Senior Destination Partnerships Manager

Job description

The Senior Director – Commercial Partnerships & Distribution is responsible for developing and managing the employer’s commercial partnerships ecosystem and distribution network. The role drives sustainable revenue through strategic partnerships, travel trade relationships, online and offline distribution channels, and tourism activations. The role leads the development of commercial agreements and distribution capabilities across travel agencies, tour operators, online travel agencies, airlines, hospitality groups, corporate travel buyers, and MICE operators. It also oversees commercial performance, partner management, channel development, and team capability while working closely with Marketing, Operations, Finance, Legal, and Technology.

Requirements

• Commercial Strategy and Leadership
• Develop and lead the commercial partnerships and distribution strategy in alignment with the employer’s objectives, national tourism priorities, and Vision 2030
• Establish multi-year commercial targets, partnership priorities, and pipeline development plans
• Position the employer as a leading destination partner for international and domestic travel trade organizations
• Develop innovative commercial models, including revenue-sharing arrangements, guaranteed inventory agreements, joint marketing contributions, and partner incentive programmes
• Provide senior leadership with regular updates on commercial performance, market developments, risks, and opportunities
• Translate the commercial strategy into clear plans, targets, and responsibilities for the Partnerships and Distribution teams
• Partnership Development and Management
• Identify, negotiate, and secure high-value partnerships with travel agencies, tour operators, online travel agencies, airlines, hospitality groups, and corporate travel partners
• Build and manage relationships with key local, regional, and international partners
• Develop a structured partner classification and tiering model with clearly defined benefits, access, incentives, and joint investment levels
• Oversee partnership agreements, memoranda of understanding, and commercial contracts
• Establish a structured partner lifecycle covering identification, evaluation, onboarding, activation, performance monitoring, renewal, and closure
• Maintain senior-level relationships with executives and decision-makers at key partner organizations
• Ensure partnership agreements deliver measurable commercial, visitor, and brand value
• Lead the development and optimization of the employer’s business-to-business and business-to-consumer distribution network
• Oversee relationships and connectivity with online travel agencies and global distribution systems such as Amadeus, the employer, and Galileo
• Develop channel pricing, inventory management, rate parity, and commission policies across distribution channels
• Lead the development of a trade partner portal offering booking tools, live inventory, marketing materials, and commission tracking
• Evaluate and introduce suitable booking engines, central reservation systems, channel managers, and distribution technologies
• Collaborate with Digital and Technology teams to improve customer journeys and conversion across digital distribution channels
• Ensure distribution platforms and processes are scalable and integrated with the employer’s operational systems
• Manage the commercial revenue and budget for the Partnerships and Distribution function
• Establish commercial dashboards to monitor partnership pipeline value, deal progress, conversion rates, channel performance, and revenue against targets
• Implement structured pipeline governance and regular commercial

Skills