Luxury Travel Contracts Lead — Strategic Partnerships

AES Global; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

AES Global in Cape Town is seeking a Contracting Manager to shape its luxury travel offering through strategic supplier partnerships and commercial negotiations. You’ll build partnerships with hotels, lodges, transport providers and activity operators, and negotiate agreements that protect the business and create value for guests.

Based in Cape Town, you’ll drive commercial performance through overrides, bednight commitments, and value-added opportunities while collaborating with internal teams

Qualifications

• 3–5 years’ minimum experience in procurement, contracting or supplier management within a DMC environment.
• Specialised experience with a travel booking system, and a strong analytical understanding of systems and data.
• An innovative mindset for using AI and automation to improve process efficiency.
• Exceptional negotiation, interpersonal and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain partnerships with hotels, lodges, transport providers and activity operators to secure rates and opportunities.
• Negotiate agreements that protect the business and create value for guests.
• Drive commercial performance through override agreements and value-added opportunities.
• Collaborate with internal teams to align agreements with business goals.
• Track supplier performance and contract profitability with data-driven recommendations.

Skills

Procurement experience

Travel booking system

Data analytics

AI/automation mindset

Negotiation

Interpersonal skills

Influencing skills

Education

Degree/Diploma in Tourism/Commerce/Contracting

Job description

AES Global in Cape Town is seeking a Contracting Manager to shape its luxury travel offering through strategic supplier partnerships and commercial negotiations. You’ll build partnerships with hotels, lodges, transport providers and activity operators, and negotiate agreements that protect the business and create value for guests.

Based in Cape Town, you’ll drive commercial performance through overrides, bednight commitments, and value-added opportunities while collaborating with internal teams