Hotel Contract Manager

Company Introduction

WorldStrides is the global leader in educational travel and experiential learning. The company was founded in 1967 to provide middle school travel programs to Washington, D.C. and has grown to provide a wide range of programs for more than half a million students annually to over 100 countries around the world. WorldStrides offers experiential learning programs in educational travel, performing arts, language immersion, career exploration, service-learning, study abroad, and sports. Each of these experiences helps students to see beyond the classroom and to see the world – and themselves – in new ways.

Job Description:

A senior role in which the successful applicant will be expected to drive contracting and operations initiatives, within budget, quality and safety parameters, across the Explorica & Perspectives land component portfolio. This will include managing supplier relations, contracting all rates and commercial conditions within geographical remit, supplier strategy and the development of direct relationships with existing and new suppliers. The Contract Manager is also responsible for supporting and working alongside the operations team. 

Responsibilities: 

 

• Drive and develop sourcing plans based upon business and department needs. This will include leading commercial negotiations across a broad spread of categories and involve the management of high value contracts.
• Develop and maintain supplier relationships and performance whilst constantly looking to enhance the commercial value to the company.
• Allocating, booking and ensuring tour run efficiently from an operations perspective.
• Find new suppliers and new product development.
• Support groups and Tour Directors whilst on tour and help with customer care or emergency issues as and when necessary.
• Provide contract information and prices for all other components in area. Enter contract prices for given components into the system.
• Process and pay supplier invoices.
• Continue to work with suppliers to improve the efficiency of our operations and also the use of internal systems as a means of doing this.
• Report to Director regularly on contracted costs versus budget. The contractor has full budget responsibility and is also the guardian for all operational expenses within region.
• Visit suppliers according to guidelines and travel budgets. Carry out safety and security checks during these visits.
• Participate in preparation and presentation of the European land budgets, including executive level briefings.
• Managing booking requirements: keeping track of assigned group space and special requirements including tracking and notifying any changes.
• Prepare and participate in tour development/changes meetings.
• Collect and log competitor and market information for area.
• Manage the yield for all groups in area: this includes keeping track of all group space requirements, placing all groups in hotels, allocating in system, tracking and notifying any changes.
• Allocating services with suppliers assuring best balance of price and quality, in a timely manner.

Qualifications:

• Solid international buying, procurement/purchasing knowledge and experience.
• Second Language preferred.
• Good geographical knowledge of Europe and a passion for showcasing what the region has to offer international travelers
• Work experience in a field related to tourism and/or experience abroad preferred.
• Strong communication and presentation skills including the ability to work with all levels of employees.
• The ability to work under tight deadlines and with budget constraints.
• Proficient computer skills and the ability to learn new software products a must.
• Ability to travel to assigned regions when required.
• Strong negotiation and budget management skills.
• Ability to multi-task projects and responsibilities and strong prioritization skills.
• A bachelor’s degree.

 

Work Perks

• Fun & driven environment.
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage, life, accidental death and dismemberment, accident, critical illness, and disability insurance, FSA healthcare, FSA dependent care, HAS with employer contribution, and generous 401k match.
• 10 paid floating corporate holidays, 1 paid volunteer day & 25 PTO days to start – accrue up to 28 over 3 years, 4 mental health days, and 5 bereavement days.
• Tuition reimbursement up to five thousand, two hundred fifty dollars annually or one thousand