Job Description

Embark on the next step in your career journey with Direct Travel!

The Director leisure group department position supports a busy and fast pace North American group travel department at a leading Virtuoso agency. We are looking for a candidate with excellent business acumen and organization, as well as people skills; clear and concise internal /external communication skills, an ability to adapt to changing business conditions, strong working knowledge of Office Suite and CVent and competent in utilizing web technology.

This is a remote position and does require some travel ~30%.

Essential Functions

• Directs a team of program managers to assure excellence in delivery of group travel arrangements, supplier selection, and project profitability
• Identifies and secures new group prospects (pied pipers) and delivers group proposals (RFP)
• Directs team schedules and optimizes team performance (i.e., deliveries, deadlines, launch dates etc.)
• Reporting responsibility to senior leadership team on group performance; ROI; profit margins etc.
• Organize and supervise group promotional events (virtual and in-person) in collaboration with Marketing
• Responsible for revenue generation of $2m annually (contribution margin)
• Secures favorable pricing for blocks and/or charters with DT strategic suppliers in support of overall leisure revenue optimization
• Leads 3-year strategic group business planning cycle
• Measures success of group marketing tactics in support of revenue goal achievement
• Directs group program managers to assure group recall dates & supplier timelines for utilization/cancellations are met

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years working in the Leisure Travel Industry with specific groups management experience
• Experience with Cvent group management tool
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Excellent individual and team time management and organizational skills
• Proven track record of group profitability (ROI); groups fulfillment (prospecting to completion); and Department management experience
• Excellent communication and customer relations skills

Benefits Onboard

In addition to Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits Direct Travel offers an employee rewards and recognitions program, Total Rewards Package which includes Wellness, Sustainability, DE&I initiatives, and Mental Health Support.

Our Brand Voyage: About Direct Travel

Direct Travel is a leading provider of corporate travel management services. The company has been providing travel management for over 40 years, working with clients to develop highly customized travel programs. By leveraging both the expertise of its people and innovative solutions, Direct Travel enables clients to derive the greatest value from their travel program in terms of superior service, progressive technologies and significant cost savings. Direct Travel has offices in over 70 locations across North America and the UK and is currently ranked 12th on Travel Weekly’s Power List. For more information, visit www.dt.com.

Direct Travel is an EOE/AA/Veteran/People with Disabilities employer

If you're ready to chart a new course and advance your career with the valuable moments and travel experiences that await, we welcome you to submit your resume for consideration at Direct Travel.

#LI-Remote

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Hospitality, Tourism, or related field; equivalent work experience accepted.
• 7+ years of experience in the travel industry, with at least 3 years in a leadership role focused on leisure or group travel.
• Demonstrated success in managing large and small group travel programs, both domestic and international.
• Strong knowledge of GDS systems (e.g., Sabre, Amadeus), travel CRM tools, and back-office systems.
• Exceptional organizational, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Experience managing vendor and supplier relationships and negotiating contracts.

Preferred Attributes:

• Destination specialist certifications or affiliation with travel industry organizations (e.g., ASTA, Virtuoso, Ensemble).
• Familiarity with incentive group travel or meetings & events crossover.
• Multilingual skills and international travel experience a plus.