Strategic Account Director Global Chains

About WebBeds Launched in 2013, WebBeds is a global marketplace for the travel trade, providing powerful distribution solutions that make selling and buying travel products easier. It sources accommodation and destination services from travel suppliers, aggregates and merchandises that content in the WebBeds platform, then distributes it to its global network of travel trade buyers, who sell to the travelling public.Hotels and other suppliers - global and regional hotel chains, independent hotels, apartments, resorts, attractions, transfer and sightseeing companies and more - can sell their products to a global network of online and offline travel buyers through robust solutions that provide greater inventory control to simplify distribution, and leverage WebBeds enhanced analytics to inform inventory optimisation choices – saving costs and increasing revenue. Travel buyers - online travel agencies, retail travel agents, corporate travel managers, tour operators, wholesalers, tourism boards, super apps, DMC’s, group providers, airlines and more - can integrate the hundreds of thousands of hotels and ground services in the WebBeds marketplace through simple and seamless API connectivity, or they can search, shop and book online through one of WebBeds trade only booking sites. WebBeds operates globally through four geographic regions – Europe, Asia Pacific, MEA (Middle East and Africa) and Americas - with over 1,900 travel professionals working in 120 cities across 50 countries worldwide. Find out more about the WebBeds business at www.webbeds.com WebBeds is a travel brand of the Web Travel Group (ASX: WEB). How will you make an impact? The Regional Chains Director is responsible for leading, developing, and executing the regional chain strategy to drive sustainable growth, strengthen strategic partnerships, and increase WebBeds’ market share across assigned regions. This role owns the senior-level relationships with key regional hotel chain partners and provides strategic direction to the Regional Chains team to maximize commercial performance, portfolio expansion, and long-term value creation. Working cross-functionally with Global Chains, Contracting, Partner Success, Supplier Optimization, Connectivity, Sales, and Marketing teams, the Director ensures alignment between regional execution and global chain objectives. The role requires a strong commercial leader with deep industry expertise, strategic vision, and the ability to translate high-level strategy into measurable results. You will: Strategic Partnership & Commercial Leadership • Global Strategy Development: Define targeted, data-driven action plans and design a multi-year strategy roadmap for each partner to achieve ambitious Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), drive substantial incremental business, and significantly increase WebBeds’ global market share. • High-Value Negotiation: Lead complex, strategic contract and commercial (re)negotiations with global chain leadership, ensuring agreements are executed within specified deadlines to secure the best possible commercial terms (including exclusive deals, value-adds, and overrides) that maximize mutual profitability. • Portfolio Growth: Strategically manage existing top-tier chain partnerships and actively prospect and onboard new chain strategic partners globally to strategically expand WebBeds’ supply portfolio. • Executive Relationship Management: Organize and lead Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and monthly engagement sessions with key senior contacts of the Chain Partners, focused on performance analysis, strategy alignment, and maintaining robust, long-term relationships. • Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and coach assigned direct reports (if applicable) and indirect team members, fostering a high-performance, results-driven culture focused on global account management excellence and continuous professional growth. Operational Excellence & Inventory Optimization • Global Product Optimization: Direct the optimization of the chain's global product, inventory, and pricing strategy, leveraging internal resources such as Partner Success, Supplier Optimization, and local Contract Managers to ensure maximum competitiveness and relevance in the market. • Performance Monitoring & Competitiveness: Proactively monitor the chain supplier's performance on a regular basis, including production, pricing, and availability, to ensure best-in-market competitiveness across all regions and platforms. • Connectivity & Onboarding: Collaborate closely with the Supplier Connectivity and IT Teams to successfully onboard new chains via preferred integration methods and ensure the ongoing, robust maintenance of connections for optimal supply delivery. • Escalation & Solution Design: Act as the primary liaison and internal escalation point for assigned chain partners, deconstructing complex availability, service, and technical challenges to develop comprehensive, platform-adaptable solutions. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Market Engagement • Inter-Regional Coordination: Partner with Contracting Teams, Supplier Optimization, and Product teams in all regions, promoting cohesive teamwork and aligning efforts for specific hotel contracting needs and regional performance goals. • Revenue Generation & Promotion: Consult with the leadership team regarding new chain opportunities. Actively negotiate and communicate special deals, flash sales, and additional supply to the WebBeds Sales Team globally to ensure maximum promotional visibility and revenue generation across all platforms. • Market Representation: Represent WebBeds at relevant global tradeshows and networking opportunities to engage existing Chain Partners, prospect new high-value opportunities, and maintain strong industry visibility. • Compliance & Professionalism: Cooperate with the Health and Safety team to ensure compliance requirements are met. Maintain professional and consistent communication both internally and externally in line with corporate guidelines. The skills we would love to see in your suitcase! Educational Foundation: Hospitality Management, Tourism, or a related field is required. Industry Expertise: Deep commercial understanding of the dynamics of global hotel distribution, B2B travel, connectivity standards (e.g., XML/API), and large-scale inventory management. Language Proficiency: Fluency in English (written and verbal) is essential. Proficiency in a second major European language (e.g., German, French, Spanish) is a significant advantage due to the global nature of the role. Regulatory Knowledge: Foundational understanding of relevant global commercial laws and contractual compliance standards. Why choose us as your next destination? We are super proud of our dedicated team of friendly, energetic & passionate professionals. Our people are key to the success of our business & everybody at WebBeds has their own unique role to play as we continue to drive the company forward. Over 50 different languages are spoken by our workforce, but whether working from offices in Dubai or London or out in the field in Johannesburg or Buenos Aires, we all share the common goal to take pride in what we do & to deliver our partners with unbeatable service & support. International highly skilled group of experts from all around the globe 🌎 Dynamic environment with the chance to grow, influence & impact change ⚡ Disruptive, fast-growing market leader within travel & endless possibilities 💼 Culture built on collaboration🤝 empowerment and innovation 💡 Find out more about the WebBeds business at www.webbeds.com - #LI-Hybrid