Contract Manager

About Us

At Travel Counsellors, our customers, communities, and colleagues are at the heart of everything we do. For over 30 years, we've empowered 2,100+ independent travel agents worldwide, helping them build successful businesses while providing deeply personal, human connections with their customers. Supported by a talented team of over 400 people in our Support Offices, we create unique travel experiences that keep customers coming back. Named the Best Place to Work in Travel (2022) and ranked in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work (2023 & 2024), we’re expanding rapidly and looking for exceptional individuals to join our Head Office team.

About the Role

As an ambitious company, we are committed to become the number 1 Tour Operator in UK and we need someone dynamic, ambitious, hardworking and commercially astute who can help us to achieve this goal. We are seeking to recruit a commercially aware Hotel Contracts Manager to join our commercial team to negotiate and optimise contracts with hotels & DMC as well as managing the relationship to ensure the best commercial benefits Travel Counsellors. Reporting to the Destination Manager, you will define best sourcing option (static and/or dynamic) and you will own the journey from onboarding to performance monitoring.

The role involves some flexibility in working hours to conduct meetings off site at various locations. Success is measured by your ability to negotiate key commercial benefits for and improve destination’s conversion and Phenix mix.

Key Responsibilities

• Contract Negotiation and Management - taking ownership of the onboarding journey for new hotel partners, from sourcing to activation on our in-house system - Phenix. Negotiating with hotel partners and DMCs to ensure we secure the best commercial terms and regularly monitor our pricing against competitors.
• Market Trend Analysis - Identify suitable hotels to fall into our preferred “castle” collection based on production and opportunity to secure exclusive added value, as well as new products in line with room nights and sales requirements. Undertake ongoing analysis of product and quality to maintain consistent product offering for clients.
• Performance Monitoring - Closely monitor the room production and work with all the relevant parties to stimulate growth of bookings, room nights and revenue.
• Data Insights - Focusing on utilising data to provide actionable insights and support business decision-making. Analyse complex datasets and transform them into actionable insights that drive business strategy. You will be responsible for uncovering trends, patterns, and opportunities through data analysis, helping the organization make informed, data-driven decisions.
• Technology and AI - Incorporating AI/Automation into your day to day and considering how you can leverage AI/automation to be more efficient and enhance current processes/drive data. Work closely with the Technology team to integrate AI solutions, freeing up your time to focus on higher-value tasks.

Key Experience Required

• 3 years plus of experience in hotel contracting
• IT literate, able to use Microsoft Office, Excel etc.
• Confident and professional manner
• A good understanding of the travel industry with previous experience in hotel contracting.
• Team player and approachable
• Numerical skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Well organised and able to prioritise

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary + annual bonus
• Flexible hybrid working
• Career development opportunities
• 25 days holiday (increasing to 28 after 5 years)
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity pay
• 1 day paid charity day
• Company events and incentives
• 3x salary death in service benefit
• Pension scheme
• Private Medical Insurance or Healthcare Cash Plan
• Free breakfast and beverages

Inclusive Recruitment at Travel Counsellors

Travel Counsellors is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, gender, disability, or any protected characteristic. We provide accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process. We believe diverse perspectives strengthen our team and encourage all to apply.

For more information about this role – and others – at Travel Counsellors, please do not hesitate to contact the Talent Acquisition team attalentacquisition@travelcounsellors.com