Pension
- Childcare and Commute Benefits
- GYM benefits
- Company events you don’t want to miss
- Mental and Physical Health Benefits
Click here to apply for this Managing Director, travel industry job, which is being recruited by Fiona Morrison-Arnthal and Ambitions Travel Recruitment, a boutique recruitment agency, specialising in travel and 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.
Managing Director employer: Ambitions Travel Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Ambitions Travel Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Managing Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network within the travel and hospitality industry. Attend industry events, webinars, or conferences to connect with professionals who might provide insights or referrals for the Managing Director role.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the company thoroughly. Understand their values, mission, and recent developments in the travel sector. This knowledge will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and experiences in managing international teams. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven operational efficiency and supplier relationships in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your digital transformation experience. Highlight any initiatives you've led that improved procurement processes or enhanced operational efficiency, as this is a key focus for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Managing Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Thoroughly read the job description for the Managing Director position. Make sure you understand the key responsibilities and required skills, such as leadership, procurement expertise, and experience in the travel or hospitality industry.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience that aligns with the job requirements. Emphasise your leadership roles, procurement achievements, and any experience in managing international teams or supplier relationships.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the travel industry and your strategic vision for the role. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you can contribute to the company's goals.
Highlight Relevant Achievements: In both your CV and cover letter, include quantifiable achievements that reflect your ability to drive operational efficiency and manage stakeholder relationships. This could be successful contract negotiations or improvements in procurement processes.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ambitions Travel Recruitment
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Managing Director, demonstrating your leadership experience is crucial. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully led multi-disciplinary teams and driven operational efficiency in previous roles.
✨Understand the Travel Industry
Familiarise yourself with current trends and challenges in the travel and hospitality sector, especially within the EMEA region. This knowledge will help you discuss how you can contribute to the company's strategic procurement agenda.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Be ready to discuss your approach to strategic procurement and supplier management. Think about how you would align procurement processes with brand standards while ensuring cost efficiency and guest satisfaction.
✨Highlight Digital Transformation Experience
Since the role involves leading digital transformation initiatives, be prepared to share your experiences with implementing new technologies in procurement processes. Discuss how these changes improved accuracy and efficiency in your previous roles.
