Head of Product & Operations - Cycling

This is a hybrid role based in our Manchester, UK office with some flexibility for homeworking, so you must live within a commutable distance.

Destination Sport Experiences, through its global sports travel brands Marathon Tours & Travel and Sportive Breaks, caters for those who want to participate in the very best cycling and running events across the world. All three brands offer tours, travel packages, and guaranteed entry to marathons and cycling events around the world, together with VIP hospitality access to many of the top professional cycling events, as well as managing travel programs for mass participation events on behalf of charities, companies, and groups throughout the year. We are a proud partner of many of the Abbott World Marathon Majors and work closely with major sports events organizers across the globe. The team behind Destination Sport Experiences regularly participates in running and cycling events, as well as helping to manage events and support our clients on their journey through each event, so we understand the needs of those traveling with us.

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

• Line manage the cycling product team, consisting of 3 Product Managers covering around 45 products and be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Sportive Breaks operation.
• Be a part of the UK senior management team, working with marketing, sales, systems, and operations to form strategic plans and achieve departmental objectives.
• Lead on website content creation and make contributions to written content in the form of web content writing, blog post creation, and itinerary writing.
• Negotiate contracts with suppliers, partners, and vendors to secure favourable terms.
• Identify opportunities for new product development.
• Carry out staff management tasks including staff reviews & objective setting, holiday request management, expenses approval & regular one-to-ones with all direct reports.
• Improve current processes where necessary regarding systems and shared resources such as contracting, health and safety, website content, and costings.
• Oversee the purchasing function to provide the best deal for our customers.
• Form, develop, and maintain strong relationships with local operators, hoteliers, coach companies, and all other suppliers.
• Assist the marketing department to create and source content for all campaigns.
• Work with internal & external staff & suppliers to the highest standard of quality, sustainability & safety.
• Perform market research & analysis.
• Attend events - meet with customers & suppliers in the field. Review & implement change if necessary.

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

• Have extensive product experience specifically in planning cycling tours and events.
• Have a real passion for our core offering and industry.
• Show confidence in developing and managing own products from initial planning and budgeting through to launch and execution specifically for travel-related products or services.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of travel, and experience working in sports travel.
• Have previous experience in organizing logistics for large-scale sports events both domestically and outside of the UK, ensuring smooth operations for participants and attendees.
• Demonstrate strong negotiation skills with the ability to work closely with suppliers, partners, and vendors to secure favourable terms.
• Have proven experience in managing and developing a team.
• Demonstrate proven ability to streamline existing processes for better efficiency and cost-effectiveness, especially in complex logistics like travel planning for sports events.
• Have exceptional planning and event management skills.
• Be a self-starter with a proactive approach to tasks.
• Demonstrate impeccable communication skills both written and verbal.
• Show outstanding relationship-building skills with a focus on delivering great customer service.
• Have strong negotiation skills with the ability to communicate at all levels.
• Be computer literate with strong experience of Microsoft Office packages including Excel, Word & Teams.
• Be able to travel both domestically & internationally for work purposes.

So if you have a passion for sports, and are looking for your next challenge, take a look and get in touch we'd love to hear from you!