Account Director at Accommodations Plus International

Summary/Objective: API is looking for an experienced professional to join our team as an Account Director. We are seeking a seasoned Procurement Category Manager with a strong background in operational procurement. This role involves establishing and nurturing relationships with our expanding network of Airline and Hotel partners, aiming to drive strategic growth and fulfil our contractual commitments through exceptional procurement delivery. 

We are seeking a leader who is a strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen and a customer-centric approach. You should possess the ability to engage effectively with various stakeholders and partners to drive business outcomes, as well as the capacity to communicate at both senior and operational team levels. 

Essential Functions: Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Client Relationship  

• Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders at all levels within the airline and hotel partners.  

• Communicate and meet with major clients regularly to ensure that API deliverables are met.  

• Create a client sourcing strategy based on solid market insights   

• Report on strategy and savings matrix for nominated accounts  

• Strive to create increased value for the client by providing new points of view and recommendations that are aligned with desired business goals.  

• Develop and deliver strategic account objectives.  

• Suggest solutions and innovative ideas to meet client needs   

• Handle complaints and problems in a timely and effective manner.  

• Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual reports and budget forecasts for the client.  

Site Inspections   

• Prepare and conduct site inspections domestically and internationally when required to ascertain suitability for the airline in line with minimum requirements.  

• Where necessary, conduct virtual site inspections to assess a hotel's suitability   

• Effectively manage union relationships as part of the site inspection process  

Day-to-Day Account Management   

• Provide strategic leadership to expand opportunities within assigned accounts.  

• Communicate with the Vertical Leader on client performance, strategies and needs.   

• Coordinate and manage weekly meetings with the designated airline to ensure sourcing deliverables remain on target and airline sign-off approval processes are followed.   

• Maintain an action log to ensure all parties are aware of action points and follow-up resolve points are understood, leading weekly meetings to review with the airline and internally  

• Support and help prepare client communications ranging from weekly performance meetings to business reviews.  

• Assist the Research & Sourcing team in ensuring all details of a destination presentation are accurate and offered to the airline for review.  

• Document, troubleshoot and resolve operational and sourcing events  

• Become knowledgeable with API’s technology platforms for the Account Management department.  

• Maintain spreadsheets and update databases as required.  

• Support the Senior Account Director or Account Management on assigned projects as requested in line with the growth of the business.  

 Required Education and Experience  

• Established (at least 3-5 years) experience in a category manager procurement role  

• Experience in the travel industry is preferable.  

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or similar  

• MCIPS qualified preferred  

• Strong governance, process and change management experience  

• Negotiated major strategic and complex deals that delivered significant commercial outcomes.  

• Sound appreciation of category management principles and processes, with a working knowledge of contract law.  

• Strong results focus, with a continuous improvement skill set.  

• Strong negotiation and commercial skills with the ability to manage cross-functional teams and large stakeholder groups  

• Ability to effectively manage workload in a fast-paced environment, relying on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals  

• Shows attention to detail and the ability to produce high-quality work   

• Ability to positively present API in customer-facing situations  

• Strong Microsoft Office computer skills, with emphasis on Excel  

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills  

• Customer service and client relationship skills  

• Ability to work with and understand diverse cultures here and abroad  

• An organised self-starter who can work proactively and independently  

• Flexible schedule and travel availability needed based on business needs