A&K DMC Business Facilitator

Position Summary

Work with A&K’s international destination management offices to facilitate the sales cycle process for direct business from retail travel agencies in the North American market.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities 

• Manage requests to Destination Management Companies (DMCs) including all aspects of the RFP process.
• Review and validate proposals from our DMC to travel advisors verifying the completeness, competitiveness, and accuracy of proposals.
• Follow up with travel advisors on new bookings 7-10 days after receipt of the proposal. Work with the Sales Director (SD), travel advisor, and/or DMC to facilitate the conversion of large pending sales opportunities as needed.
• Review reports from CRM for large value sales opportunities, collaborate with SD, DMC, and advisor to convert booking. Track booking activity in CRM and DBF tracking reports, in order to track trends, sales conversions, and resolutions of DMC issues. Provide inside support to the SDs to identify and cultivate new leads.
• Determine optimal placement of requests that may fit already packaged A&K products and help facilitate the referral to TOC and closing of the sale.
• Schedule sales calls for DMCs and assist with DMC sales trip logistics planning when in North America, as well as agency appointment scheduling and follow-up.
• Assist DMC’s and travel advisors with the A&K application. Manage Guest Relations or Service issues on behalf of DMCs when US-based support is needed.
• Assist DMCs and travel advisors in managing any issues with DMC payment portal, commissions, and refund processing. Requires a basic understanding of a credit card portal.
• Collaborate with the Manager, and DBFs to regularly perform scheduled database clean-up and management of DMC bookings to ensure DMC agency profiles align with the USA database. Requires communication with SDs, DMCs, Finance, and I.T./London DMC support team.
• Generate monthly conversion reports on sales.
• Physical ability and flexibility to travel domestically on sales calls or road shows with SDs and on an educational study tour once annually to destinations that sometimes involve travel in developing countries with rough roads and/or other modes of transport.
• Provide travel logistics support for the SVP Sales & VP National Accounts when traveling with DMCs.
• Special projects or other related duties as required.

 Skills & Abilities 

• Experience working in or with destination Management companies (DMCs) internationally
• Sales closing ability with a strong capacity to multitask between multiple projects, while working to deadlines
• Should have a thorough understanding of the DMC sales processes and components of proposal quotations and booking process for FITs (foreign independent travel)
• Should have a thorough understanding of hotel and tour operating supplier rate structures
• Should have experience with a North American retail travel agency
• Excellent time and project management skills required
• Extensive travel experience or having lived abroad is helpful

Requirements

Education and Experience 

• BA/BS degree preferred
• Five years of travel industry experience required
• High School diploma required
• Personal travel experience traveling internationally to destinations beyond the U.S., Mexico & Caribbean 

Special Requirements 

• The position is based in A&K USA’s office, located in Downers Grove, Illinois
• Hybrid work schedule, 3 days in the office, 2 days remote
• Evening and weekend availability may be required occasionally
• Some travel may be required occasionally