At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and grow key accounts in the travel industry while driving growth and uncovering new opportunities.
- Company: Join Whitbread, the UK's leading hospitality business with a commitment to inclusion and development.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 30% bonus, private healthcare, and discounts on stays and dining.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the travel sector while building valuable partnerships and connections.
- Qualifications: Experience in travel account management and strong commercial awareness required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career growth opportunities and a supportive workplace culture.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
At Premier Inn, we\’re looking for a commercially minded, relationship-driven Account Manager (known internally as Regional Travel Management Manager) to join our Indirect Sales team. If you\’ve got travel industry experience and a passion for building partnerships that deliver results, this is your opportunity to make a real impact. You\’ll be the key point of contact for a portfolio of Travel Management Companies (TMCs) across the UK and Ireland — managing relationships, driving growth and uncovering new opportunities. You\’ll develop account plans, lead contract renewals, and ensure we\’re hitting our commercial targets. This is a role where relationship management meets commercial strategy. You\’ll analyse data, spot trends and use your insight to influence decisions and unlock new business. You\’ll also represent Premier Inn at trade shows and industry events (3-5 per year), flying the flag for our brand and building valuable connections.
What you’ll be doing
- Manage and grow a portfolio of TMC accounts worth multiple £millions in revenue.
- Develop and execute account plans to meet growth targets.
- Identify and pursue new business opportunities within existing accounts and across the TMC landscape.
- Lead contract renewals and negotiations, working closely with the Head of Indirect Sales.
- Deliver quarterly and annual business reviews, plus monthly performance reports.
- Stay on top of industry trends, market shifts, and competitor activity — and use that insight to drive action.
- Represent Premier Inn at key trade shows and events.
Qualifications
- Travel industry experience — ideally in account management, sales, or relationship management.
- Strong commercial awareness and the ability to spot and act on opportunities.
- Confidence in using and interpreting data to identify trends and make decisions.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills — you\’ll be connecting multiple teams to get things done.
- A proactive, self-starting attitude with a passion for delivering results.
- Comfortable using Excel (advanced level) and ideally Tableau for reporting and analysis.
- Awareness of demand, pricing, and external market factors — including news and macro trends that impact business travel.
About Whitbread
We’re Whitbread — the UK\’s leading hospitality business. With over 1,200 hotels and restaurants and 38,000 team members, we’re proud to serve over 5 million guests every month. We’ve been recognised as a Top Employer for 14 years running, and we’re committed to building a workplace where everyone can thrive.
Benefits
- Up to 30% bonus OTE (45% capped)
- Private healthcare
- Up to 10% matched pension
- Up to 60% discount on Premier Inn stays + 25% off our restaurant brands
- A workplace that champions inclusion, development and wellbeing
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Travel Management Account Manager - Dunstable employer: Premier Inn
Contact Detail:
Premier Inn Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Travel Management Account Manager - Dunstable
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events and trade shows where you can meet potential employers and other professionals. Don’t be shy; introduce yourself and chat about your passion for travel management. Building those connections can open doors to opportunities you might not find online.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your data skills! Since the role involves analysing trends and making decisions based on data, be ready to discuss your experience with tools like Excel and Tableau. Bring examples of how you've used data to drive results in past roles — it’ll make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews by knowing your stuff! Research Premier Inn and their competitors, and be ready to discuss market trends and how they impact the travel industry. This shows you're proactive and genuinely interested in the role, which is a big plus.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Premier Inn. Don’t forget to tailor your application to highlight your relationship management skills and commercial awareness!
We think you need these skills to ace Travel Management Account Manager - Dunstable
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience that match the job description. Highlight your travel industry experience and any relevant account management roles to show us you’re the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about this role. Share specific examples of how you've built relationships and driven growth in previous positions — we love a good story!
Show Off Your Data Skills: Since data analysis is key for this role, mention any experience you have with Excel or Tableau. Give us examples of how you've used data to spot trends and make decisions in your past roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Premier Inn
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Account Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your commercial awareness. Brush up on key metrics related to the travel industry and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive growth in previous roles. This shows you can spot trends and make informed decisions.
✨Build Rapport
Relationship management is crucial for this role. Before the interview, think of ways to connect with your interviewer. Perhaps share a relevant experience where you successfully built a partnership or resolved a conflict. This will highlight your interpersonal skills and ability to manage stakeholders.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you'd handle specific situations, like contract negotiations or identifying new business opportunities. Prepare examples from your past experiences that showcase your problem-solving skills and proactive attitude. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Stay Updated on Industry Trends
Show your passion for the travel industry by being aware of current trends and market shifts. Research recent news articles or reports about the travel sector and be prepared to discuss how these might impact Premier Inn. This demonstrates your commitment and insight into the role.