VP, Partner Relations

Travel Edge is the largest luxury-focused travel agency in North America with over 750 advisors, planners and travel experts specializing in Leisure, Corporate & Events travel. At Travel Edge we believe in the power of travel, our people, the technology they use, and giving back to the communities in which we operate. Our luxury advisors are at the core of everything we do and specialize in air, hotel, cruise, tours, and VIP travel, where our Corporate Travel Consultants are the experts in providing tailored, full-service travel management solutions to our business clients.

Job Description

Reporting to the President, Travel Edge, the VP, Partner Relations will oversee a team responsible for sourcing, contracting and strategically managing relationships with key partners in the luxury travel sector. Partner verticals include hotels, tour operators, insurance providers, cruise lines, and destination management companies (DMCs) and other service providers in key markets across the globe. This individual is tasked with leveraging their extensive industry expertise to secure best-in-class content, contracts, and commercial agreements while maximizing value for all internal and external stakeholders. This role sits within a matrixed organization so the ideal candidate will be comfortable with ambiguity and working across the existing partnership organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the partner relations team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.
• Oversee the partner relations budget and ensure that expenditures align with financial targets.
• Build, lead and develop a team of high-performing partner relations specialists dedicated to driving profitable business outcomes.
• Maintain strong, ongoing relationships with partners, ensuring open communication and addressing any issues that arise.
• Plan, organize, direct, and control the complete travel partner acquisition cycle from prospecting through contracting, onboarding, and ongoing evaluation of rates, services, and delivery.
• Negotiate service and distribution agreements with cruise, hotel, tour, DMC partners of all sizes in all regions; Review contracts and concisely summarize key terms and red flags prior to signature.
• Ensure all suppliers meet key brand standards and contract requirements such as amenities, payment and cancellation terms, liability insurance, and marketing commitments.

• Oversee the coop & partnership marketing program to promote revenue growth generated across Travel Edge.

• Understand and monitor the industry landscape to identify and onboard new strategic partners.
• Articulate each of our brands' unique value propositions to potential partners and represent Travel Edge at industry events.
• Own and lead business results meetings with partners and internal business stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive review of results and action items.
• Effectively coordinate with key internal and external stakeholders to ensure accomplishment of shared business objectives promoting a collaborative team environment.
• Work closely with internal teams (marketing, sales, operations) to ensure partner services are integrated effectively into the agency's offerings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree; Master's degree is desirable.
• Minimum of 10+ years partner relations, account management, and/or procurement experience in a complex, multi-stakeholder company. Travel industry experience preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years in supervisory and leadership roles.
• Experience with a global purchasing model and luxury services/product an asset.
• Advanced negotiation skills - able to deliver results while maintaining partner engagement.
• Proven ability to work through conflict, build trust, generate respect, and influence outcomes through outstanding interpersonal and relationship building skills at all levels within the organization and with partners.
• Superior time management skills - able to work in a fast paced, changing environment and meet time sensitive deadlines.
• Analytical mind set with ability to digest and communicate quantitative reports across multiple data sets.
• Demonstrated aptitude for learning new technologies.
• Upbeat personality, a hands-on team player and self-starter who can work in a lean environment with autonomy.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills, including presentation skills and an ability to communicate at all levels, both internally and externally with polish and professionalism.
• Proficient with Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Strong project management mindset and is hyper organized in approach in delivering and managing operations.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically yet maintain contact with day-to-day performance.
• Hands on with high energy, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a positive attitude.
• History of consistently meeting/exceeding targets and objectives personally and as a leader.
• Ability to lead and drive multiple competing priorities and thrive in a fast paced and complex environment.

We are committed to providing employment accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. If you require accommodation due to a disability at any stage of our hiring process, please advise us when completing your application.

We thank all candidates for their interest however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.