Tourism Organisations And Airports Partnerships Manager

Company Description Hays Travel is the UK’s largest independent travel agent, offering customers a wide range of short haul, long haul, and cruise holidays with a focus on service, value, and choice. With over 40 years of experience, the company has been voted the nation’s favourite travel agent and recognised as the travel industry’s Best Agency to Work For. Founded in 1980, Hays Travel has grown to more than 490 branches across the UK and employs around 4,500 people, following its major expansion in 2019. As a family-owned business, Hays Travel values its colleagues, customers, and local communities, providing impartial travel advice across multiple channels. The company also demonstrates strong community commitment through branch-level funding and the Hays Travel Foundation, which supports young people in health, sport, arts, and education.

Role Description The Tourism Organisations and Airports Partnerships Manager is a full-time, on-site role based in Sunderland. This position is responsible for developing and managing strategic partnerships with tourism boards, destination organisations, and airport stakeholders to drive mutual growth and enhance Hays Travel’s customer offering. Day-to-day activities include identifying and negotiating partnership opportunities, coordinating joint marketing campaigns, and ensuring effective collaboration between internal teams and external partners. The role involves analysing performance data, preparing reports, and presenting insights to senior leadership to support decision-making and long-term partnership strategies. The Manager will also represent Hays Travel at industry events and meetings, maintaining strong professional relationships that reinforce the company’s reputation within the travel sector.

Qualifications

• Experience in partnership or account management within travel, tourism, aviation, or related industries, with a track record of building and maintaining strategic relationships.
• Strong skills in negotiation, stakeholder management, and collaboration, with the ability to influence and engage partners at different organisational levels.
• Competence in project and campaign management, including planning, coordination, and delivery of joint initiatives with external organisations.
• Analytical and reporting skills, including the ability to interpret data, measure partnership performance, and present clear recommendations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with confident presentation abilities and a professional approach to external representation.
• Knowledge of tourism trends, airline and airport operations, or destination marketing, and an interest in the wider travel industry landscape.
• Ability to work on-site in Sunderland, manage multiple priorities, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Relevant degree or equivalent experience in business, marketing, tourism, or a related field; prior experience in a travel agency or tour operator environment is advantageous.