At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead business development for online travel agencies across EMEA and build strategic partnerships.
- Company: Join Sabre, a tech leader transforming the travel industry with AI-driven solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible work options, and generous PTO to support your lifestyle.
- Other info: Dynamic, inclusive culture with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make an impact in travel tech while collaborating with global teams and C-level executives.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in travel tech sales, strong negotiation skills, and fluency in English.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Powering the agentic revolution in travel. Sabre is an AI-native technology leader, backed by one of the world’s largest travel data clouds. Built on an open, modular, cloud-native architecture, Sabre serves as the backbone for both established leaders and bold, new disruptors, guiding them to the next age of travel retailing through intelligent, connected, and personalized experiences. With AI at its core and operating at unparalleled scale, Sabre transforms insights into innovation, empowering airlines, hoteliers, agencies and other partners to retail, distribute and fulfill travel worldwide.
We are seeking a Principal Business Development Manager – Online Travel Agencies, EMEA to join our global Travel Marketplace team, where innovation knows no borders. This team connects travel buyers and suppliers across the globe with high-performing technology, rich content and scalable platform solutions. It turns complex distribution challenges into clear growth paths for online travel agencies and industry partners worldwide. With an inclusive culture and flexible work environment, we work together with boldness, curiosity and commitment so we can all win together.
As Principal Business Development Manager, you will lead new business acquisitions across the EMEA online travel agency sector. You will identify target prospects, build high-value commercial relationships and secure strategic technology partnerships that expand Sabre's regional footprint. This role demands strong commercial drive, deep travel tech insight and the confidence to challenge traditional distribution models.
What you'll do
- Lead end-to-end sales pursuits to acquire high-growth online travel agency partners across the EMEA region.
- Build strong relationships with C-level executives to position Sabre solutions like APIs and New Distribution Capability content.
- Negotiate complex commercial agreements that drive long-term revenue growth and expand market share.
- Partner with product, operations and solution engineering teams to align technical capabilities with customer needs.
- Use generative AI and sales automation tools to accelerate prospect research, optimize pipeline tracking and increase sales velocity.
- Drive regional market analysis to identify emerging travel trends, competitor movements and untapped commercial opportunities.
- Represent Sabre at industry events and trade shows to build pipeline and elevate brand presence across EMEA.
What you'll bring
- Minimum 8 years of experience in commercial sales or business development within travel technology, SaaS or online travel.
- Proven track record of securing new enterprise accounts and consistently exceeding revenue targets.
- Deep knowledge of GDS technology, online travel agency business models, APIs and digital travel distribution.
- Strong negotiation, contract structuring and executive-level stakeholder management skills.
- Practical experience using generative AI and sales analytics tools to improve prospecting and commercial workflows.
- Fluency in English, with professional proficiency in an additional European language preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate across multicultural, matrixed global teams to close complex commercial deals.
Benefits that support you
We know support looks different for everyone. That is why Sabre offers benefits beyond medical and financial coverage, with programs designed to support your well-being, growth and life outside work:
- Competitive pay and performance-based bonuses
- Flexible work options
- Comprehensive healthcare coverage
- Generous PTO and holidays
- Strong retirement planning support
- Family-friendly benefits
- Professional development opportunities
We will give careful consideration to your application and review your details against the position criteria. You will receive separate notification as your application progresses. Please note that only candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the role will proceed in the selection process.
Principal Business Development Manager – Online Travel Agencies, EMEA in Richmond employer: Sabre Holdings
At Sabre, we are not just a technology leader; we are a community that thrives on innovation and collaboration. As an Account Director in our Richmond office, you will enjoy a flexible work environment that prioritises your well-being and professional growth, alongside competitive pay and comprehensive benefits. Join us to build impactful relationships and drive success in the dynamic world of corporate travel, where your contributions will be valued and recognised.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Business Development Manager – Online Travel Agencies, EMEA in Richmond
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We think you need these skills to ace Principal Business Development Manager – Online Travel Agencies, EMEA in Richmond
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In the business intelligence field, showcasing your analytical skills is a must. Make sure your CV includes relevant experience with data analysis tools, programming languages like SQL or Python, and any projects where you've interpreted complex data sets to drive business decisions.
Showcase Your Business Acumen:Don't just focus on data; show us how you can apply your insights to real-world business problems. Highlight projects where you made a tangible impact on company performance, and be prepared to explain your thought process in your cover letter.
Tailor Your Documents for Us:When applying for a full-time role at Sabre Holdings, tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect our organisational goals and strategies. Mention specific tools and methodologies that align with what we do—this shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in our mission!
Include Relevant Certifications:Certifications like Google Data Analytics or similar qualifications can really make you stand out in business intelligence. Include these in your application, as they demonstrate your commitment to the field and your willingness to stay current with industry standards.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sabre Holdings
✨Show off your analytical skills
In a business intelligence role, you're going to need to demonstrate your analytical prowess. Be prepared to discuss specific tools you've used, like SQL, Tableau, or Power BI. Have real-world examples ready where you’ve turned data into actionable insights – this is what makes us shine in interviews!
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Expect some technical questions during the interview that dive deep into your understanding of data modelling and analytics frameworks. Brush up on your knowledge of data warehousing concepts and be ready to tackle any real case scenarios they might present. They’ll want to see how you approach problems using your BI toolkit.
✨Portfolio of Projects
Since it's a full-time role, having a strong portfolio is key! Compile case studies demonstrating your previous projects, preferably showing how your insights led to business improvements. This can help us display how you think through complex datasets and your problem-solving process, which is what employers are keen on seeing.
✨Know their business model
Get familiar with Sabre Holdings’s business model and recent data-driven decisions. Be prepared to discuss how your skills can specifically support their objectives or challenges. Understanding their landscape shows that you’re not just a data buff, but you’re also genuinely interested in how BI can impact their bottom line.
