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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic sales team and drive growth in the UK travel market.
- Company: Reputable tour operator with a strong focus on collaboration and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, hybrid working, and generous holiday allowance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the travel industry while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in sales within the travel sector.
- Other info: Enjoy regular social events and opportunities for community volunteering.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Established, reputable Tour Operator is seeking an experienced Head of Trade Sales to join a senior leadership team. The Head of Trade Sales will lead and develop a team of three Business Development Managers, set sales strategy for the UK trade market, and align field activity, digital channels, product priorities, and wider business goals.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, motivate and develop the team of three Business Development Managers.
- Establish KPIs and monitor performance to drive team and business growth.
- Oversee regional sales plans and ensure consistent high standards across all territories.
- Support BDMs during key meetings, events and supplier engagements.
- Foster a collaborative, high‑performance culture across the sales function.
- Develop and implement an annual sales strategy aligned with the company's commercial priorities.
- Review and analyse sales performance data, identifying trends, challenges and opportunities for growth.
- Oversee trade sales and marketing budgets, working closely with the Senior Partnerships Manager to optimise spend and ensure activities align with strategy.
- Drive initiatives that grow market share, maximise revenue, and enhance brand presence.
- Provide regular insights, reporting and recommendations to the Board of Directors.
- Manage and maximise sales from national accounts.
- Negotiate commercial agreements, including commission levels, overrides and marketing spend.
- Lead strategic negotiations and discussions to strengthen long‑term trade partnerships.
- Support the team in initiating and nurturing relationships with travel agencies across the UK.
- Maintain deep understanding of UK travel industry dynamics, competitor performance and commercial trends.
- Act as the conduit between sales and internal departments, feeding back market intelligence to product, marketing, and operations teams.
- Plan and oversee trade events, roadshows, fam trips and conferences.
- Represent the company at key conferences, trade exhibitions and overseas educational trips.
Experience & Qualifications
- Head of Trade Sales or Head of Sales experience within a tour operator or trade‑facing environment.
- Significant leadership experience within the travel industry.
- Proven track record of managing a field‑based sales team and driving measurable sales growth.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to interpret data, identify opportunities and influence strategy.
Compensation & Benefits
- Very competitive salary (negotiable) plus performance‑related bonus and annual company profit share.
- Hybrid working – 3 days in office (near Cambridge) and 2 days remote.
- Regular social events: Summer Party, Christmas Party, Quiz nights, brochure launches and a social fund for team building.
- Free on‑site parking.
- Annual volunteer day in community.
- 25 days holiday plus UK bank holidays.
- Standard Life pension with enhanced employer contribution.
- Great discounts on own holidays and generous friends & family offers.
Application Process
If you are interested, please attach your CV and submit it through the normal application route. The vacancy is managed by Katy Gaskell – you may contact her with any questions.
Head Of Trade Sales in Cambourne employer: Travel Trade Recruitment Limited
Contact Detail:
Travel Trade Recruitment Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Of Trade Sales in Cambourne
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks at events, conferences, or even on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for the travel industry! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your enthusiasm shine through. Share your insights on market trends and how you can drive growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Know their products, values, and recent news. This will help you tailor your answers and show you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Of Trade Sales in Cambourne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Head of Trade Sales role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant achievements in the travel industry. We want to see how you can drive sales growth and lead a team!
Showcase Your Strategy Skills: In your application, don’t just list your past roles; explain how you've developed and implemented sales strategies before. We’re looking for someone who can align with our commercial priorities and make an impact!
Be Data-Driven: Since the role involves analysing sales performance data, include examples of how you've used data to identify trends and drive decisions. We love candidates who can turn numbers into actionable insights!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Travel Trade Recruitment Limited
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Trade Sales, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of sales performance data. Brush up on key metrics and trends in the travel industry, and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive growth in previous roles.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
You'll be leading a team of Business Development Managers, so it's crucial to highlight your leadership experience. Prepare examples of how you've motivated teams, set KPIs, and achieved results through collaboration and support.
✨Understand the Market
Familiarise yourself with the current dynamics of the UK travel industry. Be prepared to discuss competitors, market trends, and how you plan to enhance brand presence and grow market share for the company.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Since you'll be negotiating commercial agreements and leading strategic discussions, think about your negotiation style. Prepare examples of successful negotiations you've led and how they benefited your previous employers.
