Senior Business Development Manager

Travel Staff; Des Plaines (IL); On-site; USD 72,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

Travel Staff in Des Plaines, IL seeks a seasoned Business Development Leader to design and scale its new travel advisor relations program. You will build the trade channel from the ground up, turn relationships into revenue, and lead a growing team as the brand expands in the travel space.

You will drive partnerships with independent advisors, host agencies, and consortia, define incentives, and collaborate with marketing and product to create collateral and tools.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of business development, sales, or account management experience.
• Well-established network of travel advisors and trade relationships.
• Self-starter who thrives on building something from the ground up with minimal oversight.
• Experience leading/managing teams.
• Excellent sales, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Comfortable with CRM systems.
• Willingness to travel for advisor visits, trade shows, and industry events (approx. 25% travel).

Responsibilities

• Design and growing the travel advisor and trade partner program.
• Define the structure for advisor incentives, commission arrangements, preferred partner agreements and educational programs.
• Set KPIs to track program performance.
• Proactively identify, prospect, and secure partnerships with independent travel advisors, host agencies, and consortia.
• Partner with internal teams (marketing, product) to develop advisor-facing collateral, sales toolkits, and communications.
• Maintain rigorous CRM discipline to track leads, pipeline, and advisor performance.
• Represent the company at trade shows, conferences and industry events.

Skills

Business development

Sales

Account management

Networking with travel advisors

Team leadership

CRM proficiency

Strategic planning

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Job Summary:

This is a new role for a Tour Operator who wants someone who could lead and scale their first-ever Travel Advisor Relations Program. This role requires setting the strategy, building the trade channel from the ground up, and executing the day-to-day work of turning relationships into revenue. The ideal candidate would be someone who is not afraid to roll up their sleeves and dive in, not only as a Business Development Manager, but someone who has the foresight to build a team while taking ownership of a brand new growth channel.

Responsibilities:

• Design and growing the travel advisor and trade partner program

• Define the structure for advisor incentives, commission arrangements, preferred partner agreements and educational programs

• Set KPIs to track program performance

• Proactively identify, prospect, and secure partnerships with independent travel advisors, host agencies, and consortia

• Partner with internal teams (marketing, product) to develop advisor-facing collateral, sales toolkits, and communications

• Maintain rigorous CRM discipline to track leads, pipeline, and advisor performance

• Represent the company at trade shows, conferences and industry events.

Job Requirements:

• 8+ years' business development, sales, or account management experience

• Possess a well-established network of travel advisors and trade relationships to hit the ground running

• Self-starter who thrives on building something from the ground up with minimal oversight

• Experience leading/managing teams

• Excellent sales, presentation, and interpersonal skills

• Comfortable with CRM systems

• Willingness to travel for advisor visits, trade shows, and industry events (estimated 25% travel)

The "ideal candidate" is someone who:

• Possesses a genuine enthusiasm for the travel industry

• Is flexible, patient, and kind

• Is service-oriented

• Possesses good interpersonal skills and a desire to help grow a respected family business into its next chapter

Compensation:

$85,000 per year