Account Manager

Edge Executive Search Group; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A corporate travel management company in South Africa is seeking an Account Manager (Client Business Manager) to enhance client relationships and drive account growth. This role involves contract management, data analysis, and strategic planning to ensure client objectives are met in a hybrid work environment. Applicants should have experience in customer relations, strong skills in data handling, and excellent communication abilities.

Qualifications

• Experience in customer relations, preferably in travel or tourism.
• Advanced skills in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills required.
• Commercial acumen with an eye for margin drivers.
• Ability to work proactively and organize effectively.

Responsibilities

• Manage contracts and SLAs, ensuring compliance and tracking obligations.
• Build strategic account plans and measure delivery against KPIs.
• Analyze MI to identify savings and compliance improvements.
• Coordinate stakeholders to implement initiatives.
• Drive client communications and manage quarterly reviews.

Skills

Customer relations

Account management

Data analysis

Negotiation skills

Presentation skills

Fluent English

Education

Grade 12 (Matric)

2–3 years in travel/tourism

1+ year in account management

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Account Manager (Client Business Manager)

Location: South Africa (Hybrid)
Type: Permanent
Remuneration: Market?related

Turn travel programmes into measurable value.

Retain, grow and elevate every client account.

About the Role

You’ll own a portfolio of corporate travel clients—retaining and expanding the relationship through sharp commercial thinking, disciplined contract/SLA management, and data?led insights. From quarterly business reviews to strategic account plans, you’ll translate client objectives into practical actions that improve savings, service and compliance while driving profitable growth.

Expect a blend of analysis, planning and hands?on delivery: interrogating MI, benchmarking travel patterns, spotting opportunities, coordinating internal teams and ensuring payment terms, governance and reporting are consistently met.

Who the Client Is

A well?established corporate travel management company serving enterprise customers across Africa and globally. Known for rigorous account management, robust reporting and technology?enabled solutions that deliver safety, savings and a better traveller experience.

What You’ll Do

• Manage contracts and SLAs: clarify scope and pricing, prepare contract summaries, track obligations and conduct quarterly/bi?annual reviews.

• Build and execute strategic account plans aligned to the client’s culture, objectives and market conditions; measure delivery against agreed KPIs.

• Analyse MI and travel patterns to identify savings, compliance and service improvements; benchmark against best practice and market rates.

• Coordinate internal stakeholders (operations, finance, procurement, marketing, yield/air & hotel) to land initiatives and close actions.

• Lead client communications: plan and run QBRs/ABRs, prepare decks and minutes, document scope changes and follow through to resolution.

• Drive programme projects (as relevant): travel policy optimisation, air/hotel programme design, expense management and process reviews.

• Ensure commercial hygiene: monitor revenue and margins, support collections/reconciliations and keep accounts within agreed payment terms.

• Promote adoption of client?facing technology and reporting tools; quantify ROI and communicate “soft value” where relevant.

• Maintain a multi?level stakeholder map within each client (Finance, Procurement, Travel, Executives) to secure retention and growth.

What You Bring

• Grade 12 (Matric) plus 2–3 years in customer relations within travel/tourism; 1+ year in account management preferred.

• Advanced Excel/PowerPoint/Word; comfortable interrogating data and building persuasive, visual reports.

• Clear communicator with strong negotiation and presentation skills; fluent business English.

• Commercial acumen with an eye for margin drivers and cost?saving opportunities.

• Collaborative, proactive and organised; can prioritise, meet deadlines and handle escalations professionally.

• Willing to work occasional after?hours for reviews/events and travel regionally/internationally as needed.

What Success Looks Like

• High retention with measured account growth and documented strategic plans in place.

• On?time, accurate MI and QBRs that lead to tangible savings, improved compliance and traveller experience.

• Contracts and SLAs honoured with clear scope control and strong audit readiness.

• Healthy revenue/margin performance; aged debt reduced and payment terms consistently met.

• Trusted, multi?level relationships with clients and seamless coordination across internal teams.

Realistic Preview: Rewards & Challenges

You’ll balance client value with commercial outcomes in a deadline?driven, data?heavy environment. Expect travel, occasional after?hours reviews and cross?functional coordination. The reward is clear impact—visible savings, happier travellers and sustainable growth for both client and provider.