Head of Commercial Strategy & Operations (Travel Industry / Technology)

The Head of Commercial Strategy & Operations is pivotal to the newly re-formed Global Accounts & Corporate function and is responsible for defining and managing the strategic and tactical “Corporate” engagement across both commercial groups, and ensuring that other key stakeholders in the organization such as Partner & Alliances and Product & Marketing are aligned and able to support with our commercial goals.

Working with the commercial leaders in the customer verticals of Global Accounts & Corporate, this role will challenge the status quo and support the commercial leads in the achievement of their strategic objectives. The role will ensure the implementation of the plan deliverables and will secure the required support throughout the organisation for the strategic investments to be successful.

The role will also have accountability for driving changes to the Global Accounts & Corporate commercial model and bringing in new revenue streams. The role involves strategically redefining the current business to ensure that, without loss of current profitability, a platform is created that can serve as the catalyst for accelerating significant growth in our business through direct and indirect Corporate engagement.

Finally, the role also has a Commercial Operational responsibility to provide bid management analysis& support and bid control across the verticals, thus ensuring that at any given time, the GVP and other CLT/SLT stakeholders as required, have full visibility including financial data on Travelport’s engagement with Corporations. The Head of Commercial Strategy & Operations will make informed recommendations on how the organization should support each Corporate RFP’s both tactically and financially and provide factual evidence to support.

Head of Commercial Strategy & Operations – leads and manages a global commercial operations support team whose responsibilities include, global bid management of direct Corporate and tenders, sales support, data management of CRM and pipeline reporting, analysis and contract process management.

Position Requirements
•Graduate level or equivalent working experience.
•5-10 years commercial experience in a sophisticated international business environment with management responsibility
•Demonstrable specific experience in commercial innovation to find new revenues and drive a step change in business models
•Proven strategic ability to develop and execute new plans that will drive growth with the ability to challenge the status quo and find new and innovative go to market strategies
•Demonstrable track record of consistent commercial success and managing commercial P&Ls
•Proven relationship-building and decision making abilities essential.
•Strong negotiation skills with a clear track record of success
•Ability to understand complex business processes, technology and products. Highly numerate and commercially aware. Solid understanding of business finance including EBIT objectives
•Strong track record and ability to sell and develop relationships at the highest level within complex organisations

•A hands-on operating style, able to roll-up their sleeves and dive in to help with the detail where needed without micro-managing.
•Ability to innovate, think strategically and develop business strategies Exceptional organizational and analytical skills.
•Travel and/or IT related industry background advantageous but not essential
•Attention to detail and a passion for delivering accurate, timely and high- integrity data, information and plans
•Strong analytical thinking and clear communications skills to present content to various audiences – sales, technical and support staff internally and across the customer base
•A mindset which strikes a balance between short-term financial goals and long-term financial and commercial objectives.
•The ability to work with ease in a matrixed, evolving and fast-paced environment.
•Confident, with the ability to develop credibility and influence throughout the business
•Ambitious and results driven with real energy and drive
•Excellent at prioritizing
•Self-motivated