Account Manager - Johannesburg

Booking.com; Gauteng; Hybrid; ZAR 350,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading travel platform in Johannesburg is seeking an Account Manager to build relationships with accommodation partners across South Africa. The ideal candidate will manage a portfolio of partners with a focus on optimizing their business performance. This role involves significant travel and requires strong communication and analytical skills.

Benefits

Performance related bonus

Annual paid time off

Hybrid working arrangements

Private health insurance

Commuting and lunch allowance

Industry leading product discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in partner management ideally in e-commerce or the travel industry.
• Strong communication skills in speaking and writing.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities effectively.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with accommodation partners.
• Analyze local market trends to manage accounts.
• Identify partner needs and deliver tailored support.
• Lead conversations to secure partner commitment.

Skills

Account management experience

Fluent in English

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Job description

About Us

At Booking.com, data drives our decisions. Technology is at our core. And innovation is everywhere. But our company is more than datasets, lines of code or A/B tests. We’re the thrill of the first night in a new place. The excitement of the next morning. The friends you encounter. The journeys you take. The sights you see. And the memories you make. Through our products, partners and people, we make it easier for everyone to experience the world.

Role Description

Our Local Partner Services Team in Johannesburg is looking for an Account Manager (AM) to build strong relationships with accommodation partners across South Africa. In this role, you will advise partners on business performance, market opportunities, and industry trends, while helping them make the most of Booking.com’s systems, tools, and products. By empowering partners to optimize their performance, you’ll directly contribute to creating outstanding experiences for Booking.com’s customers.

As an Account Manager, you will manage your own portfolio of partners across most of South Africa, which requires frequent business travel (typically around 50%).

Key Job Responsibilities and Duties

• Partner communication: Build and maintain strong relationships with partners by communicating clearly, tailoring your style to the audience, and providing consultative guidance.
• Market management: Analyze local market trends and drivers, prioritize opportunities, and manage your portfolio of accounts to maximize business value.
• Needs analysis: Identify and understand partner needs, challenges, and opportunities to deliver tailored support and create measurable value.
• Solution development: Propose relevant Booking.com products, tools, and strategies to partners, positioning solutions in a compelling, mutually beneficial way.
• Driving outcomes: Lead conversations effectively to secure partner commitment and achieve positive results.
• Representation: Act as a trusted ambassador for Booking.com, consistently modeling our values in all interactions.
• Personal growth: Demonstrate self-awareness and emotional intelligence, using feedback and reflection to continually improve your impact with partners and achieve business goals.

You should apply if you

• Bring solid experience in account or partner management, ideally within e-commerce or the travel industry
• Are fluent in English, with strong communication skills in speaking and writing
• Excel at managing your time, setting priorities, and staying organised while handling multiple responsibilities
• Take a proactive approach, show ownership, and are comfortable working independently
• Have sharp analytical skills, attention to detail, and a data-driven mindset
• Enjoy collaborating as part of a team, while remaining flexible, open to change, and self-motivated
• Approach challenges with a positive, solutions-oriented attitude
• Hold a valid driver’s license and are available to travel up to 50% of the time

You shouldn’t apply if you

• Have limited experience managing a large portfolio of partners simultaneously
• Primarily focus on acquiring new partners rather than developing and growing existing relationships
• Find ambiguity or evolving processes difficult to navigate
• Prefer a reactive approach rather than proactively driving outcomes
• Have an inflexible schedule that limits your ability to travel as required (around 50%)

Benefits & Perks

Booking.com’s Total Rewards Philosophy is not only about compensation but also about benefits. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, as well unique-to-Booking.com benefits which include:

• Performance related bonus
• Annual paid time off and generous paid leave scheme including: parent, grandparent, bereavement, and care leave
• Hybrid working including flexible working arrangements, and up to 20 days per year working from abroad (home country)
• Private health insurance, commuting allowance & lunch allowance
• Industry leading product discounts - up to 1400 per year - for yourself, including automatic Genius Level 3 status and Booking.com wallet credit

Inclusion at Booking.com

Inclusion has been a core part of our company culture since day one. This ongoing journey starts with our very own employees, who represent over 140 nationalities and a wide range of ethnic and social backgrounds, genders and sexual orientations.

Take it from our Chief People Officer, Paulo Pisano: “At Booking.com, the diversity of our people doesn’t just build an outstanding workplace, it also creates a better and more inclusive travel experience for everyone. Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. It’s a place where you can make your mark and have a real impact in travel and tech.”

We ensure that colleagues with disabilities are provided the adjustments and tools they need to participate in the job application and interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Application Process

• Let’s go places together: How we Hire
• After a review of your application, the process will consist of: a call with the recruitment, followed by 2 interviews with the hiring team.
• Interviews will be conducted in English
• This role does not come with relocation assistance.

Booking.com is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We strive to move well beyond traditional equal opportunity and work to create an environment that allows everyone to thrive.

Please note: Our Recruitment team is based across different locations in EMEA - please ensure you submit your resume written in English.

Pre-Employment Screening

If your application is successful, your personal data may be used for a pre-employment screening check by a third party as permitted by applicable law. Depending on the vacancy and applicable law, a pre-employment screening may include employment history, education and other information that may be necessary for determining your qualifications and suitability for the position.