Opportunities


Vice President, e-Commerce

Our Client

Our Client provides worldwide electronic distribution of travel information, Internet products and connectivity, and e-commerce capabilities for travel agencies, travel service providers, and corporations. The company's three lines of business are travel supplier services, e-commerce, and travel distribution for the worldwide travel industry. Their reservations system provides approximately 16,000 travel agencies and other users worldwide with travel data and booking capabilities for hundreds of the world's leading travel service suppliers. They are the leader in e-commerce for the travel industry.  They process over 65 percent of online airline transactions made in the U.S. and processed by a global distribution system (GDS).

VP, e-Commerce position description and responsibilities

We are seeking a candidate to provide general oversight and responsibility for managing all aspects of e-Commerce sales and marketing.  This will include setting strategy and direction for the growth and retention of e-Commerce customers, developing and coordinating strategy, pricing, placement, promotion and roll-out of products and services for the department, and achieving e-Commerce revenue and profitability targets through disciplined account management and contract management and delivery of superior technical customer support.

The postion will entail managing the day-to-day activities of account managers, and ensuring that the organization is algined to accomplish revenue, innovation and cost savings targets.  You will meet with customers and senior leaders at customer organizations to build and strengthen relationships, and develop and nurture excellent long-term client relationships.

A key skill in this role will be negotiating contracts and coaching others in the handling of proposal and contract negotiations.  Establish contract processes and terms that align with business policy and direction.

This position requires the ability to solve problems quickly and effectively by working across the organization (including interfacing effectively with finance, customer service, technology, on-boarding, etc.), and creating and maintaining a work environment of continuous improvement by identifying deficient operations and processes.

This role includes the need to be skilled at developing comparative analysis of competitive market strategies and identifying opportunities to maximize penetration, and guide others in the identification and attainment of business/sales opportunities.

This position is also responsible for participating in industry and trade events, develop and managing budget(s) for division according to company policy and process, and developing and implementing short- and long-term plan, goals and policies/procedures for the team.

Education and Experience

The ideal candidate is an individual with high energy, a positive attitude, and outstanding people skills. 

Extensive experience in the on-line travel commerce industry required.

Must have seven to ten years senior sales and marketing management experience in a role where they managed the day-to-day activities of account managers including ability to manage all aspects of the process chain from generating leads to ensuring ongoing customer satisfaction; Must have experience managing and retaining tough customer accounts.

Seven to ten years of progressively responsible management experience (must have managed more than 20 employees and have been responsible for P&L of more than $200M).

Master's Degree in Business, Information Systems, Sales or Marketing or equivalent experience desired.

Must be articulate and possess excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills (at all levels of the organization) and be compelling in front of large and small groups (presentation skills).

Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem solving skills required.

Must be very commercially grounded and possess advanced business and financial acumen.

Must have excellent negotiation skills and the ability to assess the quality of business deals and manage large, complex contracts.

Must have strong operational and process improvement skills. 

Must be detail oriented and able to ensure follow through and accountability at all levels.

Must be a strong change agent, able to successfully bring others along as business needs evolve. 

Extensive experience with travel agency operations, GDS industry, messaging, fares and pricing product, sales and marketing procedures and products preferred.

Must be proficient with personal computers, including knowledge of technology, web applications and functionality, spreadsheet and presentation software.     

Must be ability to travel up to 50% of the time including international travel.