Area Contracting Manager

HBX Group; Bristol; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global travel solutions provider located in the UK is seeking a strategic leader to manage supplier contracting within the car rental category. The role involves negotiating complex agreements, leading a dynamic team, and executing commercial strategies to optimize performance and profitability. Candidates should possess strong negotiation skills, a deep understanding of the travel industry, and the ability to foster robust relationships. This position offers the chance to play a pivotal role in a company undergoing significant transformation and growth.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead and motivate teams while maintaining high performance standards.
• Strong negotiation skills, especially with complex legal and commercial contracts.
• Ability to evaluate deals and make informed decisions to drive revenue growth.
• Experience in developing and executing regional contracting strategies.
• Familiarity with the travel and hospitality industries and technology.
• Strong internal and external relationship management skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop a high-performing team for car rental supplier contracting.
• Negotiate agreements with suppliers, including legal and operational terms.
• Evaluate and improve commercial strategies for better profitability.
• Monitor supplier compliance with internal standards and contracts.
• Serve as the main contact for commercial negotiations and amendments.
• Collaborate with teams to ensure supplier compliance with health and safety.
• Identify opportunities to enhance product offerings and competitive positioning.

Skills

Team Management

Negotiation Expertise

Commercial Acumen

Strategic Thinking

Industry Knowledge

Relationship Management

Communication Skills

Job description

About Us

HBX Group is the world’s leading technological partner, connecting and empowering the world of travel. We’re game-changers, disruptors, the people who bring together local and global brands in accommodation, transport, activities and payments through our network of 300,000 hotels worldwide, 60,000 hard-to-reach high-value clients such as tour operators, travel agents and loyalty schemes across 140 source markets. We are tech-driven, with a customer-first philosophy, and commercial teams whose knowledge and relationships on the ground are second to none. And of course, we have an amazing team! Our people, Team HBX Group, are the beating heart of the company who we encourage to ‘move fast, dream big and make the difference’ every day. In fact, we believe that it is tech + data + people that truly sets us apart in the market, alongside our ‘global approach, local touch’ mentality.

Job Summary

We are seeking a strategic and commercially driven professional to lead supplier contracting and team management within the car rental category. This role requires strong leadership to guide a high-performing team, ensure operational excellence, and maintain accountability. You will oversee all supplier relationships, negotiate complex agreements—including legal and liability clauses—with top companies, and deliver optimal commercial outcomes. The position demands a balance of strategic thinking and hands-on execution to secure competitive deals, maximize margins, and drive revenue growth.

Responsibilities

• Team Leadership : Manage and develop a strong team responsible for contracting all car rental suppliers. Conduct regular 1 : 1s and foster a collaborative, results-driven environment. Lead quarterly car rental reviews and ensure team alignment with business objectives.
• Contract Negotiation : Negotiate agreements with leading suppliers, covering legal liability clauses, commercial terms, and operational conditions. Ensure contracts meet compliance standards and protect company interests.
• Commercial Strategy : Evaluate deals with a numbers-driven approach, balancing margin, revenue, and strategic trade-offs. Identify opportunities to improve profitability and competitive positioning.
• Develop regional contracting strategy with the region leader and translate it into clear execution plans for the team.
• Monitor supplier performance and ensure compliance with internal governance, audit, and contractual frameworks.
• Act as the main point of contact for commercial matters, including contract negotiations, amendments, and promotional activities.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure suppliers meet health and safety requirements and deliver agreed SLAs.
• Identify new opportunities to expand product coverage and strengthen competitive positioning in the region.

Skillset and Experience Required

• Team Management : Proven ability to lead and motivate teams, address challenges, and maintain high standards of performance.
• Negotiation Expertise : Strong influencing and negotiation skills with experience handling complex legal and commercial clauses.
• Commercial Acumen : Ability to assess what constitutes a good deal, make informed trade-offs, and drive margin and revenue growth.
• Strategic Thinking : Ability to develop and execute regional contracting strategies.
• Industry Knowledge : Solid experience and commercial understanding of the travel and hospitality industries, key competitors, and related technology.
• Relationship Management : Proven ability to build strong internal and external relationships using an open and consultative approach.
• Communication Skills : Highly developed verbal, written, and presentation skills.

At HBX Group, we believe that diversity drives innovation and makes travel a force for good.

We're committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected, embracing different backgrounds, perspectives, and talents. Join us and be part of a team where diversity and equal opportunities really do make a difference.

You will have the opportunity to work for a company that is going through significant change in becoming the world´s leading travel services provider. We are looking for people that are ready to ride the wave in this exciting journey.