At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic partnerships and drive global growth for high-value clients in the travel industry.
- Company: Join WebBeds, a leader in the travel sector with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities to work with global partners.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for leadership and career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact by shaping global strategies and building meaningful partnerships.
- Qualifications: 5-7 years in strategic account management, preferably in travel or hospitality.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
What you will do on your journey with WebBeds. As a Strategic Account Director, Global Chains, you will play a key ownership role responsible for the end-to-end relationship and commercial management of WebBeds' most strategic, high-value global chain partner(s), specifically those generating over €100M EUR in annual cost. You will define and execute a collaborative global strategy with these high-value partners to drive substantial incremental business opportunities, significantly expand our market share worldwide, and maximize overall growth, thereby ensuring WebBeds remains the indispensable partner of choice through consistent value delivery.
This position requires an agile, commercially focused professional with a strong background in strategic account management and/or contracting within the travel industry, who has a proven passion for building meaningful, high-impact global partnerships and delivering ambitious commercial results.
In this role you will:
- Global Strategy Development: Define targeted, data-driven action plans and design a multi-year strategy roadmap for each partner to achieve ambitious Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), drive substantial incremental business, and significantly increase WebBeds’ global market share.
- High-Value Negotiation: Lead complex, strategic contract and commercial (re)negotiations with global chain leadership, ensuring agreements are executed within specified deadlines to secure the best possible commercial terms (including exclusive deals, value-adds, and overrides) that maximize mutual profitability.
- Portfolio Growth: Strategically manage existing top-tier chain partnerships and actively prospect and onboard new chain strategic partners globally to strategically expand WebBeds’ supply portfolio.
- Executive Relationship Management: Organize and lead Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and monthly engagement sessions with key senior contacts of the Chain Partners, focused on performance analysis, strategy alignment, and maintaining robust, long-term relationships.
- Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and coach assigned direct reports (if applicable) and indirect team members, fostering a high-performance, results-driven culture focused on global account management excellence and continuous professional growth.
- Global Product Optimization: Direct the optimization of the chain's global product, inventory, and pricing strategy, leveraging internal resources such as Partner Success, Supplier Optimization, and local Contract Managers to ensure maximum competitiveness and relevance in the market.
- Performance Monitoring & Competitiveness: Proactively monitor the chain supplier's performance on a regular basis, including production, pricing, and availability, to ensure best-in-market competitiveness across all regions and platforms.
- Connectivity & Onboarding: Collaborate closely with the Supplier Connectivity and IT Teams to successfully onboard new chains via preferred integration methods and ensure the ongoing, robust maintenance of connections for optimal supply delivery.
- Escalation & Solution Design: Act as the primary liaison and internal escalation point for assigned chain partners, deconstructing complex availability, service, and technical challenges to develop comprehensive, platform-adaptable solutions.
- Inter-Regional Coordination: Partner with Contracting Teams, Supplier Optimization, and Product teams in all regions, promoting cohesive teamwork and aligning efforts for specific hotel contracting needs and regional performance goals.
- Revenue Generation & Promotion: Consult with the leadership team regarding new chain opportunities. Actively negotiate and communicate special deals, flash sales, and additional supply to the WebBeds Sales Team globally to ensure maximum promotional visibility and revenue generation across all platforms.
- Market Representation: Represent WebBeds at relevant global tradeshows and networking opportunities to engage existing Chain Partners, prospect new high-value opportunities, and maintain strong industry visibility.
- Compliance & Professionalism: Cooperate with the Health and Safety team to ensure compliance requirements are met. Maintain professional and consistent communication both internally and externally in line with corporate guidelines.
The skills we would love to see in your suitcase!
- Proven track record (minimum 5-7 years) in a senior strategic account management or contracting role, preferably within the global travel, B2B technology, or hospitality sectors.
- Direct experience managing partnerships or commercial agreements with global chain clients generating over €100M EUR in annual cost or multimillions in revenue.
- Demonstrable ability to lead and direct virtual, cross-functional teams (Partner Success, Contracting, Connectivity) to execute global account strategy and achieve shared commercial goals.
- Exceptional commercial judgment coupled with the ability to develop and articulate a clear, data-driven global strategy that translates into significant financial outcomes.
- Expert-level negotiation, influencing, and closing skills necessary to secure complex, high-value, and long-term global contracts and overrides with senior stakeholders.
- Highly developed analytical and quantitative skills, with advanced proficiency in using tools (especially Microsoft Office and BI platforms) to derive commercial insights, model financial scenarios, and track detailed performance metrics.
- Highly proactive and dynamic approach with a demonstrable ability to identify challenges, offer strategic solutions, and drive cross-functional alignment to resolve complex operational or commercial issues.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the executive presence required to present confidently during high-stakes Quarterly Business Reviews.
- Proven ability to work autonomously and manage a demanding global portfolio while simultaneously excelling as a collaborative team player within a complex, matrix organizational structure.
- Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy, ensuring all contracts, reports, and strategic plans are professionally executed and accurate.
- Fluent in multiple relevant languages.
Strategic Account Director - Global Chains employer: Webbeds UK Services Limited
WebBeds is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, where strategic thinkers thrive. As a Strategic Account Director, you will benefit from unparalleled growth opportunities, working alongside industry leaders to shape global partnerships that drive significant business impact. With a commitment to employee development and a collaborative environment, WebBeds ensures that every team member can contribute meaningfully while enjoying the advantages of being part of a leading player in the travel industry.
Contact Details:
Webbeds UK Services Limited Recruitment Team
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We think this is how you could land Strategic Account Director - Global Chains
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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.
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✨Know their business model
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