Account Director, Travel Trade

Account Director

Travel TradeAt MMGY Global, we believe nothing shapes your view of the world like travel. Every day, we bring our clients' stories to life in ways that inspire people to see the world differently. Our personalized service and strategy connect media, consumers and influencers across the globe, taking people to new places and changing their view for the better. At MMGY, we inspire people to go places. MMGY has an immediate opening for an Account Director in our Los Angeles office who's looking to go places. This role is an integral part of MMGY's Representation Services division, which develops integrated marketing and sales solutions for international destination clients. With established offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and other cities across the country, our division crafts strategic plans spanning consumer marketing, public relations, social media, and travel trade engagement. We represent international tourist offices such as South Australia, Rwanda, Madeira, and Costa Rica, among others.The Account Director

Travel Trade is a senior leadership role responsible for driving strategy, managing client portfolios, and spearheading travel trade engagement and marketing initiatives. The ideal candidate is a dynamic, strategic thinker who thrives under pressure and excels at cultivating strong partnerships with clients, travel suppliers, airlines, tour operators, and industry stakeholders. This individual brings a deep knowledge of the travel distribution landscape, a passion for long-haul destinations, and the leadership skills to inspire high-performing teams.Responsibilities:Lead strategy, development, and implementation of integrated client marketing, travel trade, and PR programsSpearhead the build-out and oversight of trade relations strategies with tour operators, consortiums, travel agents, wholesalers, airlines, and other industry partnersDirect and conduct high-level sales calls and training programs with tour operators and travel agents to maximize trade engagementLead the development and implementation of annual sales and marketing plans with a strong focus on integration, conversion, and budget optimizationOversee on-and-offline trade and consumer marketing campaigns, including content, native, and digital OTA campaignsSteward campaign reporting with a rigorous focus on conversion metrics and ROI deliveryIdentify client challenges and critical areas for improved service delivery; provide proactive strategic counselDevelop and maintain senior-level client relationships, serving as a trusted advisor and primary point of contactSupervise account teams and lead day-to-day account activities, including weekly internal planning meetingsMonitor program timelines and client budgets to ensure maximum efficiency and profitabilityOversee agency output to ensure quality control and measurable client ROIProvide creative direction to the account group, including the development of innovative marketing programs, promotions, partnerships, and activationsIdentify and develop opportunities for cross-agency collaboration to elevate the scope and impact of client workLead client and stakeholder presentations, translating complex data and strategies into compelling narrativesEstablish and maintain high-level travel trade and media contacts; oversee strategic initiatives to engage these groupsStay current on the latest travel, consumer, and marketing trends and leverage insights to client advantageSupervise and mentor junior and mid-level team members, fostering a culture of growth and excellenceMaintain open and proactive communication with Vice President and senior leadershipRequirements:BA/BS degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Tourism Management or a related field69+ years of experience in travel, tourism, or lifestyle marketing, with direct client management experienceHigh-level knowledge of travel trade channels and established industry contactsDemonstrated experience managing and overseeing integrated marketing budgetsStrong understanding of the travel trade landscape and media relationsExtensive knowledge of on-and-offline marketing channels within the tourism sectorSolid understanding of digital advertising metrics, OTA campaigns, and conversion reportingAdvanced written and verbal communication skills; proficient writer and editorProven ability to think strategically about sales and marketing activitiesSuperior people skills with the ability to lead, mentor, and inspire teamsExceptional organizational and multi-tasking abilitiesComfortable working across multiple time zones as required by client needsProficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)Must possess a valid passport; ability to travel domestically and internationallyCreative thinker, self-starter, and problem solver with a good sense of humor and a genuine love for travelPreferred Qualifications:Previous experience with international tourist boards or destination marketing organizations (DMOs)Deep understanding of travel distribution channels, including GDS, OTAs, and consortiumsExperience developing and executing integrated sales and marketing campaigns across multiple disciplinesTrack record in digital media and consumer marketing campaigns for tourism clientsExperience marketing long-haul destinations such as Africa, Latin America, the South Pacific, or AsiaTravel Requirements:This role requires approximately 2530% travel, both domestically and internationally, including trade events, client site visits, and sales missions.Salary Range: $90 - 98k + BONUSMMGY Global provides a comprehensive PTO + benefits package inclusive of a hybrid telework policy. Applicants for employment in the U.S. must possess work authorization which does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa. MMGY Global is an Equal Opportunity Employer.