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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic sales team and drive innovative strategies in the travel industry.
- Company: Reputable tour operator with a strong presence in the long-haul market.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, performance bonuses, and generous holiday discounts.
- Why this job: Join a supportive culture and make a real impact in the travel sector.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in sales within the travel industry.
- Other info: Enjoy regular social events and a community-focused work environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Established, reputable Tour Operator are seeking an experienced Head of Trade Sales to join their successful senior leadership team. The Head of Trade Sales will be responsible for driving the overall sales strategy for the company across the UK trade market. This includes leading and developing a team of three Business Development Managers, managing sales performance across all regions, providing strategic direction, and ensuring strong alignment between field activity, digital channels, product priorities, and wider business goals. The role holder will nurture key trade relationships, represent the brand at a senior level across the industry, and play a critical role in ensuring the company maintains and grows its position as a trusted long-haul specialist.
With a very competitive salary (negotiable) and a comprehensive benefits package, you will work on a hybrid basis; the office is near Cambridge 3 days a week.
JOB DESCRIPTION- 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 of delivery are met across all territories.
- Support BDMs during key meetings, events, and supplier engagements as needed.
- 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, and ensuring that trade marketing and sales activity remains within budget.
- Drive initiatives that grow market share, maximise revenue, and enhance brand presence.
- Provide regular insights, reporting, and recommendations to the Board of Directors.
- Be responsible for managing and maximising sales from national accounts.
- Negotiate commercial agreements, which include 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 the UK travel industry dynamics, competitor performance, and commercial trends.
- Act as the conduit between the sales team and internal departments, feeding back market intelligence to the product, marketing, commercial, and operations teams.
- Planning and overseeing trade events, roadshows, fam trips, and conferences.
- Representing the company at key conferences, trade exhibitions, and overseas educational trips.
We are seeking an experienced Head of Trade Sales or Head Of Sales from a Tour Operator background. Significant leadership experience within the travel industry, ideally within a tour operator or trade-facing environment. 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.
PACKAGE- Very competitive salary
- Hybrid working - 3 days office, 2 days remote - Cambridge
- Hours are 37.5 per week from Monday to Friday from 9am-5.30pm
- The role requires some travel to include relevant attendance at industry events, agency meetings, conferences, training sessions, and occasional overseas trips
- Working from home 2 days per week
- Performance related bonus
- Annual company profit share bonus
- Great discounts on your own holidays (plus generous friends and family discounts)
- 25 days holiday plus UK bank holidays
- Standard Life Pension with enhanced employer contribution
- Regular social events: Summer Party, Christmas Party, Quiz nights, brochure launches and a social fund to spend on team building events
- Become part of the family and experience a supportive company culture that fosters teamwork and cross-department collaboration
- Free onsite Parking
- Annual Volunteer in your Community Day
Please follow the instructions to apply attaching your CV. This vacancy is being managed by Katy Gaskell.
Head Of Trade Sales 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
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, conferences, and trade shows to meet key players in the travel sector. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your experience in leading teams and driving sales growth. They want to see how you can motivate others.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to discuss data! Brush up on your ability to interpret sales performance data and identify trends. Employers love candidates who can back their strategies with solid insights.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals like you. Don’t hesitate to submit your CV and let us help you land that dream role in the travel industry.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Of Trade Sales
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored 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 and develop teams!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share your passion for the travel industry and how your skills align with our goals. Remember, this is your chance to shine!
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since the role involves analysing sales performance data, make sure to mention any experience you have with data interpretation and strategy development. We love candidates who can turn numbers into actionable insights!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Don’t miss out!
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 metrics. Brush up on key KPIs relevant to the travel industry and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive growth in previous roles.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in managing teams. Think about specific instances where you motivated your team or implemented strategies that led to measurable success.
✨Understand the Market
Familiarise yourself with current trends in the UK travel industry. Be prepared to discuss competitors and market dynamics, as well as how you would position the company as a trusted long-haul specialist.
✨Build Relationships
Since nurturing trade relationships is key, think of ways you've successfully built partnerships in the past. Be ready to share your approach to maintaining strong connections with travel agencies and how you plan to enhance these relationships in this role.
