Trainee Contract Manager

A leading travel wholesaler are looking for a trainee Contract Manager to join their team due to expansion, where you will utilise the building blocks that you possess, and be developed into an expert contractor. Working for one of the leading companies in the travel industry, as Contract Manager you will achieve the target number and mix of hotels, with the correct prices and availability, for your defined region.

As Contract Manager you will:

- Ensure hotels are re-contracted within specified deadlines
- Identify 'must-have' hotels within a destination and contract where appropriate
- Undertake to travel approx 18 weeks of the year to maintain relationship with hoteliers/ground handlers and embark on contracting trips.
- Consult and agree with the Regional Head of Contracting on an ongoing basis regarding deletions and additions to product
- Negotiate added-value deals, overrides and special offers
- Regularly monitor competitor pricing and availability in line with demand
- Liaise with yield team to ensure maximum profit, communicate peak and trough dates so they can be priced appropriately
- Advise on preferred partner hotels in the relevant destinations, negotiate exclusive deals
- Address and resolve any standard/service level issues with suppliers
- Ensure hotels are inspected and details (photos, amenities etc) updated on a regular basis.
- Manage the supplier relationship throughout the period of the contract, including dealing with close out requests and book out issues and liaising with relevant departments accordingly.

This is an exciting opportunity for a travel professional who is looking to further their career in the contracting field. The successful Contract Manager will have strong negotiation skills, be pro-active, dynamic, passionate, and a team player. You will be able to develop and maintain strong and trusting relationship with hoteliers and be highly accurate with an excellent attention to detail with well-developed written and verbal communication skills who can work to deadlines. The successful Contract Manager will be fluent in English, and preferably one other Western European language, and is an excellent opportunity for someone to develop their career further in this field of travel.