SRR - Travel Trade Manager (HEO)

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A British governmental department is seeking a Travel Trade Manager in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This full-time position involves leading VisitBritain's travel trade engagement strategy, managing key account relationships, and coordinating travel trade events. Candidates should have a solid sales background, experience in key account management, and strong communication skills in both Arabic and English. The role offers a competitive salary and the possibility of contract renewal.

Benefits

Housing allowance

Travel allowance

Visa sponsorship

Qualifications

• Solid experience in sales and/or commercial background.
• Experience of key account management in the KSA market.
• Proven experience in the development and delivery of travel trade programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the travel trade business plan for Saudi Arabia.
• Maintain relationships with travel trade partners.
• Manage airline accounts operating in Saudi Arabia.

Skills

Sales experience

Key account management

Customer focus

Communication skills in Arabic

Communication skills in English

Organizational skills

Knowledge of Microsoft Office

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require. Job Category Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas) Job Subcategory Visit Britain Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for Travel Trade Manager , job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO), under . This is for a fixed term contract of one (1) year with a possibility of renewal depending on operational requirements.

Based in the British Embassy in Riyadh, this role will lead on the development and execution of VisitBritain’s travel trade engagement strategy in Saudi Arabia. The role will have a focus on leading key account engagement with KSA travel trade partners and prominent UK industry stakeholders.ing best opportunities for VisitBritain, as well as development and distribution of UK products and tailoring programmes accordingly to ensure Britain product is being sold to the right customer at the right time.

In addition, the role will liaise closely with the aviation lead at the British Embassy Riyadh and local Consular representatives, identifying opportunities to promote airline initiatives such as inaugural flights and route development.

Roles and responsibilities

Strategic understanding and profiling of the market

• Lead and deliver the travel trade business plan for Saudi Arabia with a focus on growing new business, product development and increasing sales value.
• Maintain and grow relationships with travel trade partners through a robust Key Account Management (KAM) program, ensuring all engagements are recorded in a fully profiled database (CRM).
• Use an evidence-based approach to identify and prospective KSA travel trade partners, ensuring VB’s strategic objectives are met.
• Identify UK destination and product gaps within partner programmes and implement a strategic plan to grow product within partner programmes. Closely monitor competing destinations B2B and B2C activities and make recommendations to ensure the UK maintains its competitive advantage.

Aviation-airline liaison

• Manage airline accounts operating in Saudi Arabia with routes to Britain.
• Identify new areas for business development and opportunities to support airline promotional activities.

Strategic interventions with partners : Travel trade, UK industry, and Public Diplomacy Partners

• Coordinate priority key accounts, implementing strategic interventions to increase the promotion and sales of Great Britain. Activities include but not limited to : Agent training / workshopsEducational (FAM trips)Sales missionsTravel trade eventsHigh-quality market intelligenceB2B communications (newsletters, WhatsApp etc.)
• Build strong relations with VisitBritain’s destination partners, UK industry and DMCs.
• Build strong relations with Public Diplomacy Partners (PDPs) and be the first point of contact for our partnersin the British Embassy in Riyadh, British Council, Department of Business and Trade (DBT), and UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
• Provide support to the Senior Manager GCC and London Travel Trade team.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible as specific responsibilities could change in the future, and this would be at the discretion of the line manager or head of section. The jobholder will be required to travel to Dubai regularly as well as to the UK.

• Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
• Delivering at Pace - Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
• Working Together - Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• Solid experience in sales and / or commercial background with a thorough understanding of tourism or related sector.
• Experience of key account management in the KSA market, together with strong negotiation, influencing, and representational skills.
• Strong customer focus and ability to deliver quality service.
• Proven experience in the development and delivery of travel trade engagement programmes including the coordination / project management of travel trade events, missions, fam trips, workshops etc.
• Sound knowledge of Britain’s tourism offering (destinations and product) and network of contacts across travel trade in KSA.
• Team player who can work on their autonomously as well as cross-collaborate with teams and stakeholders in multiple locations.
• Excellent communication skills in Arabic and English, both verbal and written.
• Excellent organisational skills, including ability to organise and prioritise workload.
• Proven track record of experience with database and CRM systems.
• Strong IT skills and well-versed in the use of Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams).

Required behaviours Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Working Together

Application deadline 16 November 2025 Grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO) Type of Position Full-time, Fixed Term Working hours per week 35 Duration of Post 12 months Region Middle East & North Africa Country / Territory Saudi Arabia Location (City) Riyadh Type of Post British Embassy Number of vacancies 1 Salary Currency SAR Salary 20,460.00 Type of Salary monthly Start Date 15 December 2025 Other benefits and conditions of employment

Eligibility :

• The British Embassy provides visa sponsorship. The British Embassy will be able to employ you on the condition that we are able to obtain the required residence and work permit in Saudi.
• If you already have the right to work and reside in Saudi (iqama), you will be required to transfer your visa under the Embassy’s sponsorship.

Working hours and remuneration :

The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role.

Monthly salary details :

• Base Salary - SAR 15,968.00
• Housing Allowance - SAR 3,992.00 (subject to eligibility)
• Travel Allowance - SAR 500.00 (subject to eligibility)
• Total - SAR 20,460.00
• Allowances are not payable to staff who receive official provision for such expenditure in some other form. Spouses / Dependants of UKBS officers working at the Embassy are not eligible to Housing or Travel Allowance.

No accommodation nor relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

This position is for a fixed term contract for one (1) year. The British Embassy Riyadh employs Country Based Staff in line with Saudi Labour Law. Local law specifies that contracts must be issued for a fixed period (one year). Contracts for full time positions are renewable at the end of the term.

This position is full-time, based on 35 hours per week. Normal working hours for the Embassy are from 08 : 00 to 15 : 00 from Sunday to Thursday, with core working hours from 10 : 00-15 : 00. Core working hours is the period of the day that employees are required to be at work. The working day outside of the core hours is a flexible period, which allows employees to choose when they work, subject to operational needs.

Flexible working arrangements may be considered based on operational requirements and agreement with the line manager, and in line with FCDO and Embassy policies.

The successful candidate will be subject to a 90-day probationary period.

The successful candidate will be required to transfer their iqama under the Embassy’s sponsorship.

This position is subject to VisitBritain’s Terms and Conditions and may differ from the Embassy’s Terms and Conditions.