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Job Description:
Position Summary
Work with A&K’s international destination management offices to facilitate the sales cycle process for direct business from retail travel agencies in the North America market.
Responsibilities and Accountabilities
Manage requests to Destination Management Companies (DMCs) including all aspects of the RFP process.
Review and validate proposals from our DMC to travel advisors verifying completeness, competitiveness, and accuracy of proposal.
Follow up with travel advisors on new bookings 7-10 days after receipt of proposal. Work with Sales Director (SD), travel advisor and/or DMC to facilitate conversion of large pending sales opportunities as needed.
Review reports from CRM for large value sales opportunities, collaborate with SD, DMC and advisor to convert booking. Track booking activity in CRM and DBF tracking report, in order to track trends, sales conversions and resolutions of DMC issues. Provide inside support to the SDs to identify and cultivate new leads.
Determine optimal placement of requests that may fit already packaged A&K products and help facilitate the referral to TOC and closing of the sale.
Schedule sales calls for DMCs and assist with DMC sales trip logistics planning when in North America, as well as agency appointment scheduling and follow up.
Assist DMC’s and travel advisors with the A&K application. Manage Guest Relations or Service issues on behalf of DMCs when US-based support is needed.
Assist DMCs and travel advisors in managing any issues with DMC payment portal, commissions and refund processing. Requires basic understanding of a credit card portal.
Collaborate with Manager, DBFs to regularly perform scheduled database clean-up and management of DMC bookings to ensure DMC agency profiles align with USA database. Requires communication with SDs, DMCs, Finance and I.T./London DMC support team.
Generate monthly conversion reports on sales.
Physical ability and flexibility to travel domestically on sales calls or road shows with SDs and on an educational study tour once annually to destinations which sometimes involve travel in developing countries with rough roads and/or other modes of transport.
Provide travel logistics support for the SVP Sales & VP National Accounts when travelling with DMCs.
Special projects or other related duties as required.
Skills and Abilities
Experience working in or with destination Management companies (DMCs) internationally
Sales closing ability with strong capacity to multi-task between multiple projects, while working to deadlines
Should have a thorough understanding of the DMC sales processes and components of proposal quotations and booking process for FITs (foreign independent travel)
Should have thorough understanding of hotel and tour operating supplier rate structures
Should have experience with North America retail travel agency
Excellent time and project management skills required
Extensive travel experience or having lived abroad is helpful
Education and Experience
BA/BS degree preferred
Five years of travel industry experience required
High School diploma required
Personal travel experience traveling internationally to destinations beyond the U.S., Mexico & Caribbean
Special requirements
Position is based in A&K USA’s office, located in Downers Grove, Illinois
Hybrid work schedule, 4 days in office, 1 days remote
Evening and weekend availability may be required occasionally
Some travel may be required occasionally
Salary Range
$55k-$65k; position is bonus eligible
Benefits
A&K offers a large portfolio of competitive benefits to all eligible, full-time employees. Some benefits are provided at no cost to the employee, such as group life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, and travel discounts. Other elective benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, supplemental life insurance, pre-tax healthcare and dependent FSAs, and a 401(k) plan with generous company match.
EEO Statement
Abercrombie & Kent is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
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