At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape our global hotel portfolio, driving commercial success and building strong partnerships.
- Company: Join British Airways Holidays, a leader in creating unforgettable travel experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days holiday, flexible hours, travel discounts, and private medical cover.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the travel industry with an iconic brand backing your decisions.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying and negotiation within the travel sector is essential.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 ÂŁ per year.
Come and be part of our next adventure Hybrid – Crawley (2 days p/w)
Who we are
At British Airways Holidays, we don’t just sell holidays — we create memories. Whether it’s hand‑picked hotels, curated car hire, or unforgettable experiences, we help our customers make the most of their time away. And it all starts with our people. We’re a thriving business, passionate about travel and part of IAG Loyalty, the people behind the global loyalty currency Avios. Each business has its own goals, strategy and team, but collectively we share a purpose to create the world’s most rewarding experiences for our customers through holidays, loyalty programmes and new products. We’re on a truly exciting journey of growth and transformation.
Destination Manager – Shape the future of our global hotel portfolio
At British Airways Holidays, our Destination Team sits at the very heart of the business. The hotels we choose, the partnerships we build, and the destinations we develop are fundamental to the success of our iconic brand. As a Destination Manager you will take full accountability for your region — shaping it end‑to‑end, defining the buying and supplier strategy, and driving commercial performance with the backing, scale and stability of one of the world’s most prestigious travel brands.
Why this role is different
- True ownership – you own your region from strategy through to delivery.
- High business impact – your decisions directly influence profitability, customer experience and the strength of our global portfolio.
- End‑to‑end accountability – from sourcing and selection to negotiation, performance management and product quality.
- Iconic brand backing – negotiate and build with the weight, credibility and long‑term stability of British Airways Holidays behind you.
- Partnership, not transactions – you’ll negotiate hard, but always with a long‑term, relationship‑led mindset.
What you’ll be doing
- Own and implement the buying and supplier strategy for your region, ensuring it delivers against commercial, quality and customer objectives.
- Identify, develop and introduce new hotel partners and destination product that unlock commercial opportunity.
- Build and manage strong, long‑term partnerships with hotel suppliers – balancing commercial negotiation with trust and collaboration.
- Secure optimum commercial terms, delivered on time and fully aligned with our Health, Fire & Safety and legal requirements.
- Work closely with Yield Management to maximise profitability, using booking data, web analytics, competitor insight and inventory performance.
- Represent British Airways Holidays in a professional and confident manner, both in the UK and overseas.
- Lead and inspire your team, setting clear standards, direction and pace.
What you’ll bring
- A strong track record of buying, negotiation and commercial delivery within the travel industry.
- Experience with hotel connectivity an advantage.
- Proven experience of managing destination or product portfolios end‑to‑end.
- The drive and commercial instinct to spot opportunities, pursue them creatively, and maximise value for your region.
- Credibility and gravitas to negotiate at senior levels, while building lasting, mutually beneficial partnerships.
- A collaborative leadership style that develops teams and brings stakeholders with you.
- Strong analytical capability, using data to inform decisions and shape commercial outcomes.
- Excellent influencing, problem‑solving and judgement skills in a fast‑paced, multi‑layered environment.
- A passion for quality, with a constant focus on standards, safety and brand reputation.
- Willingness to travel and represent the business internationally.
- A full UK driving licence and confidence driving abroad.
- The ability to work from our Crawley office at least two days a week.
Why British Airways Holidays?
You’ll be trusted to lead, empowered to decide, and supported by the strength, scale and stability of an iconic global brand. If you’re looking for a role where your expertise truly shapes outcomes — and where the partnerships you build today will define success for years to come — this is that opportunity.
What we can offer you
- 26 days holiday a year, increasing by one day for every two complete years’ service, to a maximum of 30 days — plus bank holidays.
- With the option to buy or sell 5 more.
- Unlimited standby and premium standby fares for you and your nominees (on the BA network and partner airlines) from day one.
- Holiday and flight discounts for you, friends, and family from day one.
- Flexible working hours.
- Annual bonus based on company and individual performance.
- Pension contributions (6% company / 3% employee).
- Private medical and dental cover with BUPA.
- Paid options to cover partner and children.
- Enhanced Primary and Co‑Parent Leave.
- Enjoy up to 20 days working in Europe a calendar year under our hybrid working policy.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Electric/ULEV car scheme.
- Ability to purchase Avios from salary at a discounted rate.
- Wellbeing and recognition programmes to support and celebrate you.
What Makes Us Special
You do! Our people bring the energy, the warmth, and the ideas that make British Airways Holidays extraordinary. As we grow, you’ll have the chance to grow too — with real opportunities to develop your skills and your career.
Diversity, equality & inclusion
Diversity, equality & inclusion are all important to us. We believe a diverse and inclusive workplace contributes to our sense of wellbeing and belonging, enabling us all to thrive professionally and personally.
We aim to be inclusive – everyone feels valued and respected as an individual. We aim to ensure equality and equity – everyone treated fairly as individuals with recognition of unique differences. We aim to be diverse – with a mix of colleagues representing our community.
Closing date for applications is 1st February. Please note - we may close this vacancy early if we receive lots of applications or business priorities change. Our offices are based in central Crawley and we offer hybrid working (within the UK only). Generally, this role works from our offices twice a week, with additional days as needed depending on meetings etc. Office days are coordinated so that colleagues in the same team are in the office together to collaborate in person. We usually support new colleagues in the office full time for the training period and you adopt our hybrid working model once you are fully ready.
Destination Manager in Crawley employer: British Airways
Contact Detail:
British Airways Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Destination Manager in Crawley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the travel industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even reach out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching British Airways Holidays and understanding their values. Think about how your experience aligns with their mission of creating memorable holidays. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven commercial success in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your negotiation skills! During interviews, be prepared to discuss how you've successfully built long-term partnerships in the past. Highlight your ability to balance commercial interests with relationship-building — that’s what they’re looking for!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the British Airways Holidays team. Let’s make those holiday dreams come true together!
We think you need these skills to ace Destination Manager in Crawley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Travel: When writing your application, let your love for travel shine through! Share experiences that highlight your enthusiasm for creating memorable holidays and how you can contribute to our mission at British Airways Holidays.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your background aligns with the role of Destination Manager and how you can drive commercial performance.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities of the role. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at British Airways
✨Know Your Destination
Before the interview, research British Airways Holidays and its destination offerings. Familiarise yourself with their hotel partners and any recent developments in their portfolio. This will show your genuine interest and help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations you've successfully led, especially in the travel industry. Highlight how you balanced commercial interests with building long-term partnerships. This is crucial for a role that requires strong negotiation skills and relationship management.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Brush up on your analytical skills and be ready to discuss how you've used data to inform your decisions in previous roles. Be prepared to talk about specific metrics or tools you've used to drive commercial performance, as this aligns with the expectations for the Destination Manager position.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Style
Think about your leadership approach and how it aligns with British Airways Holidays' values. Be ready to share examples of how you've inspired teams and collaborated with stakeholders. This will help convey your ability to lead effectively in a fast-paced environment.