National Key Account Manager - 5 star luxury safari lodges

NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER: 5* LUXURY SAFARI LODGES
Our Client is an award-winning collection of luxury lodges and camps located in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The camps are carefully positioned in untamed and pristine parts of Southern Africa – expect authenticity, adventure and exploration as well as all the comforts fit for the modern traveller.
They have made a name for themselves as one the region’s leading safari operators, and have been a key player in bringing luxury travel to these safari destinations.
Their focus is on providing privately guided and personalised experiences. They employ an exceptional standard of safari guides whose knowledge, passion and skill will make the magic of the African wilderness come to life.
As their National Key Account Manager, and based at their Head Office in CAPE TOWN, your focus will be on maintaining and increasing their market share and visibility. You should be a hungry and focused person who knows how to drive performance. Tourism/Hospitality experience combined with key strategic account management know how and passion is critical.

Responsibilities fall into the following main areas:
1. Account Management, which would include product training, review meetings, networking and regular agent engagement with all stakeholders
2. Sales Operations with a focus on pipeline health and market share growth
3. Stakeholder management
4. Build overall guest offering
5. Contributing to the brands image and reputation

The ideal candidate will have proven experience in these key areas:
• Proven Strategic Account Management experience in the travel industry
• At least 5 years senior Sales management experience
• A passion for delivering seamless solutions and value to agents
• Acute awareness of competitor activities and trends
• Superior Competitor Knowledge
• Superior Product Knowledge
• Selling Skills (upselling & closing)
• CRM Knowledge
• Passionate about Africa travel and excited to visit and sell remote safari camps
• An inspirational leader and innovator
• Commercial insightful & astuteness
• Motivator and inspirer of teams
• Critical and strategic thinker
• Adaptable, flexible, and comfortable changing direction when the business requires
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Possesses strong EQ and active listening skills
• Confident communicator with excellent networking skills
• Willingness to travel on a regular basis to meet key agents nationwide