Destination & Development Manager

Crawley Permanent Competitive 07-06-2023
Job Details Hours: 37.5hrs per week Monday to Friday Location: Hybrid role with 3 days a week in The VHQ, Crawley Contract: Permanent Closing Date: Thursday 7 June 2023 In a nutshell At Virgin Atlantic, we believe that everyone can take on the world, and it's our vision to become the most loved travel company. As we embark on this next exciting stage of our journey, we're harnessing our spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation to challenge the status quo.
We love to disrupt the market with fresh ideas. Bringing new approaches to the industry and remaining a loud and proud voice for positive change - be it on issues of sustainability, people, or our communities. So, if you're ready to take your career to new heights, read on.
As Destination & Development Manager you will have full responsibility for the delivery of the product portfolio and destination strategy in alignment with Product Development activity. This includes identifying new opportunities and protecting key products, from planning through to sourcing and delivering it to market in the most efficient method possible considering the cost to serve, cost movement, customer happiness and differentiation in core markets.
This role supports the Head of Product to ensure objectives are met through effective product development management, negotiating through various sourcing mediums, and securing legally binding agreements with ground partners that offer the right product, at the right price. You will work to timelines and within the agreed standards to achieve the very best commercial terms whilst ensuring that business priorities are met as part of the long-term plan. Day to day

• Negotiate and procure contractual agreements with partners, bed-banks / third parties to ensure driven commercial terms whilst guaranteeing the quality of the product is maintained and in accordance with Health & Safety and Consumer legislation.
• Seek out and maintain excellent relationships with regional tourist boards, tourism authorities and hotel associations on behalf of VA. Act as commercial partnership lead in negotiating marketing contributions and sales incentives.
• Work with Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Atlantic Holidays' Commercial teams to ensure alignment with targets agreed by all partners.
• Understanding/analysing the competitive market, identifying, and exploring relationships with potential partners to use the company's position within the territory and/or gateway
• Actively solicit and secure support from ground partners as well as national and regional tourist offices (in tandem with Marketing) that will support company objectives in terms of volume growth, revenue, and pricing competitiveness.
• Ensure that sales and potential margin opportunities are improved through constant review and renegotiation of contracted rates, added new value and special offers for tactical promotions.
• Monitor, identify and implement practical solutions to improve customer happiness and increase NPS preference.
• Appointing overseas handling agents at each destination, which may or may not include the provision of transportation in the area.
• Input and recommend product & category strategy within designated areas to seek new opportunities and protect current arrangements with key partners in alignment with the Product Strategy.
• Deliver differentiation by region/hotel/ customer segment as agreed in the long-term plan.
• Explore new commercial opportunities and recommend appropriate action to the business/ team.
• Supporting Commercial, Operational and Sales colleagues through clear communication, education, and support.

About you Are you a strong communicator, with the ability to influence and engage, key partners? Then this could be the role for you!
In addition to the above, we are looking for our successful candidate to demonstrate the following:

• Effective influencing skills, with proven experience of purchasing.
• Proven analytical abilities, commercial skills as well as a strong eye for business.
• A flexible, self-sufficient demeanour and the ability to work under pressure, using your own initiatives.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Relationship management experience, with proven track record building positive relationships with suppliers and Internal partners.
• Flexible approach to an ever-changing environment.
• Ability to travel extensively, attend industry events and work remotely with sometimes unsociable hours

If this sounds like you, and you would like to be on this exciting journey with us, we would love to hear from you! Be yourself Our customers come from all walks of life and so do our colleagues. That's why we're proud to be an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from all backgrounds. At Virgin Atlantic, we believe everyone can take on the world - no matter your age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs. We celebrate difference and everything that makes our colleagues unique by upholding an inclusive environment in which we can all thrive. So that everyone at Virgin Atlantic can be themselves and know they belong.
To make your journey with us accessible and individual to you, we encourage you to let us know if you'd like a little extra help with your application, or if you have any individual requirements at any stage along your recruitment journey. We are here to support you, so please reach out to our team, (recruitment@fly.virgin.com) feeling confident that we've got your individual considerations covered.