Director of Contracting UK & Ireland
Director of Contracting UK & Ireland

Director of Contracting UK & Ireland

London Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a high-performing team to drive hotel partnerships and commercial success in the UK & Ireland.
  • Company: WebBeds is a global leader in accommodation distribution for the travel industry, offering innovative solutions.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth, collaboration, and international exposure.
  • Why this job: Join a passionate team and make a real impact in a fast-growing market with endless possibilities.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in hotel partnerships, strong negotiation skills, and a proactive leadership approach required.
  • Other info: Hybrid working model available; travel within the region may be necessary.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

Who are WebBeds?WebBeds is the fastest growing and most significant accommodation supplier to the travel industry. We are a global company offering ground services (hotels, transfers, tours, activities) to travel professionals. Our products help our partners and customers to create amazing Travel experiences.

Our Products range from a Retail Online platform, Integration Connectivity hub and distribution APIs to name but a few and our systems are 100% cloud hosted processing up to 5.0bn search requests daily. We deliver amazing outcomes using leading edge technology through innovative and creative thinking.

WebBeds is a subsidiary of Web Travel Group (ASX: WEB) – an ASX 200 listed company operating a global digital travel business.

What makes us stand out?

We are a wholesale global travel organization

We have 1500+ people speaking 50+ languages in 120+ cites across 50+ countries

We partner with over 430,000 properties in more than 15,000 destinations

We work with more than 44,000 travel companies in 139 source markets

We have an amazing Technology team focused on delivering valuable outcomes using innovative tech and creative & lateral thinking

What will you do on your journey with WebBeds?WebBeds is the world\’s fastest growing provider of accommodation distribution services to the travel industry. Our products incorporate distribution APIs, payment integrations, ERP integration, Data Lakes, User Interfaces, and others. Our search API reach peaks of more than 50.000 requests per second, each one consisting of tens or hundreds of hotels, with continued expansion.

\”We design, deliver and support innovative solutions through engagement, collaboration and a fearsome passion for creating customer value\” is our mission as an IT organization.

With this in mind, we strive to be at the leading edge of technology when it comes to build the platform that meets the needs of our Supply partners and customers. This translates to the use of latest technology including .NET Core versions, K8S, microservices architecture, clouds hosting and orchestration, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, Proactive monitoring, and alerting systems, to name a few.

Our delivery teams have the creativity and freedom to express themselves by building innovative solutions to often complex problems and are challenged to reach higher levels daily. Our teams consist of product owners, QA engineers, Software Engineers, and people from across the business all working collectively and collaboratively. We have a very strong technical team from which you will be able to learn but are encouraged by new ideas and fresh thinking that you will bring with you.

In this Role you will:We are seeking a strategic and commercially minded Director of Contracting for UK & Ireland to lead our regional strategy across this key market. This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for owning hotel supply, driving commercial performance, and strengthening our competitive position with both chain and independent properties across the UK and Ireland.

This leader will manage a team of Contract Managers, Product Managers and a Regional Head of Contracting, they will work closely with key internal stakeholders (Sales, Commercial Strategy, Revenue, Marketing), and develop strong relationships with hoteliers and chains to deliver growth and long-term value for WebBeds and our partners.

Key Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing contracting team.

Define and execute the hotel partnership strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives.

Collaborate with regional peers across Northern Europe to drive consistency and best practices.

Develop strategic partnerships with top-performing hotels and chains.

Achieve regional revenue, margin, and competitiveness targets within the B2B distribution landscape.

Negotiate optimal inventory, rates, and availability to maximize sales potential.

Analyse portfolio performance, identifying trends, gaps, and emerging opportunities.

Work cross-functionally with Sales, Revenue Management, Marketing, Finance, and Operations to ensure seamless execution.

Champion WebBeds\’ value proposition to secure long-term, strategic partnerships.

Ensure hotel portfolio diversity, coverage, and quality aligned with regional market demands.

Drive data-led decision-making to enhance competitive positioning.

Lead internal initiatives to improve contracting processes and team efficiency.

The skills we would love to see in your suitcase!

Proven track record in hotel partnerships and commercial management within the UK & Ireland market.

Strong negotiation skills; and relationship-building abilities. Able to develop, and maintain, strong and trusting relationships with hoteliers and colleagues.

Pro‐active team leader.

Accurate with attention to detail.

Well‐developed written and verbal communication skills (internal and external) in English.

Able to work well under pressure and motivated to succeed.

A solid working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook.

Aptitude for leading and motivating a team.

Ability to delegate competently.

Target driven mentality.

Able to communicate internally and externally in an effective and timely manner.

Competent in managing expectations.

Willingness to travel within region.

Why choose us as your next destination?We are super proud of our dedicated team of friendly, energetic & passionate professionals. Our people are key to the success of our business & everybody at WebBeds has their own unique role to play as we continue to drive the company forward.

Over 50 different languages are spoken by our workforce, but whether working from offices in Dubai or London or out in the field in Johannesburg or Buenos Aires, we all share the common goal to take pride in what we do & to deliver our partners with unbeatable service & support.

International highly skilled group of experts from all around the globe

Dynamic environment with the chance to grow, influence & impact change

Disruptive, fast-growing market leader within travel & endless possibilities

Culture built on collaboration empowerment and innovation

Find out more about the WebBeds business at www.webbeds.com – #LI-Hybrid

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Director of Contracting UK & Ireland employer: WebBeds

WebBeds is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work culture that empowers employees to innovate and influence change within the fast-growing travel industry. With a diverse team of over 1,500 professionals speaking more than 50 languages, we provide ample opportunities for personal and professional growth, all while delivering outstanding service to our partners. Located in the vibrant UK & Ireland market, this role as Director of Contracting allows you to lead a high-performing team and make a significant impact on our competitive position in the industry.
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Contact Detail:

WebBeds Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Director of Contracting UK & Ireland

Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the travel industry, especially regarding hotel partnerships and distribution. Understanding the competitive landscape in the UK and Ireland will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to WebBeds' growth.

Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the travel and hospitality sectors. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet potential colleagues or partners. Building relationships now can give you an edge when discussing your fit for the role.

Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully managed teams in the past. WebBeds values a pro-active team leader, so be ready to share specific examples of how you've mentored and developed high-performing teams.

Tip Number 4

Research WebBeds' value proposition and be prepared to articulate how you can champion it. Understanding their unique offerings and how they stand out in the market will demonstrate your commitment and strategic thinking.

We think you need these skills to ace Director of Contracting UK & Ireland

Strategic Thinking
Commercial Acumen
Hotel Partnership Management
Negotiation Skills
Relationship Building
Team Leadership
Attention to Detail
Data Analysis
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Communication Skills
Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Target Driven
Problem-Solving Skills
Adaptability
Willingness to Travel

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in hotel partnerships and commercial management, particularly within the UK & Ireland market. Use specific examples that demonstrate your negotiation skills and relationship-building abilities.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of WebBeds' mission and values. Explain how your background aligns with their goals, particularly in leading and mentoring teams, and driving commercial performance.

Highlight Key Skills: In your application, emphasise your strong written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to work under pressure. These are crucial for the Director of Contracting role.

Showcase Your Leadership Experience: Detail your experience in leading teams and managing projects. Provide examples of how you've successfully developed high-performing teams and driven strategic partnerships in previous roles.

How to prepare for a job interview at WebBeds

Research WebBeds Thoroughly

Before the interview, make sure to dive deep into WebBeds' mission, values, and recent developments. Understanding their position in the travel industry and their innovative technology will help you align your answers with their goals.

Showcase Your Negotiation Skills

As a Director of Contracting, strong negotiation skills are crucial. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully negotiated contracts or built partnerships, highlighting the outcomes and benefits for all parties involved.

Demonstrate Leadership Experience

Be ready to discuss your leadership style and how you've developed high-performing teams in the past. Share specific instances where you mentored team members or improved team efficiency, as this role requires strong team management.

Prepare for Data-Driven Discussions

Since the role involves data-led decision-making, be prepared to discuss how you've used data analysis to drive business decisions in previous roles. Bring examples of how you've identified trends and opportunities through data.

Director of Contracting UK & Ireland
WebBeds
Location: London

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