Sandton: Account Manager – Travel

The Role: Retaining and increasing the business Meeting and exceeding client goals and aspirations assigned to their travel programme Acting as the Brand ambassador Look out for new opportunities As an Account Manager this person must be able to understand and analyze the client’s needs to formulate a medium to long term strategy for continual development of the business. This person will be responsible for all communications ensuring client satisfaction locally and where applicable liaising multi-nationally with colleagues to ensure client retention and maximum growth. A win for the business without a gain for the customer and vice versa isn’t a win at all and the Account Manager will be accountable for delivery of advantage to the client and profitable revenue for the business. Main Outputs: Contract Management – Understand the terms of the contract to ensure that contractual commitments are continually met Strategic & Financial Planning – Identify various objectives that will assist in maintaining and moving the business relationship forward. Set goals and produce creative, measurable and workable plans to achieve them, communicating the plans, key dates and activities to all involved Management Information – Have knowledge and understanding of client expenditure, trends and travel patterns Project Management – Evaluate the needs for specific projects for the customer Communication management – Responsible for account ownership and co-ordination of all client communication Internal and External Communication Client corporate agreement management Client profile management Client SLA management Client report management Client quarterly reviews Expenditure (Client hospitality, etc.) Change of professional fees for clients Signing of any contracts, SLA’s, Tenders / Bids on behalf of the company Participation in Tenders / Bids Segmentation of clients REQUIREMENTS: Minimum 3 years’ experience as Account Manager in the travel and tourism industry Minimum 2 to 3 years’ experience dealing with Government accounts (understanding Government needs and protocols) Good experience with preparing and submitting Tenders Advanced level with English Business Writing MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook – Advanced Level Thomas International PPA Regional/International travel will be required OTHER SKILLS REQUIRED: Cultural awareness – Understand the drivers for both key client contacts and the wider client business and target/sell solutions accordingly Excellent negotiation skills Good verbal and written communication skills – externally to clients and internally to customers and stakeholders Analytical skills – ability to understand margin drivers Team Player Initiator / Self-starter