At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform destination strategies for long or short haul travel.
- Company: Join IAG Loyalty, a dynamic organisation shaping the future of travel experiences.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and inclusion in a collaborative work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the travel industry while driving innovation and change.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in travel, product, or commercial roles.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
We’re IAG Loyalty, one organisation with two ambitious, growing divisions across Loyalty and Holidays. Each has its own goals, strategy and team, but together we’re united by a shared vision: to create a more rewarding world of travel and experiences.
Our Holidays division, including British Airways Holidays, connects customers to thousands of destinations worldwide through seamless, end to end travel experiences. Our Loyalty division is home to Avios, the global loyalty currency, enabling millions of members to collect and spend rewards across travel, retail and financial services. We’re on an exciting journey of growth and transformation.
The opportunity involves two leadership roles—Head of Long Haul and Head of Short Haul. These roles have a clear mandate to accelerate change, deliver the next phase of our destination strategies and embed new ways of working, while building on the team's strong foundations. Reporting to the Head of Product & Sourcing, you'll lead either our Long Haul or Short Haul destination portfolio, its strategic portfolio management and sourcing strategy.
Working closely with your Destination Head of counterpart and the broader leadership team, you will lead your team through this transformation, ensuring they are commercially focused, customer-led, adaptable and aligned to the evolving Product & Sourcing operating model.
What you’ll get up to:
- Drive growth and portfolio performance: Lead destination strategies for your area, defining where the biggest growth opportunities lie and turning market, product and commercial insight into clear priorities.
- Lead commercial strategy and partnerships: Shape contracting approaches, challenging existing methods and identifying the most efficient and commercially effective ways to secure product.
- Lead a team through the next stage of transformation: Lead and develop a high-performing team, creating clarity, pace and accountability while guiding people through ongoing change.
What we need from you:
- Leadership and change: You’ll be an experienced people leader, capable of bringing teams together around a shared direction and creating momentum in a changing environment.
- Commercial and strategic leadership: You’ll bring a strong commercial mindset, with a track record of delivering measurable growth across sales, profit, margin or portfolio performance.
- Influence and stakeholder management: You’ll be a credible senior leader, able to build trust quickly and communicate with authority both internally and externally.
- Experience and mindset: You’ll have held a senior destinations, product, sourcing or commercial leadership role within travel.
Diversity and Inclusion: Our vision is to create a more rewarding world of travel and experiences. Delivering that requires diverse thinking and inclusive leadership. We are committed to building a workplace where people feel they belong and are valued for their perspective.
Head of Destination Growth — Long or Short Haul in Crawley employer: British Airways Holidays
As a leading player in the travel industry, our company offers an exceptional work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. Based in Crawley, we provide flexible working arrangements that allow you to balance office and home life while being part of a dynamic team dedicated to transforming the holidays experience for our customers. With a strong focus on employee development, diversity, and the integration of cutting-edge technology, we empower our staff to thrive and grow within a culture that values creativity and strategic thinking.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Destination Growth — Long or Short Haul in Crawley
✨Get Involved in Local Travel Events
Join local tourism fairs or travel expos in your area. These events are a treasure trove for networking, and you can often meet hiring managers from companies like British Airways Holidays who are looking for fresh talent for roles like Head of Destination Growth — Long or Short Haul.
✨Showcase Your Travel Know-How
Create a travel blog or use social media to share your experiences and insights about different destinations. This can help you stand out to recruiters in the travel industry, demonstrating your passion for the sector and your ability to engage with an audience.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your School
Check out alumni groups linked to the travel and tourism sectors. Often, these connections can lead to inside info about opportunities at companies like British Airways Holidays and give you a leg up for your Head of Destination Growth — Long or Short Haul application.
✨Don’t Shy Away from Cold Emails
If there's a dream company you want to join, don’t hesitate to send a friendly email to their HR or recruitment team. Express your interest in their vision and mention that you’re keen on any Head of Destination Growth — Long or Short Haul openings they might have. It's a bold move, but it might just pay off!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Destination Growth — Long or Short Haul in Crawley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Travel:In the travel and tourism industry, your love for exploration and different cultures should shine through in your application. Make sure to share personal anecdotes or experiences that highlight your enthusiasm for travel—this can really set you apart when applying for the Head of Destination Growth — Long or Short Haul role at British Airways Holidays.
Highlight Your Customer Service Skills:Customer service is king in travel and tourism. When detailing your work experience, focus on situations where you provided outstanding service or resolved customer issues, as this demonstrates your ability to ensure client satisfaction. Include specific examples in your CV to show that you're ready to face the challenges of the Head of Destination Growth — Long or Short Haul position at British Airways Holidays.
Keep Your CV Travel-Themed:When it comes to CV conventions in the travel industry, think of including any relevant certifications or training you've completed, like first aid or tour guiding courses. If you've travelled widely yourself, don't hesitate to mention that—it's all about showing your background fits the globetrotting vibe of British Airways Holidays.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not only explain why you're a great fit but also reflect your personality! Use this space to express what excites you about the travel sector and how you can contribute to British Airways Holidays's adventures. Share any unique perspectives or ideas you have to enhance the travel experience, especially as a full-time Head of Destination Growth — Long or Short Haul.
How to prepare for a job interview at British Airways Holidays
✨Show Off Your Travel Knowledge
For a role in travel and tourism, it’s vital to demonstrate your knowledge of different destinations, cultures, and travel trends. Brush up on popular destinations and recent changes in travel restrictions. We suggest bringing some interesting travel stories or experiences to share—this can help you connect personally with the interviewer!
✨Prepare for Customer Scenarios
Expect to be hit with customer service scenarios during the interview. They might ask how you'd handle a challenging traveller or resolve a booking issue. Think of a few real-life examples from your experiences, even if they’re just from customer service roles. This will show that you're ready for the field and have the right mindset to tackle on-the-ground challenges!
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Passion
In a full-time travel position, there are often irregular hours and spontaneous travel opportunities. Be sure to convey your flexibility and willingness to embrace the unpredictable nature of this industry. Let’s showcase that enthusiasm for travel and how it drives your decision-making!
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Get familiar with travel booking systems and tools, such as Amadeus or Sabre. If you have experience using any specific software or even social media for travel promotions, bring that up! We want to show that you can hit the ground running and adapt quickly to their processes at British Airways Holidays.
