Agent Relationship Manager - Europe

Kendrick Recruitment; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking an Agent Relationship Manager to drive growth for a luxury safari travel company based in Cape Town or the UK. This role is crucial as it involves developing new business, maintaining key partnerships, and promoting high-end travel services. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in the African travel industry, strong relationship-building skills, and familiarity with the European market. A flexible working style and a passion for conservation-driven travel are also essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in the African travel industry.
• Proven ability to sell complex services within luxury travel.
• Familiarity with the European safari trade landscape.

Responsibilities

• Drive new business growth and reactivate dormant accounts.
• Maintain and grow relationships with existing agent partners.
• Monitor market trends and report insights to inform strategy.

Skills

Relationship development

Solution-based selling

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Networking

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM platforms

Business intelligence tools (e.g., PowerBI)

Job description

Agent Relationship Manager – Europe | Luxury Safari Travel Company | UK or Cape Town Based

Location

UK or Cape Town based

Property Type

Luxury Safari Travel Company

Salary

Negotiable DOE

Position Overview

Kendrick Recruitment is seeking a commercially driven Agent Relationship Manager – Europe to join a prestigious luxury safari travel company. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving new business growth, reactivating dormant accounts, and nurturing long-term value from existing trade partners across Europe. Reporting to the Head of Agent Relationships, this role is pivotal in promoting the company’s high-end camps, lodges, and comprehensive destination management services.

Key Responsibilities

New Business Development & Expansion

• Identify and qualify high-potential new trade partners across Europe aligned with the company’s premium safari positioning.
• Lead outreach campaigns and relationship-building initiatives focused on converting new partners.
• Develop compelling presentations that highlight the company’s DMC proposition, including itinerary management, operational expertise, and value-added services.
• Re-engage dormant or lapsed partners, demonstrating service innovations and improvements.
• Attend trade shows, roadshows, and industry events to generate new leads and increase brand awareness.

Account Growth, Relationship Management & DMC Exposure

• Maintain and grow relationships with existing agent partners, promoting the full-service safari planning and DMC support.
• Position the company’s value proposition consistently through product updates, trainings, account reviews, and marketing collaborations.
• Develop customised strategies to help agents sell a broader range of services, increasing reliance on the company as a one-stop safari partner.
• Co‑develop sales enablement tools, training content, and digital assets.

Strategic Sales Planning & Market Intelligence

• Monitor and report on market trends, competitor offerings, and buyer expectations.
• Share insights to shape global messaging and agent engagement strategies.
• Deliver market‑specific business reviews, including KPIs, reactivation efforts, and service uptake.

Additional Responsibilities

• Provide input for product innovation, system development, and service delivery improvements.
• Manage travel and sales budgets in line with performance targets.
• Support internal knowledge‑sharing and cross‑department collaboration on agent needs.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in the African travel industry.
• Proven ability to sell and position complex services, ideally within luxury travel, safari operations, or destination management sectors.
• Strong B2B relationship development and solution‑based selling skills.
• Familiarity with the European safari trade landscape and an existing network of contacts is highly desirable.
• Track record of securing new trade partnerships and reactivating dormant relationships with measurable outcomes.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and storytelling skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, CRM platforms, and business intelligence tools (e.g., PowerBI).
• Digitally confident and professional across communication and collaboration platforms.
• High integrity, passion for conservation‑driven travel, and a self‑starting approach.

Work Practices & Requirements

• Promote a best‑in‑class image externally with clients and internally with stakeholders.
• Uphold company values including integrity, dedication to service, teamwork, and going the extra mile.
• Flexible to attend staff events during working hours and participate in Training & Development programmes.
• Work 9 hours per day, including a one‑hour lunch break, with flexibility according to team needs.
• Overtime may be required during peak periods, compensated with time off in lieu.
• Travel may be required for hosting agent fam trips, attending offsite meetings, and trade shows locally or internationally.
• Must have a valid driver’s licence and reliable mode of transport.

This is a unique opportunity for a commercially focused and relationship‑driven professional to drive European market growth for a luxury safari travel company, representing the brand at the highest level across key trade partners.