At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead B2B trade growth and develop partnerships in the travel industry.
- Company: Serenity Holidays, a respected independent tour operator.
- Benefits: Shape the future of trade strategy and enjoy a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Exciting opportunities for career growth and industry networking.
- Why this job: Make a direct impact on business growth while working in a dynamic travel sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in trade sales or account management, strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Serenity Holidays is a long-established independent specialist tour operator with leading brands across The Gambia, Cape Verde, Corsica, Sardinia, and Goa. As we continue to grow our trade partnerships and expand into new markets, we are looking for an ambitious and commercially driven Trade & Distribution Development Manager to help shape and accelerate our B2B strategy. This is a high-impact role with real ownership, offering the opportunity to influence the direction of our trade channel and drive measurable business growth.
The Role
As Trade & Distribution Development Manager, you will lead the development and growth of Serenity Holidays’ B2B and trade distribution channels across the UK travel industry. You’ll be responsible for strengthening relationships with key consortia and agency partners, reactivating dormant accounts, driving new business opportunities, and delivering innovative trade marketing initiatives that generate revenue and passenger growth. This role combines strategic business development with hands-on account management and trade engagement.
Key Responsibilities
- Trade Growth & Business Development
- Drive trade revenue and passenger growth across key agency partnerships
- Develop and execute outbound business development campaigns to reactivate dormant agents
- Build tailored sales and marketing plans for top-performing agents and consortia
- Identify new trade partnerships and other third-party distribution opportunities
- Maintain competitive trade positioning
- Agent Relationships & Engagement
- Manage relationships with major travel consortia and agency groups including Hays, Advantage, Midcounties, Travel Counsellors, AITO, and TTNG
- Deliver webinars, training sessions, and educational events
- Coordinate joint marketing campaigns and co-funded trade activities
- Support agents with product training and sales tools to improve conversion
- Onboarding of new third party distribution partners
- Trade Marketing & Communications
- Oversee trade communications across email, webinars, social media, digital campaigns, and trade press
- Develop incentives, selling guides, educational content, and trade publications
- Use CRM and booking data to create targeted, personalised campaigns
- Commercial & Reporting
- Produce monthly trade performance reports and scorecards
- Monitor booking trends, agent contribution, and commission spend
- Manage commercial agreements and annual contracting with key partners
- Internal Collaboration & Administration
- Oversee the trade inbox and telephone support
- Support trade invoicing, contracting, reconciliations, and database management
- Work closely with Marketing, Product, Finance, and Sales teams to align business objectives
- Champion CRM adoption and improved reporting processes
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for a commercially minded relationship-builder who thrives in a fast-paced travel environment. You will ideally have:
- Experience in trade sales, business development, or account management within travel or a related industry
- Strong commercial awareness and experience managing ROI-driven campaigns
- Excellent relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills
- Confidence delivering presentations, webinars, and training sessions
- Experience using CRM systems and interpreting sales/performance data
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
- A proactive, resilient, and target-driven mindset
- Willingness to travel across the UK for trade events, conferences, and partner meetings
Why Join Serenity Holidays?
- Opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of our trade strategy
- Join a growing and highly respected specialist tour operator
- Work within a collaborative and entrepreneurial environment
- Build strong industry relationships and make a direct commercial impact
- Be part of an exciting phase of growth and expansion
Apply Now
If you’re passionate about travel, commercially driven, and ready to take ownership of a high-profile trade role, we’d love to hear from you. Please send your CV and a short cover letter explaining why you are the perfect person for this exciting opportunity.
B2B Trade Growth Leader – Travel in Southampton employer: Serenity Holidays
At Serenity Holidays, we pride ourselves on being a long-established independent tour operator that fosters a collaborative and entrepreneurial work culture. As a B2B Trade Growth Leader, you will have the unique opportunity to shape our trade strategy while building strong relationships within the travel industry, all in a supportive environment that encourages personal and professional growth. Join us to make a direct impact in a company that values innovation and is poised for exciting expansion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land B2B Trade Growth Leader – Travel in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks at trade events, webinars, and conferences. Building relationships is key in the travel sector, so don’t be shy – introduce yourself and make those connections!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to present or lead a training session, make it count. Share your knowledge and insights about the travel industry, and let your passion shine through. This will help you stand out as a go-to person in the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive in reaching out to potential partners. Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you; create them! Develop tailored pitches for dormant accounts and new agents, showcasing how your strategies can drive their success.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep your finger on the pulse of the industry. Stay updated on trends and changes in the travel market, and use this knowledge to inform your strategies. This will not only help you in conversations but also position you as a knowledgeable leader in B2B trade growth.
We think you need these skills to ace B2B Trade Growth Leader – Travel in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your trade sales and business development experience, as well as any relevant achievements in the travel industry.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Trade & Distribution Development Manager role. Be specific about your passion for travel and how you can contribute to Serenity Holidays' growth.
Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills:Since this role involves managing relationships with key partners, make sure to include examples of how you've successfully built and maintained professional relationships in your previous 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 regarding your application status.
How to prepare for a job interview at Serenity Holidays
✨Know Your Trade Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re well-versed in the travel industry, especially regarding B2B trade growth. Familiarise yourself with Serenity Holidays’ brands and their market positioning. This will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to their growth strategy.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully built and maintained relationships in previous roles. Highlight specific instances where your efforts led to increased sales or improved partnerships. This is crucial for a role focused on agent relationships and engagement.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Innovative Ideas
Think about innovative trade marketing initiatives you could propose. Be prepared to discuss how you would reactivate dormant accounts or develop tailored sales plans for top agents. Showing that you can think outside the box will impress the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Your Data Savvy
Since the role involves using CRM systems and interpreting sales data, brush up on your analytical skills. Be ready to discuss how you’ve used data to drive business decisions in the past. This will show that you can manage commercial agreements and monitor performance effectively.
