Accommodation Lead - Sport Event Travel in Gloucester

This is a hybrid role based in our Gloucester office, you must live within a commutable distance. As part of Destination Sport Group ("DSG"), Mike Burton creates and delivers major brand, customer and revenue focused ticketing and travel programmes around the globe, working in direct partnership with organisations that include the British & Irish Lions and England Rugby.

We are looking for an Accommodation Coordination Lead to join our team to lead on the procurement, co-ordination and delivery of the company’s accommodation and meeting and events (M&E) products across the full range of events and projects operated by the company. In addition, the team leader will be required to provide support, guidance and direction to the accommodation team on a day-to-day basis.

No two days are the same in this broad role but on a typical day you will:

• Assist and support the Accommodation & Ground Transport Manager with the development of the accommodation and meeting and events (M&E) products for each project in line with agreed timescales and financial and operational targets.
• Research, source, negotiate and carry out supplier contracting, ensuring adherence to preferred terms, conditions and payments, possessing an understanding of the commercial and financial implications for supplier agreements.
• Negotiate pricing, added value deals and special offers with suppliers, ensuring that the MBG and all partner brands are known to improve buying and negotiation power within the industry.
• Produce reports, analyse data and prepare presentations as required.
• Competitor and supplier awareness, undertaking regular and detailed analysis of products and costs.
• Assist the Accommodation & Ground Transport Manager with internal service delivery, system efficiencies and service quality.
• Attend and lead the delivery of the companies’ event portfolio to ensure successful operational delivery of services procured, playing an integral role in seeing events through from sourcing to fulfilment.
• Conduct regular worldwide familiarisation trips and overseas supplier meetings where required.
• Support the Accommodation & Ground Transport Manager with developing and implementing a detailed supplier engagement strategy; building supplier relationships, attending external meetings, relevant trade shows and overseas travel as required.
• Support the Accommodation & Ground Transport Manager with coaching and encouraging the team to improve their personal performance and customer service delivery.
• Provide day to day support, guidance and direction to members of the team to ensure that all financial and operational targets are achieved.
• Ensure clear communication takes place internally and externally, developing effective and productive relationships with all internal departments.
• Participate in specific event planning, product development and other relevant meetings as required.
• Assist the Accommodation & Ground Transport Manager with establishing and maintaining accurate and reliable financial information and reports.
• Be responsible for ensuring client bookings are processed through Tourplan in a timely manner (across all team requirements).
• Deputise for the Accommodation & Ground Transport Manager where required.
• Any other duties reasonably required.

To be successful within this role, our ideal candidate will:

• Have experience working in accommodation operations (within a sports travel setting would be desirable but isn’t essential).
• Be self-motivated and proactive, with a "can do" approach and a high level of attention to detail, initiative and persistence.
• Have outstanding organisational skills with proven ability to manage time and prioritise tasks to deliver when working under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Possess strong communication skills (written and verbal) are essential.
• Have excellent budget management.
• Have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office programmes (Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Be accurate and flexible, can work independently with minimal to no supervision.
• Be a team player with a track record of building strong, effective working relationships.
• Experience in leading.
• Have the ability to think logically and consider all relevant aspects with strong analytical skills.

In return we offer:

• The opportunity to work with world class professional sporting clubs.
• Hybrid working model.
• Highly competitive salary.
• Guaranteed day off on your birthday.
• The opportunity to sample top level hospitality packages at stadiums across the world.
• Supplier hosted networking events.
• Company funded parties.
• Opportunity for progression.
• Funded training.
• Access to wellness hub with various discounts including discounted gyms & retail providers.
• Access to discounted hotels & sporting event tickets.