Business Support Manager, UK&I in Woking

A key operational role within the Sales and Commercial teams with responsibility to ensure effective implementation of commercial activities across the UK&I Azamara team. The Business Support Manager works closely with the Strategic Account Managers and the US Commercial & Business Manager on implementing and communicating forward strategies and sales support to the team. This is an autonomous job and requires the ability to run agendas, make decisions, and determine priorities for the benefit of Azamara Cruises UK & I.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Create, communicate and execute all tactical trade promotions, working closely with Marketing to agree approach to trade communications.
• Oversee the co-op approval process with the sales team, including reviewing and signing off creative pieces through the sales & marketing toolkit.
• Manage all trade incentive programmes and their communications, operation and financial administration. This includes Azamara Rewards agent incentive programme and any ad hoc incentive initiatives such as 'Sell & Sail' etc.
• Provide support to the UK & I Sales team and new members of the UK team for Azamara Cruises.
• Key point person for all trade queries for Azamara Cruises, working with other departments to reach resolution. This includes supporting the various trading phonelines and email inboxes.
• Support Field sales team in execution of channel strategies, managing relevant communications, producing supporting materials, attending and supporting trade events.
• Support Business Development initiatives, brand and product communications, team initiatives that require operational oversight.
• Source/validate deals and offers for trade partners and press, agreeing on the distribution of offers across trade partners on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.
• Maintain up to date commercial policy documents including pricing strategy, group & nett rates.
• Oversee operational support for Tour Operator agreements, working with Call centre team to ensure the smooth execution of trading arrangements with tour operators. Assist with resolution of any issues & queries.
• Act as key point person with call centre for the communication of itinerary changes and customer service resolution where disruption has occurred.
• Coordinate and provide feedback to key stakeholders on competitor activity to enable the organization to make informed business decisions.
• Work closely with the operations team to ensure that client needs are understood and met. Be able to use the RezA & SW Main systems to help in resolving customer issues.
• Support & manage special events as needed including trade partner advisory panel and Azamara Cruises representation at consumer cruise shows.
• Provide support to local Directors as appropriate, including managing travel and running meeting logistics.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to perform any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor or management.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

• All Azamara, UK and Ireland Team, INTL Sales Team, Business Support Manager INTL, CSO International.
• Miami Stakeholders including Revenue Management team, NA Sales Planning, other key Miami staff as needed.

EXPERIENCE / KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

• Team Player.
• Be enthusiastic and enjoy working in a small team with different daily challenges.
• Efficient & well organised.
• Excellent user knowledge of Seaware.
• Excellent Product knowledge of Azamara.
• Experience and knowledge of Cruise & Travel industry.
• Excellent relationship building skills both internal and external.
• Enthusiastic and excellent telephone skills.
• Highly motivated and positive 'can do' attitude.
• Good communication skills both written and verbal.
• Computer literate and strong Excel / Word & PowerPoint knowledge.
• Thinks outside the box, good at identifying problems and solutions.